Unit 13 and 14 Future Development Plan

Future Development Plan

What am I going to do to prepare myself for working as a dancer in Performing arts sector at this stage?

My future development plan begins with completing my current course Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Performing Arts with a grade DDM. I will continue to take part in performing with my local theatre group The Company of Four that put on three shows per year. I will also continue to dance at Angela Rowe School of Dance, doing technical classes in ballet and modern as well as doing classes with Woodbridge School of Dance to improve my versatility with my range of styles as a dancer by studying contemporary dance and commercial and technical jazz. These classes will include conditioning the body to be much stronger and will also focus on flexibility, coordination, balance and posture and will take place over five nights in a week. This means I will still have plenty of time to work on my coursework. In my pre- professional dance classes, I will ask the tutors to help me with my flexibility and balance, this will help me with more complex skills as well as very basic ones- such as jazz turns or pirouettes. I will also be working on the strength in my feet and knees due to an injury I sustained around six months ago, strengthening my feet and knees will lower my risk for injury and damaging them whilst dancing. Meaning that I can pull off complex moves without straining or damaging any muscles.

 I also plan on asking my great uncle and third cousin for their contacts within the industry as my great uncle- Steve Hammond used to host a children’s TV show on CITV and my third cousin, Craig Hancock is a model for White Stuff and various other high brands. My cousin has helped me with modelling jobs before, and it would be a good way for me to get noticed. I will also be creating a showreel from the things I have focused on in a dance class, this will be able to be sent off to directors and choreographers meaning I will likely have a higher success rate.

I also plan on continuing my non- industry work, which I do as a Barista for Costa and Starbucks. This job has not only helped me with my communication skills and organisational skills. It has helped me with my time management, adaptability and independence. Speaking with customers sometimes is challenging and often requires patience and resilience, my managers would describe me as trustworthy and reliable. My job requires perfection, which is fantastic for me because I am a perfectionist who always strives to better themselves every day.

I plan to complete my pre- professional training gaining a BA Hons degree in Dance at Italia Conti. The reason for choosing this is to improve and excel in dance and graduate with the hope of persuing this degree further in the future. The reason for selecting this university is due to the range of the facilities in the University, such as a wall to wall gymnasium floor, ten aerial rigging points with silks and hoops,as well as a multi- purpose dance studio with spung floors and dual height ballet barres. Moreover, Italia Conti's mission is to provide excellent training, education and support that produced exceptional multi- talented graduates who develop succesful long- term careers. All of their programmes develop the full range of skills and attributes that are required to perform at the highest levels. In musical theatre, they aim to create triple-threat performers to excel in all apsects of acting, dancing and singing. Another reason I would like to choose this course at Italia Conti is because they vowed to provide a curriculum that recognises individual needs and aspirations with a training process designed to nurture confidence, self esteem, acknowledgement of personal strength and the true fufillment of technical and artistic potential. The previous students support these claims from Italia Conti by students such as Awen Jones said "Having the most supportive faculty (many of which who are working professionals), who are always pushing you to be the best version of yourself has made my transititon into this industry a seamless one." Another previous student Amy Johnson said that "The building and staff inside welcome you with open arms and guide you through your training and proudly push you, prepped with the best tools for the job". These statements support the claims that Italia Conti has spoken about and proves how sucessful their performers turn out to be. 

My second option is to complete a BA Hons Professional Dance and Musical Theatre Degree at Dancebox studios and Theatre Works company in Milton Keynes with a BA Hons in Dance. The reason for having this college as my second choice is because of the range of facilities and dance styles that are developed extensively over the years. Another reason I would love to go to this university is because Danceboc offers extensive performance oppurtunities to showcase students learning as well as completing academic studies to support and develop understanding of contextual and critical studies. Dancebox claims to "illuminate the UK's Performing Arts education sector" and they say that their "commitment lies in fostering smaller chorts of students allowing each individual to truly shine and reach their full potential". I like the idea of being in a smaller class because that means that there is more time to focus on my strengths and weaknesses and I can target those with a smaller more intimate group. Dancebox also says that their "vision extends beyond just creating performers and they aim to form well-rounded, resilliant, athletic and employable artists". After speaking to a friend who was a previous student at dancebox, she said "The level of technical ability I was able to develop and progress with was amazing. Not only did we cover so many different styles of dance and theatre, but also were educated on it, it was fascinatig to learn about things from different eras, cultures and countries. I dont regret my decision one bit"- Daisy Steward. This statement shows that Dancebox has a lot to offer and is very student based. It is clear to see that the tutors care about their students and want them to suceed in the performing arts world. 

References

Italia Conti- https://www.italiaconti.com/

Dancebox- https://www.danceboxcollege.co.uk/