Two students from Stratford-upon-Avon College recently performed in Motionhouse’s Curtain Raiser performance at Birmingham Hippodrome.
The Curtain Raiser performances offer young people the chance to work with a professional company and it is a highly sought after opportunity. Young people audition to be a part of the performance with only 15 selected.
After the audition process, Dance student, Evie Barlow, and Acting student, Sean Andrews, were delighted to be picked for the performance which began Motionhouse’s production of Starchitects.
Sean, who is in his second year of the Acting course, performed with the company for the second time as he was part of the Curtain Raiser the year before: “I enjoyed the experience so much it was a no brainer auditioning again this year!”
For Evie, it was her first time. She heard about the experience through college: “The College let us know about the audition opportunity and it sounded like an experience I wanted to be a part of.”
Sean and Evie took part in rehearsals under the direction of Motionhouses’s Rehearsal Director Junior Cunningham. Sean commented: “He was the best person ever! He makes sure you focus on what you can do and what you’re trying to do rather than mistakes. He has even encouraged me to look in Motionhouse Youth which I am very excited to do.”
Their performance was in Motionhouse’s unique and celebrated style of dance-circus and was set in an office environment which turned into a party. Evie loved the performance: “It was so good! I learnt new tricks and really learnt about the style. I know I want to do more of this in the future.”
Sean added: “This style of performance is 100% up my street! Not only have I been able to develop my skills and training, but I have been able to incorporate some of what I learnt into my current college performances. I know this is the company I want to work for in the future and I will work hard and invest my time to get there. I felt so at home!”
Junior Cunningham was pleased to have had students from the college involved: “Working with Stratford-upon-Avon College students again was great. I’ve had long standing relationship with the college, coming in for the first time over 15 years ago.
Working with Sean & Evie was a total pleasure. Both of them bringing something different to the table. Evie is a fantastic mover, quiet yet really creative and focused, and Sean having worked with him before became my rock who I could feel comfortable to just throw in the deep end and brings great performance, tricks and cool movement.
I would happily work with these young ‘pros’ any time: I just think they’re fab. ‘Go Stratford!’”
Well done Sean and Evie for your wonderful achievement!
