Read the full article here: https://www.halesowennews.co.uk/news/23158470.academy-rock-jessica-fisher-boa-stage-screen/

On the 15th of November, both the students and staff of CORE City Academy took to the stage of the Birmingham Hippodrome to perform a musical theatre dance routine to a medley of songs by Elvis Presley.

City Academy signed up to take part in the ‘Strictly Project,’ and after that, the secondary school began working with artist resident Meghan White, who choreographed the dance.

The Strictly Project is run by the Hippodrome Education Network – which aims for people like Meghan to go into schools and introduce them to theatre. Over the past five weeks prior to performance night, she has worked with City Academy, amongst other schools, to help get their young people onto their feet and out of their comfort zones.

In total, four groups performed that night: three schools and then the Hippodrome’s Saturday School, a group of young people that come in to rehearse on the weekends.

However, unlike the others, City Academy got both their students and two of their own onto the stage…

One: Miss Nickesha Holness – the head of performing arts at the school, who formerly taught dance as well as drama, praised the group, remarking that, “You can judge for yourselves, and see how well they’ve invested in their characters, in the choreography, their focus, spacial awareness – all the ingredients needed to put on a show.”

Two: Miss Habibah Rasheed – an English teacher at City for only one term, who said it was, “a great pleasure” to spend time with the students outside of the classroom.

The entire show lasted for roughly an hour and a half, with each group performing their own dance with their own unique theme. City Academy chose to go rock n’roll to a medley of Elvis classics that gave fun and flair to their moves, especially given that the students took notes from Grease by acting out as their different cliques: T-Birds, Cheerleaders, Nerds and Teachers.

But how have the students taken to the challenge?

One student, Zunairah Nadeem, said how she feels performing that night was “a wonderful opportunity” and loves that, “I was able to do this with my friends.”

Another student, Shanti Mia Kahn, who played a cheerleader, expressed her familiarity with the art of performing as she already enjoys dancing.

Also a student, Alexander Fisher said that, “to get experience on stage is amazing – but to perform in front of a crowd means a real lot to me.” Alexander, who dreams of being an actor one day, greatly valued the whole journey.

The show was a massive success, and it’s no wonder why when everybody on board felt happy to be there, and proud to make the most of every moment. So who knows? – maybe we’ll see some of these budding performers again one day…