The summer edition of the Primary Festival hosted four Primary Schools; Coleby Church of England
Primary School, Skellingthorpe
St Lawrence Church of England Primary School, The Meadows Primary School
and Thorpe on the Hill -
St Michael’s Church of England Primary School who all worked hard over the past six weeks to produce
a dance piece focusing on the theme of ‘transitions to Secondary School’. When
creating their pieces they explored themes expressing and exploring the
emotions linked to this change. The show also featured three performances from
North Kesteven School including an all-male company formed by several Year 7-10
boys, a piece by Year 8 and 9 girls and finally a BTEC group of students.
I, Sophie
Watkinson and Amy O’ Sullivan worked with the four Primary Schools allowing the
children to explore different areas, feelings and ideas associated with the
theme of transition into Secondary School. We felt it was important for the
children not only to learn, create and adapt movement but to also offer the
opportunity to express just how they really feel about embarking on a new and
exciting chapter of their lives.
Some of the
children, who have never had any previous dance or performance experience,
responded well to the duration of the project – the children learnt basic
movement styles, developed their own group sections and some even managed to
produce lifts and execute tricks. The children were introduced to the marvel of
working through a technical rehearsal and were able to witness the same process
with the other Primary Schools and the groups from NK School. Workshops kindly
organized by NK School and it’s staff were also provided for the children in
order to grasp a sense of what subjects they will expect to learn when making
the step up to Secondary School.
Two
performances one at 6:00pm, the other at 7:15pm held a warm, kind and receptive
audience filled with proud family members and friends who were grasped by the
children’s dynamic movement capabilities. Being present backstage and having
the honor of hosting both performances I could really feel the uproar and
excitement coming from the children as they waited to go on stage. The
audience, artsNK staff, North Kesteven School staff and spectators from the
Primary Schools were all encapsulated by how the children performed.
I would
like to thank all of those who were involved with the project and supported me
throughout. It was a delight to see the children performing and gain a sense of
achievement. For them to watch groups who have had success at a Secondary
School, to be given the chance to create a dance piece from scratch and to
perform it live in front of an audience I believe took a lot of dedication and
self-belief. I applaud the Primary Schools for making the decision to allow
their pupils the chance to exceed and try something new and to the children for
performing with energy, charisma and passion.
We shall
look forward to working with some new Primary Schools for the next Festival and
we hope to see you all there.
James
Kitney (Community Dance Artist – artsNK)
