Congratulations to the pupils selected for Shone Productions‘ Christmas pantomime at Rotherham Civic Theatre! Well done to all our pupils who auditioned today.
The team who will be part of the Snow White cast this Christmas is: Isabel Adshead, Hêlin Arslan, Abigail Bridger, Megan Bridger, Grace Mitchell, Niamh Thompson, Evie Wright and Laylah Xaba.
We’re very much looking forward to watching the girls in action!
Shone Productions are looking for a team of seven juvenile dancers for their pantomime Snow White this Christmas at the Rotherham Civic Theatre.
Auditions will be held Monday 5th September at 6.30pm at St Thomas More Church, please arrive by 6.15pm to register.
The children must be committed and attend all rehearsals and performance dates for their team.
Rehearsal Dates
– Sunday 11th September: 12:00 – 4:00pm
– Sunday 9th October: 12:00 – 4:00pm
– Sunday 6th November: 12:00 – 4:00pm
Technical Rehearsals: Saturday 26th until Wednesday 30th November
Rehearsal times are to be confirmed. Additional rehearsals may be added if required. All information including performance schedule will be given out at the first rehearsal.
The children will be performing as dancers and dwarfs. The dwarf heads can sometimes make the children feel very hot; they will be worn for most of the dance routines. The children need to be made aware of this before attending the audition.
Anyone wishing to attend please register your interest with Miss Rebecca.
Over the course of these summer holidays, 12 of our pupils were lucky enough to attend the summer schools of professional dance colleges, Urdang Academy in London and Phil Winston’s Theatreworks in Blackpool.
Alexandra O’Brien, Jack Skelton & Bridie Thorpe spent the week at Urdang. Every morning there was Ballet & Jazz on the menu and in the afternoons the students had a choice of workshop. As the girls will tell you themselves:
We had a warm up every morning, which killed me! Then every day, everyone in the class one by one had to do a triple pirouette on each leg… by the end of the week we mastered it! We did corner work and freestyle/improv every lesson. I loved it. My teacher, Regan Shepherd was amazing.
My favourite part was the whole aura of London life, when we weren’t dancing in class, we were in the studios just dancing around – it was so easy to just be yourself and everyone was so friendly.
BridieThis week was so good, I enjoyed every minute of it and it gave me a chance to see what it was like before I audition next year, and now I can see myself training there. I loved it, I made so many new friends and it made me very excited for the future.
Alex
Maddie Dunn, Maisie Ganley, Lucy Holcroft, Eleanor Jackson, Megan Moore, Gabriel Sharrock, Charlotte Stones, Megan Thorpe & Aliyah Xaba attended Phil Winston’s Theatreworks.
I had a great time in Blackpool sharing a hotel with around 80 kids from all over, including Greece. I loved commercial and contemporary as I had never tried these before. We travelled to the class on a private double decker bus and we had so much fun together. My body ached like never before and I felt exhausted but I can’t wait for next year!
AliyahIt was a very busy week!! We went from 9 in the morning until 4 at night, starting with warm up, corner work, stretching and then a routine in these workshops. We’d then start rehearsing for our show dances which were featured in our end of week production of ‘The Works – Summer School’! My favourite dance would have to be the ballet – I got specially chosen by the Ballet teacher (as well as Gabriel!) and we danced to a slow violin version of Robert Miles! I also really enjoyed the commercial dance because it’s not something we do often – a nice challenge.
All the summer school went to the south pier on Thursday night and went on the rides! It was the best week ever, we all learned so much and it was very inspiring.
CharlotteWe stayed in a hotel in Blackpool and the owners put on a disco two of the nights we were there. They even took us to the circus and south pier, it was really nice!
Maddie
We’re very glad all our pupils enjoyed their times at summer school so much. We were particularly delighted that Gabriel Sharrock and Aliyah Xaba were awarded scholarships for the holiday school at Phil Winston’s next year! We’re looking forward to seeing what you’ve all learned.
Congratulations are in order for our very own Miss Marie Horner who has added to her score of teaching qualifications!
Marie has recently completed module 1 of her Licentiate Tap qualification and not only has she completed it, but achieved a Distinction. Not to mention accomplishing all this during our ever busy and demanding school production earlier this year!
Well done Marie, and best of luck for the next steps.
If you’d like to find out more about our teaching staff, please click here.
Theatre Dance Council International is the umbrella organisation for dance associations across the country and in August they hold the British Championships. Every member association enters their best dancers to compete against each other, the best of the best.
Bree Quinton, as the International Dance Teachers’ Association (IDTA) Modern Jazz Performer of 2016, attended this competition on behalf of the IDTA. She performed outstandingly and the whole school was only too proud of her.
Here’s what she had to say:
It was a scholarship class with a simple warm up; stretches, jogs etc., but then we were taught us a swing-style dance. I enjoyed it so much doing a different style but still with jazz elements. The teacher had recently played the Stalker in The Bodyguard and the lead in Singin’ in the Rain. He was so lovely and welcoming which made me feel much more relaxed.
There were six of us. We all got a trophy at the end as we were representing such big dance associations. It was so enjoyable to have to pick it up under pressure and have the chance to perform and sell it – it’s quite thrilling, and although nerve-wracking, I enjoy the challenge!
I felt so privileged to have been chosen and really enjoyed it even though I didn’t win. I tried my hardest and felt I did myself and the dance school proud.
Bree Quinton, IDTA Modern Jazz Performer 2016
We are absolutely delighted to announce our donation of £1,200 to the Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity. This money will be going to Ward M3, which cares for children with cancer and blood disorders.
At every school production we attempt to raise money for different charities every year, often selecting those dedicated to children who aren’t as lucky as the Berry pupils who are able to enjoy dance.
We would like to thank everyone who bought a programme at All Good Things, your generosity will make a huge difference and we are immensely proud to support our local Children’s Hospital.
If you would like to find out more about the M3 Ward, please click here.
We are trying to arrange for a room in the theatre where parents can wait if they choose. There will be more information on this. Any parents of Minnie Mouse(s) who want to collect their children before the end of the first half must see Miss Amy to let her know.
Tuesday 12th July – Technical Rehearsal
Children need to arrive preferably with their hair done, no make-up and with all their costumes and shoes.
Arrival time: between 5.15-5.30
Collection times
Any children in the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (Minnie Mouse) can be collected from 7 o’clock, other children in the first half only, can be collected at 8 o’clock. Rabbits can be collected at 8.30pm. All other children in the second half can be collected at 9.30 at the latest.
Wednesday 13th July, Thursday 14th July and Friday 15th July
Children need to arrive preferably with their hair done, full make-up and with all their costumes and shoes.
Arrival time: between 6.15-6.30.
Collection times
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse – 7.30
Children in first half only – 8.15
Rabbits – 8.40
Children in the second half – 9.30
Saturday 16th July – Matinee
Children need to arrive preferably with their hair done, full make-up and with all their costumes and shoes.
Arrival time: between 1.00-1.30
Collection times
Children in first half only – 3.10
Rabbits – 3.30
Children in the second half – 4.40
Please note we cannot remain in the theatre between the matinee and evening performances.
Saturday 17th July – Evening
Children need to arrive preferably with their hair done, full make-up and with all their costumes and shoes.
Arrival time: between 6.15-6.30.
Collection times
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse – 7.30
Children in first half only – 8.15
Rabbits – 8.40
Children in the second half – 9.30/40 (this could be later than expected – please see us if this is a problem)
DVD and Photographs
For those of you wanting to order DVDs and photographs, please be advised that these orders must be placed by the end of the Saturday matinee. The show DVD is £20 and the cash needs to be placed in an envelope with the child’s name and a contact phone number. The same procedure goes for the photographs. Please hand these to Kay Smith or Miss Amy – if you are unsure, a member of staff can take them. Please note no cheques are accepted – cash only. 
Well done to four of our pupils who competed in the East Coast Dance Championships yesterday! Maisie Ganley and Aliyah Xaba represented us in the Modern section while Jack Skelton and Charlotte Stones performed in the Tap section. 
We were even more delighted when Jack was selected to compete in the semi-finals, which take place next Sunday. Jack will have to make rather an early start after our show on Saturday night to compete in a section of 12, and we wish him all the luck in the world. We know you’ll do us proud.
We’re nearly there! One big class rehearsal tomorrow, then next week we’re at the theatre. We’d like to make you aware of the following information, please read all carefully.
Saturday 9th July Class Rehearsal
All pupils please arrive for 10am ready to start. For those in first half only you will finish at 11.45, rabbits will be finished for 12.15 and everyone else about 1.15.
Please read the notice board carefully for any further information. We will announce about times for theatre tomorrow too.
The chaperone rota will be on the board tomorrow. If you can’t do a time that you’re down for please see Mrs Berry, don’t find a replacement yourself. We’d also like to remind the chaperones that they may not be in the same dressing room as their child.
Bills & Fees
Please be advised that all outsranding private lesson fees, costume bills and ticket money must be settled by tomorrow – Saturday 9th July. If you are not sure about whether you owe anything, please contact Mrs Berry directly either by calling or private message.
Tickets!
We still have tickets on sale for all performances. Orders can be placed with Mrs Berry tomorrow and the tickets will be on sale all next week. 
Health and Safety
Any child/pupil/adult must have a seat ticket to go into the auditorium – fire regulations!
Other than that we’re very much looking forward to this special show and we’re so excited to show you the hard work that’s been going off behind the scenes here. If you’re unsure about anything please contact a teacher. If you are unsure how to do this you can message our Facebook page directly at www.facebook.com/SBSOTD – if you are not a member already, you can request to join our group at www.facebook.com 
Many a congratulation to our pupils who are now part of the juvenile chorus in Sheffield Theatres and Evolution Pantomimes’ production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.
Maddie Dunn, Maisie Ganley, Lucy Holcroft, Megan Moore, Leila Steer, Megan Thorpe, Lilli Walker, Renée Warren and Aliyah Xaba will be pounding the floorboards this Christmas at the Sheffield Lyceum alongside panto favourite Damian Williams and Coronation Street’s Wendi Peters.
Well done to all the girls who auditioned for the show, you all continue to do us very proud.
Berry Academy of Dance 