They have been selected as part of the cast of English Youth Ballet’s (EYB’s) Sleeping Beauty.
The cast were selected in an online audition where videos of the young dancers had to be submitted to English Youth Ballet. Over 150 young dancers auditioned for the opportunity.
The young cast will have rehearsed for 60 hours over 10 days of rehearsals at weekends.
The rehearsals take place at Rushcliffe Spencer Academy.
At rehearsals, the dancers experience the working life of a professional dancer. EYB take over three large rehearsal spaces in the school that are used simultaneously. Rehearsals always start with 3 company classes for the dancers to warm-up. The dancers need to keep an eye on the complex rehearsal timetable throughout the day.
The whole cast of young dancers are super excited, as they will perform alongside international professional dancers in English Youth Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty at the Theatre Royal Nottingham from Fri 22 – Sat 23 July 2022.
Hannah Jones,12 goes to West Bridgford School.
She is training at the Sandra Taylor School of Dance in West Bridgford.
We asked her about her dancing and the chance to perform with EYB:
Hannah said:
‘At the age of seven I started dance lessons. I was interested in the way that dancers moved and flowed to the music.
‘I think about dancing a lot, as it is a passion of mine. When the hard work pays off and you are so pleased with the finished dance.
‘When performing on stage and the people watching are applauding and clapping. You feel such a sense of accomplishment and joy. it is a highlight of being a dancer.
‘Leading up to the Sleeping Beauty show, each day I am excited to see the combined efforts of the dancers at EYB and wondering what the finished show will look like. ‘
‘On 27th of June I competed with my school in the Nationals Great Big Dance Off. Also this week I am doing my grade 5 LAMDA drama exam.
‘In my spare time I love drawing and art.’
EYB Principal – Lyndsey Fraser will be starring as Aurora in the production. Before joining EYB she danced with the Vienna Festival Ballet.
She said:
“I wish I had danced with EYB when I was young.
“The dancers learn so much about performance skills and the artistry of ballet.
“I love working as a principal dancer with EYB because I get to dance fantastic roles and teach and watch the young dancers progress.
“The sets and costumes in the production are superb and the whole experience is one the young dancers (and the audiences) will never forget!”
