Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Performing arts project will ‘inspire’ city school youngsters
A NEW performance project aims to transform a Dundee primary school.
Claypotts Castle Primary has teamed up with Dundee Rep and the Scottish Dance Theatre to deliver an intensive three-month creative residency.
The project aims to deliver the benefit of arts, music and dance to the pupils at the school culminating in a final piece of original physical theatre to be performed before peers, family, friends and the local community.
In the final performance, a group of P3 pupils at the school will be enrolled as newly trained “keepers” entrusted with the task of caring for things that have been lost and exploring their significance.
“Together they will examine objects, discover histories and share stories as they try to work out what to hold on to and what can be left behind.”
The residency has been led by two highly experienced creative practitioners, with Amanda Lowson leading on drama and John Ross leading on dance.
Amanda has been with Dundee Rep and the Scottish Dance Theatre for 25 years and is an integral member of the Engage team, working on a wide range of projects within the community.
John is an award-winning performer and choreographer who has worked extensively across the UK with prestigious companies such as Gecko Dance Theatre, Royal Opera House and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.
The project is a homecoming for John, who was a pupil at Claypotts Castle as a child. John said: “Claypotts was the primary school I went to as a child.
“It’s quite special coming back and sharing the space with children that remind me of myself.
“We have created a world where each week we have seen these young children not only grow in their confidence, but also within their imaginations.
“I truly believe that after this experience, they’ll believe in themselves more and with a little hard work, their dreams can come true.”
The pupils will deliver their final performances on March 20 and March 21.