Dance students' 'Stand Out' performance brings the house down at Greenwich Little Theatre

: Created: 11 April 2019

A full house enjoyed the hugely entertaining contemporary, street and lyrical dance extravaganza featuring group and solo performances throughout the hour-long spectacle.

The show was the culmination of a project to make students aware of the various roles and responsibilities required to put on a show and market it to a real audience. This requires the financing, the public relations, stage management, set and costume design, lighting and technical services, props and - of course - the actual business of dancing and choreography.

Their tutor, professional dancer, choreographer and singer Katerina Sleiman wanted the business unit to incorporate an end-point that would give the students the opportunity to do what they do best - perform.

Katerina said: “Despite the fact that all future performers and entertainers need more than just a basic knowledge of the workings and mechanics of putting on a show, you simply can’t ignore the real reasons most of them want to work in this industry - they want to dance and show the public just what they can do. With this in mind, we made the unit conclude with a show in the College’s very own Greenwich Little Theatre.

“Each member of the group was given a specific role that they had to research and fulfil in order to pass the unit and progress onto their level 3 course at the end of the year. There were dance captains, stage managers and technicians, marketing and PR executives - you name it, we had it. They worked in teams and were given responsibility and ownership. It worked so well.

“As all of my students know, I have my very own motto - ‘don’t fit in - stand out’. This was used as the title of the show - ‘Stand Out’, and that is just what they did. I can’t praise the team enough for what I see as an outstanding effort by them all.”

Lucas Tutuiana is part of the group and wants to become a professional dancer one day. He performed two solo pieces on the night as well acting as props manager and choreographer. He said: “It’s amazing how much you learn by being entrusted with a specific duty - one that is essential to the success of the project. The reason I have enjoyed working towards this show is because of the big prize at the end. This is what it is all about and the feeling of accomplishment and euphoria just cannot be matched.”

Fellow dancer, Shinice Davidson also played a central part in the show’s success by being in charge of marketing. She said: “We have worked very hard to make sure all the seats were full for both performances and that people from far and wide heard about us. I’ve learnt lots about how to ensure good publicity and selling to the public a product that you truly believe in. On the night, it felt good playing to an audience that you have helped to bring in.”

If you think you have what it takes to become a professional dancer, actor, set designer or make-up artist and build a successful career in the theatre or film and TV industries, we’d like to hear from you. We have a great range of courses to get you started. Come along to one of our Open Events.