About the Showcase
7pm Saturday 16 December 2023
at Brighton Performing Arts Centre
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Tickets on sale Saturday 21 October
Early bird ticket price ends Saturday 25 November
The Student Showcase gives our students a meaningful opportunity to grow and showcase their talents. It is a powerful motivator, giving our dancers a clear goal to work towards and a platform to display their hard-earned skills.
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It's a joyous occasion where students can proudly share their passion with family and friends. The event is a lot of fun, and creates a special kind of connection and camaraderie between dancers.
Through our student showcase, we celebrate each and every dancer who takes to the stage, and whatever point they are at in their dance journey.
Showcase theme
From Silver Screen and Centre Stage: Jewels and Dance Musicals
This year's showcase will be a celebration of dance musicals and neoclassical ballet that has graced stages and screens. Our aim is to take you on a journey through some of the best dance productions from the twentieth century.
Jewels
A neoclassical ballet by George Balanchine
Neoclassical ballet is a dynamic and innovative dance style that blends the elegance and technical precision of classical ballet with a contemporary and abstract approach, often focusing on pure movement and geometric patterns. One of the most well known neoclassical ballets, Jewels, by George Balanchine, and our ballet students will be dancing to extracts from it. George Balanchine's "Jewels" holds a unique place in the history of ballet as the first three-act abstract ballet ever created. Breaking away from narrative storytelling, this revolutionary masterpiece takes inspiration from precious gemstones, showcasing three distinct segments, each inspired by a different jewel. 💎 1. "Emeralds": A delicate and romantic ballet, evoking the elegance of French Romanticism, set to music by Fauré. It transports us to the poetic essence of 19th-century ballet, with graceful movements that embody the lushness of emerald green. 💎 2. "Rubies": Bursting with exuberant energy, "Rubies" captures the spirit of American exuberance, using Stravinsky's vibrant and jazzy score. This dazzling section celebrates the vivaciousness and brilliance of rubies, with neoclassical flair. 💎 3. "Diamonds": Embodied with regal grandeur, "Diamonds" pays homage to the opulence of Russian Imperial ballet, accompanied by Tchaikovsky's majestic music. This part highlights the beauty and brilliance of diamonds, embracing the essence of classical ballet.
Chicago
A classic Bob Fosse musical set in the 1920s and telling the story of two ambitious murderesses
"Chicago" is a renowned musical set in the roaring twenties, telling the dark and captivating story of two murderesses who vie for the spotlight in pursuit of fame and acquittal. Featuring the choreography of the legendary Bob Fosse, Chicago is one of the most iconic dance musicals of all time. Fosse's distinct style blends jazz, vaudeville, and burlesque elements. Fosse's choreography for "Chicago" features angular and precise movements, adding a seductive and stylized element to the dance numbers, which remains a defining characteristic of the show. It premiered on Broadway on 3 June 1975, and was groundbreaking for its unique concept of a "show within a show," and its cynical and satirical portrayal of the media's influence on the pursuit of celebrity justice, making it a sharp commentary on the sensationalism of the media and the corruption of the criminal justice system. When it opened in 1975, Chicago received mixed reviews and ran for 2 years, but the revival in 1996 was an unprecedented success. The revival has since become the longest-running American musical in Broadway history, and its influence has been felt in theaters worldwide. Chicago was made into a movie that premiered in 2002, starring Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zita-Jones, and Richard Gere. The film won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Worldwide, Chicago was the highest grossing live action musical with $306 million, a record that was then broken by Mamma Mia! Fosse's choreography is a favourite with many jazz dancers, and Chicago is one of his most renowned and popular works.
Hairspray
Hairspray takes us back to the early days of television and America
Bright, fun and packed with foot-tapping fabulous music, Hairspray is the poster musical for racial equality, positive body image, and challenging gender stereotyping. Set in the 1960s, Hairspray takes us back to the early days of television and America on the cusp of racial the breakdown of racial segregation. The central character is Tracy Turnblad, a young woman with big dreams, as she challenges societal norms and fights for integration and equality in the racially segregated 1960s Baltimore. Premiering on Broadway on August 15, 2002, "Hairspray" broke new ground with its powerful social message and infectious music, offering a fresh perspective on the civil rights movement and celebrating body positivity and diversity on the stage. The 2007 film of Hairspray saw the comeback of John Travolta, as Tracey's mother. The film was critically and financially successful, breaking the record for the highest-grossing opening weekend for a movie musical, It's going to be so much fun! I bet the audience will barely be able to stay in their seats.
Grease
A nostalgic rock 'n' roll music about being a teen in the 1950s
"Grease" is set in the 1950s, following the love story of Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson as they navigate the challenges of high school life and young romance. The Movie exploring themes of love, friendship, peer pressure, and identity. Its relatable portrayal of teenage life has resonated with audiences of all ages. This musical is so full of fun and great music. While "Grease" is often remembered for its fun and catchy songs, it also touches on social issues of its time, such as the generation gap, teenage rebellion, and the challenges of navigating peer pressure and societal expectations. Premiering on Broadway on 14 February 1972, "Grease" broke new ground by revitalizing the popularity of musicals with a nostalgic, rock 'n' roll-infused score and a relatable storyline that resonated with audiences of all ages. The movie Grease was released in 1978. The movie became a massive cultural phenomenon, sparking a global fascination with the 1950s and creating a nostalgic wave for that era. The enduring popularity of "Grease" is evident through its continuous presence in theaters and productions worldwide. Numerous stage revivals, school productions, and community theatre adaptations have kept the musical alive and loved by audiences for decades.
Saturday night fever
A snapshot in time of the disco age
"Saturday Night Fever" is a legendary dance musical that captures the disco era's electrifying spirit. The film was released in 1977, and premiered on Broadway 1999. The musical was groundbreaking for its fusion of a gripping narrative with infectious disco hits, becoming a cultural phenomenon that brought the disco fever back to life and redefined the concept of dance-based theatrical productions. The Saturday Night Fever soundtrack by the Bee Gees is one of the best selling soundtracks worldwide, and with good reason. Smash hits like Staying Alive, Night Fever, You Should Be Dancing, Disco Inferno are just a few of the amazing songs from this musical. In 2010, Saturday Night Fever was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
A Chorus Line
An insight into auditioning for a musical on Broadway
When it premiered on Broadway in 1975, "A Chorus Line" introduced a unique and innovative format. The musical is a backstage look at the lives of Broadway dancers auditioning for a spot in a chorus line, giving a voice to the often-unsung heroes of musical theatre. It was one of the first major Broadway productions to delve into the personal stories and struggles of ensemble performers. "A Chorus Line" achieved unparalleled success, running for 15 years on Broadway and becoming the longest-running musical in Broadway history until "Cats" surpassed it in 1997. It won numerous awards, including nine Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, highlighting its artistic and critical acclaim. The musical featured a diverse cast, addressing issues of race, sexuality, body image, and personal background. By showcasing characters from different backgrounds and experiences, "A Chorus Line" broke ground in promoting representation and inclusivity on the Broadway stage. Michael Bennett, the director and choreographer of "A Chorus Line," played a crucial role in shaping the show's success. He conducted extensive interviews with real-life Broadway dancers, using their stories as inspiration to create the characters and narrative of the musical. Bennett's innovative choreography, like in the iconic opening number "I Hope I Get It," added to the show's distinctiveness. "A Chorus Line" significantly influenced the future of musical theatre. It inspired the development of more character-driven, emotionally impactful shows, breaking away from traditional, formulaic Broadway productions.