Marketing piece, draft 2.

What do you think?

Heading to Paris this Christmas? Be sure not to miss out on the most famous cabaret in the world, Le Moulin Rouge.
Paris is famous for cabarets and no trip to this beautiful, historic city is complete without seeing one. The show includes something for everyone. So skip the rest and head straight to the best!

The Moulin Rouge has been bringing shows to audiences from across the globe since 1889. Situated on Boulevard de Chlicy, in the Pigalle area of the city it is close to the beautiful area of Montmatre, home of the Sacre Coeur{Sacred Heart} basilica. As you wonder through these quaint, winding streets, you will see our famous red windmill standing tall at the base of the hill.
Famous for introducing the world to the French cancan, the Moulin Rouge prides itself on bringing you a show full of breathe takingley beautiful dancers, hand picked from all over the world, as well as acrobats and clowns. No less 1000 costumes of feathers, rhinestones and sequins all hand made in the best Parisian workshop. Not to mention the outstanding sets designed by Italian artists just for the show. 80 musicians and 60 singers also recorded the 69 songs included in the show especially.

The current production “Feerie” is now showing and tickets are selling fast! So to avoid disappointment book today to come along and see the show featuring the world-renowned French CanCan and you are guaranteed a night of top class entertainment.

There are performances throughout the year nightly at 21h and 23h and throughout the winter {November- march} on Sunday afternoons at 16h.

Why not join us our dinner and show package?

Dinner* at 19h, prepared by Laurent Tarridec, an award-winning chef. Entertainment while you dine by the Moulin Rouge orchestra and singers. Followed by the show at 21h.

Alternatively join us for our “champagne” show nightly at 23h.

*Menus vary in price.{A la carte also available}

Please see website for prices, full menu and booking information. Or visit our reservations desk situated in the theatre Foyer {Nearest metro Blanche}. Booking in advance is highly recommended as tickets on the door can not be guaranteed.

blog help!

Does anyone know how to receive feeds on your comments?
I have the setting to receive an e-mail when someone comments on my blog, but when I write on someone elses and then they comment I am none the wiser.

Does anyone know the answer?
Thanks,Tara.

descriptive piece, draft 2

Please comment, all help gratefully received!

As you stroll along the Boulevard de Chlichy, lined with neon lights and bustling with people, the first thing to catch your eye is the giant red windmill standing tall above the other buildings and drawing you closer to the flashing red lights and grand entrance of this world famous cabaret, The Moulin Rouge.

After queuing outside before the performance you are ushered inside to the warm lobby where a sparkling chandelier and jewel-encrusted carpet await you.
There is little time to admire these, or the various artefacts around the lobby before you are escorted to your table and take your seat for the performance.
The salle {auditorium} is filled with wooden chairs covered in soft red velvet, each one placed closely to the next ensuring that every available space is used. You are packed in like a sardine, each time you dare to move, your arm brushes against your neighbours.
Taking a moment to look around you will see various scenes of Paris painted on the walls in a post impressionist style.

As the lights dim, the sound of champagne corks popping will fill your ears and the bubbles will tingle on your tongue.
The lights go up as the beat of the music kicks in and a stage filled with 40 dancers covered head to toe in sparkling sequins is revealed. You will be shocked to hear the tearing sound of poppers as each girl rips off there trousers in perfect unison revealing thirty pairs of long, luscious legs. As the dancers filter from the stage, trousers in hand, those sitting at the front are so close they could almost touch them.

The cast of sixty, entertain you throughout the show, in which forgetting all your troubles you are transported to a fantasy world full of feathers, rhinestones and sequins. Allowing yourself to be whisked away by the music your mind wonders through the world of cabaret. You are brought abruptly back to real life when as if from no where the front stage moves back and a huge tank full of live snakes appears, squirming around they instantly create an uncomfortable feeling.
A girl launches herself into the tank and begins wrestling with the snakes underwater. Sigh’s and gasps fill the auditorium and it becomes clear who the thrill seekers among us are.
Once again you cannot believe your eyes when six miniature horses take the stage, mostly trotting enthusiastically but one can’t help but noticed the slightly more laboured black horse at the back! His only enthusiasm comes when it is time to exit the stage.

The smell of the horses lingers, but before you have time to notice, the moment you’ve been waiting for arrives. A gust of energy fills the room, high-pitched screams and yelps bounce from the walls and fourteen high kicking girls appear in front of you. They are dressed in red, white and blue with a cheeky pair of frilly knickers to match and a garter that sits mid thigh. They all kick their legs to their ears, cartwheel around the stage and dance with such enthusiasm, that before long everyone in the audience is clapping along and willing them to kick higher and higher. The dance finishes with the dancers jumping high into the air before they land in splits. Your stomach flips as you feel their pain.

Feeling exhilarated and sure that nothing could top the cancan, the grand finale. Girls in g-strings and bra’s with huge fluffy pink feather back packs. The lights dim and the backpacks light up perfectly in time. A sea of bright white lights among pink feathers gleams as the dancers take their bow and leave the stage for the last time.

As you take your finale sip of champagne and filter back out towards the bright neon lights and the night air of Paris you feel exhilarated by this amazing spectacle.

Academic writing, draft 1

Why is the Moulin Rouge so Famous?

The Moulin Rouge has a history as a cabaret dating back to the 6th October 1889 when Joseph Oller opened it.

There is no doubt the cabaret has, throughout its time been a crowd puller. “As soon as the cabaret opened it attracted crowds, appealing to Parisians who were looking for the extravagant.” Anne Rohan, 2009. “ For 110 years, the most legendary cabaret in the world has welcomed millions of spectators who have come to admire the famous shows”
www.123europe.com

Today the cabaret is world famous, but what are the factors that have attributed to that fame?

The Moulin Rouge is famous for being the birthplace of the French dance, the cancan.
People wishing to see this dance in it’s original home have been coming to the cabaret for the past century and it is still possible to see the cancan today.
“This dance is still the main feature of the shows today.” Wikapedia.
The cancan has been drawing people to the cabaret and it is one of the main attractions of the cabaret.
It is also known that the French artist Henry Toulouse-Loutrec{1864-1901} immortalized the French cancan{moulin rouge website} and according to Rohan{2009} “was himself a faithful customer.”
Toulouse-Loutrec was a post-impressionist painter and The Moulin Rouge along with the Parisian area of Montmartre where the cabaret is based are the subject of many of his paintings.

As well as being publicized by the Lautrec paintings, the cabaret has boosted it’s publicity by inviting famous people to perform on it’s stage. La Goulue {real name Louise Webber} was known as the queen of Montmatre. Her speciality was to drink the customers’ champagne between high kicks, which is why she was named the La Goulue {the glutton}. La Goulue was the subject of one particular Toulouse-Lautrec painting “One evening in December 1891, about three thousand copies of this poster were pasted on walls across Paris.” The poster advertises the Moulin Rouge dance hall and its featured performer La Goulue." By advertising a specific celebrity rather than anonymous beauties, Lautrec infused his poster with star power. The poster created a sensation, and fuelled the popularity of both La Goulue and Lautrec."{ N.G.A 2005} This poster was a sucessful amalgamation of the Famous guest and of Lautrecs paintings two of the things that have attribited to the cabarets fame.

Other performers include, Misinguett, {real name Jeanne Borgeois} who was famous for her risqué cabaret routines, she first appeared at The Moulin Rouge in 1907, going on to become the highest paid female performer in the world at the time. In 1919, her legs were insured for 500,000 Francs. Her signature song was “mon homme” recorded in 1916. Barbra Streisland made the English version “my man” famous in the “Funny girl movies.

More recent stars that have performed on the stage here have included French singer Edith Piaf. Frank Sinatra, world-renowned dancer. And Liza Minelli, Ella Fitzgerald, Elton John and Josephine Baker. {Travel tips.com 2009}

There have also been in total six movies made with the title “Moulin Rouge”. Edward Andre Dupont directed the First in 1928. The following movies were released in 1934. 1939,1944,1952 and not forgetting the smash hit directed by Baz Luhrmann, staring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor released in 2001.

The movie was released worldwide in 70 countries, and made $177 million. {IMBD} The name Moulin Rouge became household and the cabaret become known by millions more.

The cabaret used the release of the film to show the world what they could do traveling around and showing excerpts of the show.
“We traveled a lot for the premiere of Moulin Rouge, the movie - In Cannes, in London - for Prince Charles, Vienna, gala in Canada with Air France, Hong Kong in May, we are going to Australia in August.” Fanny Rabase, 2003, publicist, The Moulin Rouge.

Since the film was released in 2001, the cabaret has become more of a household name but the cabaret have worked towards publicizing itself since it opened, firstly with the help of the paintings by Toulouse-Lautrec. And with the continuous performances of famous guests aimed at boosting the profile of the cabaret.

task d draft1 style 2

As you stroll along the Boulevard de Chlichy, lined with neon lights and bustling with people, the first thing to catch your eye is the giant red windmill standing tall above the other buildings and drawing you closer to the flashing red lights and grand entrance of this world famous cabaret, The Moulin Rouge.

After queuing outside before the performance you are ushered inside to the warm lobby where a sparkling chandelier and jewel-encrusted carpet await you.
There is little time to admire these before you are escorted to your table and take your seat for the performance.
The salle {auditorium} is filled with wooden chairs covered in soft red velvet, each one placed closely to the next ensuring that every available space is used.
Taking a moment to look around you will see various scenes of Paris painted on the walls in a post impressionist style.

As the lights dim, the sound of champagne corks popping will fill your ears and the bubbles will tingle on your tongue.
The lights go up as the beat of the music kicks in and a stage filled with 40 dancers covered head to toe in sequins is revealed. You will shocked to hear the tearing sound of poppers as each girl rips of there trousers in perfect unison revealing thirty pairs of long, luscious legs. As the dancers filter from the stage, trousers in hand, those sitting at the front are so close they could almost touch them.

After the opening number you are taken through a serious of love stories, men returning from war greeted by there loved ones who greet them in coloured chiffon skirts that are carefully manipulated to produce a mass of bright colours moving around the stage. The first tableau ends with the title song “Feerie” in which huge red feather balls with long legs dance, before revealing themselves on a huge crescendo in the music. As the ball of red feathers fall as if by magic into a skirt, the dancers reveal themselves topless for the first time. Following this revelation the remaining dancers, all sporting red feather backpacks and sparkling beaded tops join them on stage and the whole cast dance with great energy and elegance.

In true Parisian cabaret style the show includes variety acts, the first two bare chested muscular strong men in white trousers perform a balancing act, performing dangerous but exhilarating tricks of holding each other up with just one arm. You are sat on the edge of your seat. The danger is almost too much to bare. You will be amazed once again by the second act “Terry Parade” the mouth juggler, who throughout his comical act, launches ping pong balls from his mouth, gradually adding more and more before he is juggling four balls from his mouth to varying tempo’s. Bizarre, but thoroughly entertaining!

The cast of sixty, entertain you throughout two further tableau’s, the first “pirates” based around various tales of the sea including a section where as if from no where the front stage moves back and a huge tank full of live snakes appears, squirming around they instantly creates an uncomfortable feeling. A girl launches herself into the tank and begins wrestling with the snakes underwater. Sigh’s and gasps fill the auditorium and it becomes clear who the thrill seekers among the audience are.
In the second tableau the show takes a light hearted trip to the circus, no expense has been spared with the costumes and six miniature horses take the stage, mostly trotting enthusiastically but one can’t help but noticed the slightly more laboured black horse at the back! His only enthusiasm comes when it is time to exit the stage.

The smell of the horses lingers, but before you have time to notice, the moment you’ve been waiting for arrives. A gust of energy fills the room, high-pitched screams and yelps bounce from the walls and fourteen high kicking girls appear in front of you. They are dressed in red, white and blue with a cheeky pair of frilly knickers to match and a garter that sits mid thigh. They all kick their legs to there ears, cartwheel around the stage and dance with such enthusiasm that before long everyone in the audience is clapping along and willing them to kick higher and higher. The dance finishes with the dancers jumping high into the air before they land in splits.

Feeling exhilarated and sure that nothing could top the cancan, the grand finale. Girls in g-strings and bra’s with huge fluffy pink feather back packs. The lights dim and the backpacks light up perfectly in time. A sea of bright white lights among pink feathers gleams as the dancers take their bow and leave the stage for the last time.

As you take your finale sip of champagne and filter back out towards the bright neon lights you feel exhilarated by this amazing spectacle.

task d draft1

Heading to Paris this Christmas? Be sure not to miss out on the most famous cabaret in the world, Le Moulin Rouge.
Paris is famous for cabarets and no trip to this beautiful, historic city is complete without seeing one. So skip the rest and head straight to the best!

The Moulin Rouge has been bringing shows to audiences from across the globe since 1889. Situated on Boulevard de Chlicy, in the Pigalle area of the city it is close to the beautiful area of Montmatre, home of the Sacre Coeur{Sacred Heart} basilica. As you wonder through these quaint, winding streets, you will see our famous red windmill standing tall at the base of the hill.
Famous for introducing the world to the French cancan, the Moulin Rouge prides itself on bringing you a show full of breathe takingley beautiful dancers, hand picked from all over the world, as well as acrobats and clowns. No less 1000 costumes of feathers, rhinestones and sequins all hand made in the best Parisian workshop. Not to mention the outstanding sets designed by Italian artists just for the show. 80 musicians and 60 singers also recorded the 69 songs included in the show especially.
The current production “Feerie” is now showing so come along and see the show featuring the world renowned French CanCan and you are guaranteed a night of top class entertainment.

There are performances throughout the year nightly at 21h and 23h. and throughout the winter{November- march} on Sunday afternoons at 16h.

Why not join us our dinner and show package?

Dinner* at 19h, prepared by Laurent Tarridec, an award-winning chef. Entertainment while you dine by the Moulin Rouge orchestra and singers. Followed by the show at 21h.

Alternatively join us for our “champagne” show nightly at 23h.

*Menus vary in price.{A la carte also available}

Please see website for prices, full menu and booking information. Or visit our reservations desk situated in the theatre Foyer{Nearest metro Blanche}. Booking in advance is highly recommend as tickets on the door can not be guaranteed.

Kolb’s learning cycle, how an experience of mine fits…

Concrete experience

In May 2006 I moved to Paris to work as a dancer. Moving to a new country where I could not speak the language was hard, even the simplest of tasks like buying phone credit to ordering a taxi were extremely hard.
I had a very basic knowledge of French from school so I tried hard to speak to people to people the best I could, but it being Paris in springtime I found that the Parisians had little time to entertain my efforts and often responded to my broken French in fluent English. This was confidence knocking.
Although I worked with a few French girls they spoke English and so I spent most of my time speaking in English. In fact I spent most of my first six months in Paris with other English and Australian girls. I did not make a big effort to integrate into the community because we had our own social circle and depended on the fact that the French people could speak English. It was easy to find comfort in the familiar.


Reflective observation

Six months into the contract Audrey, joined the cast and was sitting in my changing room. She spoke little English and so it was hard to communicate with her. Her arrival made me think about the past six months and how I had not made as much progress as I could with learning the French language and that this had resulted in me being dependant on people for help a lot of the time, for example when I wanted to negotiate with my landlord, get the internet installed and deal with the plentifully French administration system.
I had spent a lot of time with the same people, who were great but I did not have much of a life outside of my English-speaking work friends. I felt a little Ignorant going through my life in this amazing city making little effort to connect with the people around me. I felt because of this I was missing out on certain experiences of living in a foreign country and the culture that comes with it. I do the job I do because it allows me to travel and experience different people and places,


Abstract conceptualisation

Not being able to communicate freely with Audrey at work and with the people around me on a daily basis was frustrating me and was limiting my experiences in Paris.
In order to fully appreciate the city I would need to be able to communicate more with people and in order to do this I would need to learn the language and make more effort executing it. I also needed to spend more time around French speaking people and make an effort to socialise with people from a wider range of places.
I learnt that once you are around French speakers you must really try not to become dependant on them and to persevere. When you start your sentence in French, don’t be discouraged if the person looks back at you blankly. I have now realized how much the accent matters to the French and how that can be the difference between them understanding you or not.
If I wanted to become more into the community I would have to be very confident and forthcoming.


Active experimentation

At first I began by learning a phrase a day In French. I would often come to work and try my phrases out on Audrey, who humoured me greatly. I made a concentrated effort to ask more questions in French. I found that little by little my vocabulary increased. I also listened to conversations between Audrey and Axelle another French girl in my changing room. In time I met more people from Paris ad although I spoke to them mainly in English I still learnt a lot more about Paris as a city, Places to see, restaurants and bars to try out. After a further twelve months in Paris I was by no means fluent in French, but I had made a life for myself in an amazing city.
The majority of my active experimentation however came almost Ten months later when I returned to France to work just outside of Strasbourg. I was living in a small village, and the boss of the theatre spoke only French. I immediately threw myself into speaking as much French as I could and enrolled in French classes at the university where away from my work I made friends and developed my language skills.
It is also helped me professionally as I needed to be able to communicate with my boss and with the audience of the show when I met them before the show for photos.
Living in a more rural area there is a stronger sense of culture. I tried harder to embrace this, but there are aspects I’m still working on. Living in the fast pace of London where things are at your convenience coming to accept that a shop can (and will!) close when it likes is not easy!

Reflection, our day at the campus.

Kolb's learning cycle

Today we attended Middlesex University, where we got to interact with our peers. Our main topic of converstation was Kolb's learning cycle.

Stage 1: Concrete experience (Doing, having the experience)
We learnt that this is a fact that has happened, with not emotional attachmenent.

Stage 2: Reflective observation (Reviewing, relfecting on the experience)
This is what we have seen, witnessed, experienced...

Stage 3: Abstract conceptualistion (Concluding, learning from the experience)
This is what you have learnt from the experience.

Stage 4: Active experimentation (Planning, trying out what you have learnt)
Putting into practice what we have learnt.


Reflecting upon essays that we have read today, we can now understand better how to dissect and what is useful information and what is emotive writing. For example, sentences such as, 'This is nice' has not value or meaning, because it does fit into any stage of the cycle, to do so it would need to be expanded.

We also learnt about the learning diary:
-Honest
-Cue Memory
-Enjoyable
-Evaluate
-Descriptive
-Relfective
-Focus, notice re-occurences
-Develop action
-Give evidence to back up thoughts

If the diary does not contain these elements, then it is worthless as it cannot be used in the future, or be reflected on, and experiences will not be able to be drawn

links of interest

Hopi ear candling.

I have always suffered from problems with my left ear and sinuses. I have tried various things over the years but recently tried this and found it to be really effective. It dates back through many civilizations, and is reported to be pictured in ancient art works.
A gentle, yet affective treatment It I can highly recommend. The treatment takes about 45 minutes a tubular candle is placed in your ear and lit at the end, as the candle burns down a warm heat is felt and you can hear a crackling, a vacuum is created drawing wax and impurities out of the ear and up the candle. After this treatment you feel clearer and your hearing is improved.
I am not a huge fan of conventional medicine, if I really need it I will take it of course, but I always like to look for alternative treatments. I am always interested to find out the effects and history of these alternative therapies. I have tried various treatments over time and found them beneficial.
http://www.lynnehancher.co.uk/aaahop.htm

Bikram Yoga



Bikram Yoga is like a drug. Addictive. Once you step foot in the studio you feel instantly motivated and focused on yourself. It is intense workout of ninety minutes and I can vouch that at the end of the session you feel amazing, both physically and mentally. The mixture of people and abilities is something I love, everyone is there for there own reasons, It is purely self indulgent time but really helps with all round well being. I have felt down, stiff and out of shape, the sweating involved in a session of Bikram is an instant pick me up. The feeling is addictive. It is also a rapid way to improve strength, flexibility and also things like digestion. Go and try it, although it is expensive there are lots of introductory offers to be had and also a discount for equity members.
http://www.bikramyoga.co.uk/home.html

Three people who inspire me.

Justin Lee Collins.

Justin Lee Collins is an entertainer who I have grown to love in recent years.
He is originally from Bristol, my home town, so I have followed his work.
He has an ability to make me laugh all the time. He has worked as a stand up comic, radio and television presenter. He is adaptable, working alone and with his co-star Alan Carr, on The Sunday Night project. I think being able to switch from a solo performer to part of a team is an admirable talent.
One of the things I admire most and that has influenced me is his determination and commitment to mastering a new skill, He has had numerous shows on TV including the “Convention Crasher” where he has to perfect different skills and compete at professional conventions to win prizes. Some of the tasks included ventriloquism and Clowning. He has recently done a similar show where he had to perfect ballroom dancing, even though he had little natural ability and had to loose three stone he persevered and achieved a lot, I think this shows determination and in my experience there is a lot to be said for this!

The link I have added shows him in his show "Justin Lee Collins west end star"


Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson, also known as the "King of Pop", was a musician and one of the most successful and influential entertainers of all time.
He had an amazing career and his talent was obvious even as a child when he performed with his brothers in The Jackson 5. His versatility is something to be admired, his voice, along with his dancing ability have entertained for many decades and he has many timeless hits. I am sure there is at least one song that everyone could love.
He has also been the inspiration for numerous artists both musically and thanks to his choreography in his videos dance wise too. No one else is so famous for a particular dance step.
He is known to have transformed music videos and made them into an art form , videos like “Thriller” and “Beat it” are arguably the most famous of all time.
Despite his endless achievements including the best selling album of all time, I admire the way his music has broken down cultural, racial and generational barriers. But also the way he used his status in a positive way and donated millions to charity, he supported numerous charities and had his own foundation. I have always admired his work, and danced numerous times to his music. The fact he did so much for others just adds to the admiration.


This video shows just how much MJ has inspired and influenced musicians.

Natalie Muschamp.

In April 2008 I was working in Portugal when I met my colleague and friend Natalie.
We were both working as dancers in a casino and lived together, she would often talk about how she could create a production as good or better than the one we were in. She would dissect every part from how she would conduct rehearsal to music choice, inappropriate costume choices the lot. At times throughout the contract I felt I could of gone crazy with her. But I have to hand it to her she knew what her dream was and she has now achieved it. It was a chance encounter whilst she was working in Milan and telling someone of her ideas and passion that she met a lady with a contact in an Italian Casino. She then secured a contract with the Casino San Remo in Italy, and set about forming her company, making her show and finding her dancers. Realizing she was not one for dealing with the nitty gritty she found herself a partner so she could focus on the creative side. Her company “Choices” is a dream come true for her and I was delighted that I could work with her in her first production Je suis mes choix.
Natalie has achieved what she always wanted. She was clear in knowing what it was she wanted to achieve and has achieved it. It is this determination and focus that I find inspirational. When you have worked with someone and then less than eighteen months later you are working for them you know that you too can achieve what you want.
I have attached the link of her first promotional video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYAjhf9l210&feature=player_embedded

My top 5 resources...

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com

Facebook is probably my most frequent resource, It enables me to keep in touch with my friends and work colleagues who are scattered around the globe. It is also a good way of finding out about auditions and castings as there are many different groups that you can join that send casting information and briefs .
It also allows me to quickly contact people if I need information or help on a specific project.

The Stage
http://www.thestage.co.uk
The stage newspaper was my first ever resource in my professional career,
It is a good place to find open auditions for all sorts of productions throughout the arts. I have attended many auditions from this source and gained employment from them.
It is also an interesting site to find news and reviews about the arts.

Ents web
www.entsweb.co.uk
This is a website that advertises auditions and jobs, Many European employers advertise here for cabaret type shows which is the main area I work in.
Although I mainly use this site to find auditions it also has a lot of other information on this site about all aspects of the entertainment industry including courses and accommodation.

Dancers Int.co.uk
http://www.dancersint.co.uk/
This is a website and also an agency, that advertises forthcoming auditions and vacancies for dancers. I attended an audition recently that was organised by this agency and will work at Christmas in Holland as a result. There is also a section of contacts, which I have used to promote myself.

BBC news
http://www.bbc.co.uk/
I read the news on this website daily.
Wherever I am in the world I can keep up to date with what is happening in the world, including the entertainment industry. I find this a big comfort in life as I am often not in the U.K, I don’t like to feel out of touch with the world.

how we see ourself?

Just a quick thought before bed... I went to an audition earlier today, which actually inspired me to go and take class, something I don't do often enough!
While i was dancing I felt ok, I seemed to be on the right track so I thought, then i caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye in the mirror, and I looked nothing like I imagined! In fact I was quite disturbed! Do we go around seeing what we want believe? only to have these brief moments of realization? I used to dread the video camera coming out at college as I have always been self critical, but i think after being left to my own devices more or less since graduating i could do with seeing the evidence a bit more!
What do you feel like when you see a video of yourself? Is it generally what you invisaged?

my CV

What started as a weekly hobby every Thursday after school and before Brownies, became the thing that has shaped my life, becoming my passion, my outlet, allowing me to travel far and wide, to experience people and cultures I could only of imagined all those years ago holding onto my blue plastic chairs and staring out the windows of the local church hall.

I must say I was not a natural talent! Years of hard work and hours of persistence got me
to level where I could consider this as a profession.

At the age of sixteen I moved to Manchester to further my training and it was here I had my first teaching position teaching at a dance school. Each Saturday I taught lessons in ballet, tap and jazz. Here I had to prepare students for examinations over the year, prepare and teach free jazz classes and choreograph pieces for both solo and group performances in a variety of genres. This job proved to be very enlightening.

My three years training at Performers College proved invaluable; three years of long hours both in the studios at college and at home in the evenings documenting each day, studying for Anatomy and Physiology in my first year, my I.S.T.D Associate Modern in my second and in my third preparing for the outside world and completing my Contextual Studies for my Trinity National Diploma in Professional Dance.

During this Three year course I trained extensively in Ballet, Tap, numerous genres of Jazz, and Contemporary dance.
In my third year I chose to specialize in dance but for the first two years I studied musical theatre where I developed my skills in Speech, Drama, Singing and Musical Theatre. I found a love of acting so at the weekend I attended the London Actors workshop and trained in acting for the stage and for the camera. Putting this to good use I appeared in two showcases at the Courtyard Theatre, London. I also appeared in numerous corporate events at top London hotels, including “ Fashion with balls”, along side the England Rugby team, and models Jodie Kidd, and Shopie Anderton.

My training has enabled me to secure a place in the profession working continuously since graduating in a range of productions and companies, upon graduating I performed alongside the Osmond brothers in “Broadway’s spirit of Christmas” in the USA, I then moved to Paris to become a “Doris” girl dancing the French can-can at the Moulin Rouge, Staying in France I also worked in the third largest cabaret in France, Royal Palace. I have also done various casino contracts around Europe. During these contracts I have expanded my knowledge of dance styles. I have also learnt a lot about my chosen industry and what is expected and desired as a professional performer. From preparing for auditions, dealing with agents, managing and promoting yourself as a performer to other aspects such as rehearsals, costumes and wigs applying false eyelashes and also maintaining the choreography as personal flair creeps in, another important aspect is to maintain your own technique and physique I have experience taking daily warm ups and technique classes at work before the performances.
Very often in the production and rehearsal stages of a show the hours are long and strenuous, the schedules are often very tight and so it is imperative that you as a performer are physically and mentally alert as well extremely organised and able to communicate with those around you in every position. Travelling extensively and working on varying projects have defiantly made me tune my organisational skills as moving your life to a different country would be a disaster otherwise!
I am unsure where my life after a performer will take me at this stage, which is unusual for me as I spend a large majority of my life planning and setting myself goals, but I hope over the duration of this course I will discover new opportunities and interests to guide me towards a sustainable career in my chosen profession, where I know I have something to bring the table.

Whatever happened to my little pony?

I have just seen this video posted on a friends facebook, while it is quite amazing they have reached this standard already, I wonder what sort of training regime they must have, and is really natural for children so young to be so advanced? I am all for natural talent but i just hope there are not three mothers with whips at home!

I don't have children yet but at the age of seven this Isn't what i envisaged!

Low pay a problem for the dance sector.

I was reading the stage newspaper this morning and this article stood out, http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/25675/low-pay-a-problem-for-dance-sector-ace
It was a coincidence because yesterday I received an e-mail about an audition where the pay gap for singer to singer dancer was up to £300 a week! What a price for a tuneful voice, you can guarantee that I'll be singing my heart out in the shower for the next week trying to brush up!
I always wonder, is there a shortage of good singers out there or is that there are just so many dancers they think they can pay what they like?

Hello all

Hello everyone, nice to meet you all at the induction, sure I'll be speaking to you soon when you all start blogging something....
Have a nice weekend. Tara.