WEST Lakes Academy ‘wowed’ judges at a regional dance competition for schools and colleges.
The academy’s team made up of 56 performers and crew from years 7-13 travelled to Sheffield to compete against other schools and colleges in the first northern Dance Live! event.
Pupils from the academy, based in Egremont, performed their seven minute piece ‘Sacrifice to the Blood Moon’.
The performance tells the story of travellers seeking refuge in a neighbouring community after a natural disaster strikes.
A warm welcome soon turns into anger as the moon worshippers believe they have brought bad luck - the curse of a blood moon - thought to be a sign of the beginning of the end of times.
Judges awarded the academy first place, naming them the Dance Live! Northern Champions of 2023. The team also scooped awards for costume and video journey.
West Lakes Academy teacher, Jenny Whitaker said: “As always our students perform with such professionalism and I couldn’t be prouder of them.
“This year meant a lot to so many of our students as this piece was actually created for another event in 2020. Unfortunately this was cancelled due to Covid so to re-do this was so special.
“We cannot wait to start planning for our 2024 entry!”
Dance Live! is an exciting dance event for schools and colleges organised by The Guildhall Trust.
With a focus on raising aspirations, strengthening health and wellbeing and developing skills for creative career choices, Dance Live! also delivers a range of supportive workshop opportunities for schools.
Embracing an ever-evolving digital world and how this is changing the face of modern performance, Dance Live! sees those in KS2-4 and Further Education compete with a choreographed, seven-minute, dance routine, set to the backdrop of a large digital screen, which they also create the content for.
Pupils showcase a range of skills from dance, performance and off-stage technical skills to creative design.
READ MORE: Tributes paid to West Lakes Academy teacher, Clare McConnell
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