New Adventures and Central School of Ballet are pleased to announce our Student Associates for 2017/18 – Hannah O’Brien and Louis Van Leer.
Third year students; Hannah and Louis, were selected after a weekend of auditions earlier this year. Both will be involved in the rehearsal period for Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella which begins on 8 November at 3 Mills Studios. They will then support the Company by performing in various performances during the show’s Christmas season at Sadler’s Wells from 9 December 2017 – 27 January 2018, and further on in the Cinderella UK tour.
Last year saw our first two associates Stephen Murray (due to perform in Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella this year) and Brittanie Dillon who both took part in the creation of Matthew Bourne’s production of The Red Shoes and performed in the show at Sadler’s Wells (London) as well as other venues on the 2016/17 UK tour.
The Company is committed to supporting dance schools and conservatoires in nurturing, and developing the next generation of talent for the Company and the Student Associates programme will continue to build on existing work in this area. New Adventures has a long history of employing dancers who have graduated from Central School of Ballet. In 2016 longstanding Company member, Christopher Marney, became the new Artistic Director of Ballet Central and Matthew Bourne is also an Artistic Advisor of Central School of Ballet.
Christopher Marney, Artistic Director of Ballet Central said: “The opportunity to learn directly from Matthew Bourne and his team has been a unique and enriching experience for our graduating students Brittanie Dillon and Stephen Murray. It is testament to the success of this special partnership between New Adventures and Central that the initiative will continue this year allowing two new students to gain from working directly with one of the most influential choreographers in dance. We are grateful for all the hard work and determination from all concerned.”
Heidi Hall, Director of Central School of Ballet said: “Our goal is to train dancers with the skills, talent and ambition needed for leading dance companies. Central’s students will in turn influence the industry as they develop and work as professional dancers and choreographers. We are able to reinforce our aims and achieve this goal with the support and interest of Matthew Bourne and his company. The selected students benefit from this partnership but also the organisation as a whole; other students working towards their own goals, teaching staff and all that support Central on a daily basis. The partnership is much more than just two student beneficiaries.”
Matthew Bourne, Artistic Director of New Adventures said: “I’m delighted Hannah and Louis will be joining us as our 2017/2018 Central School of Ballet Student Associates. The initial pilot project was a huge success for both ourselves, the school and for the students. I’m particularly thrilled that following his experience working with us on The Red Shoes Stephen Murray will be joining the company for Cinderella.”
Our 2017/2018 Central School of Ballet Students Associate Programme is proudly supported by the Archie Lloyd Charitable Foundation
