Importance of the Arts Celebrated in Summer Dance Showcase
21st June 2021 – Tags: Dance, Performing Arts
The importance of performance and the arts was celebrated as part of the Windsor Academy Trust Virtual Summer Dance Showcase filmed at Wolverhampton Arena Theatre.
Hosted by Windsor High School and Sixth Form, the showcase featured the end of year work from Windsor Sixth Form students and performances from primary and secondary children across nine schools in West Midlands that are part of the Windsor Academy Trust family.
In normal circumstances, students would have been performing live shows in front of audiences at Wolverhampton Arena Theatre, Forest Arts Centre in Walsall and Stourbridge Town Hall. Due to Covid restrictions, this wasn't possible, and a virtual showcase was held, which included filming the live performances of dance students from the Arena Theatre.
Windsor Sixth Form students at Arena Theatre
Research continually shows the importance of the arts in a child's development, and the showcase has been extremely positive for student wellbeing during a year where Covid restrictions have significantly impacted the arts.
The showcase provided students with the opportunity to perform and gain experience in a real theatre and Cara McLaughlin, Head of Dance at Windsor Academy Trust, said:
"The arts are a crucial part of our curriculum and provide many benefits that enhance child development and student achievement. Events like the showcase are so important to our family of schools, providing students with the opportunity to perform in front of audiences and express themselves.
"Our children had a wonderful time performing, and I am delighted that Windsor Sixth Form students were able to experience a real theatre despite the restrictions caused by the pandemic."
Keith Sorrell, Chief Executive Officer at Windsor Academy Trust, added:
"It was fantastic to be able to celebrate the importance of the arts and provide children with the opportunity to perform. The showcase featured incredible performances from our students and, although audiences were unable to attend in person, I am delighted that audiences were able to enjoy the showcase online".