Visiting Disneyland Paris is often just a dream for most youngsters but to go and perform on their huge stages was a dream come true for the dance students of Splitz Dance Academy in Rye. Months of preparation, form-filling, planning, and booking travel, accommodation and trips was involved but Principal Stacey Caister took it all in her stride and the troupe of sixteen students and accompanying family and supporters set off on the August 7 for their three-day trip of a lifetime.
D for Dance and musical theatre
Splitz Dance Academy students in Rye have all the dedication and drive in the world. Stacey Caister, who owns and runs the Academy, is the perfect rôle-model for her students, from tiny tots to adults. Just one look or one eyebrow raised has the students toeing the line. They work hard and are committed but they have plenty of fun too. Stacey has the personality and drive to steer her students to excellence and they certainly excelled in Paris after successfully auditioning to perform a twenty-minute show at the Videopolis Theatre in the centre of the park.
I for Inspiring
Not only were the students inspired by their own performances, but they had the opportunity to watch many other shows during their time at Disneyland Paris, making them all the more determined to aspire to greater heights in the future. They were surrounded by professionals and soaked up the atmosphere and delighted in the glamour and glitz. The new “Alice in Wonderland” show was a firm favourite, with the combination of BMX bikes, acro displays, and song and dance, giving the watching students new ideas and plenty to work hard for on their return back home.
S for Special memories were created
The children all worked together as a troupe and many of them had not attended the same classes as each other in Rye, so Paris gave them the opportunity to forge new friendships. As an added bonus, their parents had the opportunity to get to know each other better. Normally they would meet briefly at drop-off and collection time, rarely having a moment to stop and socialise. Many of these friendships will flourish and, united by a common bond, mutual support will thrive.
Principal Stacey Caister notes: “Witnessing these students up on stage, watching their confidence grow and seeing how supportive they all were of each other was the highlight of the trip and was noted also by all the parents too. For these students to return to Disneyland in future on holiday and be able say that they have performed there, is such an achievement and one I am immensely proud to be part of.”
N for Nervous but noteworthy performances
Of course nerves are an important part if you want to create top notch performances. “Nothing to prove, only to share” is what professional ballet dancer Jessica Lind repeats to herself as she is preparing to take the stage for a show. The children excelled themselves in Paris, not only on stage but also off it.
Stacey said: “I was immensely proud of them all. They were playing to audiences of over two thousand people and were always so professional. We had a few nerves in the wings to start with, but these quickly turned to excitement as soon as the students stepped on to stage.”
E for Exciting moments, days hours and minutes
When Phoenix, the youngest student of the group at six, was asked what the best moments were he replied: “All of it.” Judging from all the comments, pictures and conversations with parents since the trip took place it seems that that is the view of all the group, alongside the question: “When are we auditioning again?”!
The trip gave students a chance to perform in a professional working theatre and the tech runs and use of the backstage areas gave students a real insight into the industry. Saskia, aged 11, said: “It was really exciting getting to be in a real theatre and prepare for the show with all my friends. We were very nervous to start with but when the music started, we danced and sang our hearts out!”
Along with the show the whole group got to experience the rides, the park, and all it has to offer, dining and watching the fireworks and parades together – memories made for a lifetime.
Y for Youth, yippee, and yummydelicious
Whether young or old all the trip’s members felt young-at-heart, the grandparents on the trip certainly shedding a tear or two during the performance and on the rides! There were many cries of “Yippee!” as there was so much to see, and of course the food was certainly yummy-delicious.
Image Credits: Splitz Academy .