Participation forms available
Forms can be submitted online by clicking here.
The Sleeping Beauty at Cornerstone Arts Centre
The Downland Dance Performance Academy is excited to present “The Sleeping Beauty” – a captivating fairytale dance show featuring exciting guest dancers from The Croatian National Theatre! This full length classical ballet tells a much-loved story, as we follow Princess Aurora along her 100 year journey, complete with elegant fairies, the vengeful Carabosse, and a dashing prince. The lush costumes and whimsical choreography will transport the audience into a fairy tale world, filled with beauty and wonder. Set to the famously enchanting score by Tchaikovsky, this rendition of “The Sleeping Beauty” beautifully captures the essence of youth, hope, and the timeless magic of ballet.
The Sleeping Beauty will be performed at Cornerstone Arts Centre on 25th and 26th July 2025.
Our Guest Dancers:
Valentina Štrok
Soloist - Croatian National Theatre
Valentina Štrok was born in Zagreb where she studied ballet at the State Ballet School of Zagreb. At the age of 16 she joined the National Ballet of Croatia in Zagreb where she has danced as Soloist and Corps de Ballet in productions such as Dyad 1929 by Wayne McGregor, Concerto Barocco by George Balanchine, II.Symphony by Uwe Scholz, Decadance by Ohad Naharin and Hamlet by Leo Mujić.
During her career, Valentina has also been invited as a guest artist to dance in prestigious galas such “Roberto Bolle and Friends” and “Gala de Ballarins Catalans al Món”.
Arnau Velazquez
Artist - Croatian National Theatre
Arnau Velazquez was born in Barcelona where he studied classical ballet at Centre de Dansa de Catalunya. After graduating he joined the Royal Opera House of London where he performed in Death in Venice by David McVicar. In 2020 he joined the National Ballet of Croatia in Zagreb, where he has danced in productions such as Dyad 1929 by Wayne McGregor, Decadance by Ohad Naharin, Giselle by José Carlos Martinez, Peer Gynt by Edward Clug and Hamlet by Leo Mujić.
Arnau has been invited to dance as a guest artist in galas such as “Roberto Bolle and Friends” or “Gala de Ballarins Catalans al Món”.
On top of his work as a dancer, Arnau has a passion for choreography, and has created works such as a piece titled #2, which was performed as part of “Gostovanje Baleta HNK Zagreb” in Varaždin.
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Taking Part
We know that show time is the highlight of the year for our dancers. The Downland Dance Performance Academy allows students of any age and ability to get up on the stage and showcase their talent in front of family and friends. Our 2025 production will be a full-length interpretation of ‘The Sleeping Beauty’, with performances at Cornerstone Arts Centre on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th July, and choreography by our very own Maryna Yegorova. After the success of last year’s performances, we are delighted to once again be inviting professional dancers to appear in the leading roles. Sharing the stage with professionals, as well as performing in a real-life theatre, promises to be a unique and exciting experience for our dancers!
The programme will run over the 2025 Summer term, with the bulk of rehearsals every Sunday. Some dancers will also have rehearsals during the week, including, if necessary, during their normal dance classes. There will be 2 performances and a General Rehearsal split over the show weekend, and our Annual Awards Ceremony, where we acknowledge the achievements of our dancers, will conclude the final performance.
During the process, dancers will learn how the casting and rehearsal process works in a real dance company. The dances will be choreographed directly with them during their weekly rehearsals, and they will be able to draw on their creativity as they contribute to the choreographic process and put their artistic spin on the roles they have been assigned. Each dancer will have their costume (or costumes) made to measure especially for them by our fantastic head of wardrobe, Rebecca Coles, and they will get to interact with the magnificent scenery and props being created by Maggie and Tim Morris.
In the final days before the performances, all of the performers will come together for our ‘full call’ rehearsals at Aureus School, where we will piece the show together, and give each dancer an understanding of how the story is told through their dances. On the afternoon of Friday 25th July, the dancers will meet at Cornerstone Arts Centre for a ‘General Rehearsal’, where they will get to experience the lights, costumes, sets, props, stage, and music all coming together to create the magic of theatre for the first time before the performances start.
Anyone who loves to dance can take part in the DDPA (including adults and beginners)! We only ask that you fill in and submit a participation form before the closing date of Sunday 2nd March 2025, and pay the participation fee by the end of the summer half term (Friday 23rd May).
Dancers who take part will get to learn new ways of moving their bodies, and understand how the steps they’ve learned in their normal ballet classes relate to the fun routines they can perform on stage. They will also learn how to pick up, retain and perfect dance routines, just as professional dancers do, in a way which will help improve their versatility in dance, and boost their confidence in life, and on stage!
SHOW PREPARATION TIMELINE:
6th February 2025
Sunday 2nd March 2025
Deadline to return completed forms
Sunday 2nd March 2025
27th April 2025
Rehearsals start
For most dancers, rehearsals will be every Sunday in our Abingdon studio. You will be emailed a rehearsal schedule to let you know your timings ahead of time.
22nd - 24th July 2025 - (Key Dates)
Full Cast Rehearsals
All performers will attend these special rehearsals together at Aureus School, where we will piece the show together. These rehearsals will run from 5.00pm – 8.00pm, but our youngest performers, and Silver Swans dancers, will be allowed to leave early.
22nd - 24th July 2025 - (Key Dates)
25th - 26th July 2025 - (Key Dates)
Performance Dates
Performances will be at Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot.
Previous Performances
Previous productions of the DDPA have included:
- The Nutcracker
- Coppelia
- The Jungle Book
- The Little Mermaid
How To Get Involved
If you or your child loves to dance, and you’d like to get involved, please have a read of the important information below, and then head over to the application page and submit a form before the closing date (2nd March 2025).
Important Information:
Key Dates
Please only commit to the show if you/your child can attend all key dates:
‘Full Cast’ Rehearsals (Aureus Secondary School, OX11 6FF):
- Tues 22nd, Weds 23rd, and Thurs 24th July:
- 5.00pm – 6.00pm (dancers from Overture, Pre Primary, Primary, Grade 1, Silver Swans, Achievers Club, and Soloists)
- 6.00pm – 8.00pm (Grades 2-4, Junior Risers, Achievers Club, and Soloists)
- 6.30pm – 8.00pm (Grades 5 – Adults).
General Rehearsal (Cornerstone Arts Centre):
- Fri 25th July: Dancers arrive at 11.30am for rehearsals from 12.30pm – 3.30pm (dancers from Overture – Grade 1 and Silver Swans may leave after the first act).
Performance Dates (Cornerstone Arts Centre):
- Fri 25th July: Dancers arrive at 5.00pm for 6.00pm show (dancers from Overture – Grade 1 and Silver Swans may leave after the first act)
- Sat 26th July: Dancers arrive at 1.00pm for 3.00pm show (dancers from Overture – Grade 1 and Silver Swans may leave after the first act).
More information is available on our timetable page.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will be held in our Abingdon West Wing studio, on Sundays throughout the summer term. We rehearse over a full term to give our dancers enough time to get to grips with the choreography, which helps them feel secure and confident on the stage. Dancers will be called in groups, according to the parts they are playing in the show, to learn their choreography. Most students will be required for around an hour each Sunday (apart from half term), although those asked to dance solo roles may be required for multiple rehearsals on any given week. Our youngest dancers (Overture and Pre-Primary students) will have shorter rehearsals, and won’t start until after half term. Click here to see a draft rehearsal timetable. Attendance at rehearsals is crucial, as regular absences can drastically affect the show experience for other dancers. Please only commit to the show if you are able to reliably come to each rehearsal.
Performances
The running time of the show will be about 2 hours, and will include a short interval (Saturday’s performance will conclude with our Annual Awards Ceremony, and so will be slightly longer).
There will be a check-in/check-out procedure upon entry into the venue. Your children will be chaperoned whilst in the venue, and no parents will be allowed back-stage.
Photos and Video
The performances will be photographed and filmed. By signing up to take part, you agree that your/your child’s images may be captured, and that we may sell those images or use them for future marketing.
Select ‘Add Photos and Video’ on the sign up form to receive:
- A link to view all photos taken over the performance weekend, and download as many as you like, and
- 1 x DVD or digital download of the performance.
- Price: £30 (added onto your participation fee).
Both of these products can be purchased individually later at a price of £20 each.
Participation Fee
The participation fee covers all rehearsal and tuition costs over the full course, as well as the cost of creating costumes. Participation fees can be paid in one lump, or in installments, but the full cost must be paid by Friday 23rd May 2025. The participation fee is:
- Overture and Pre Primary: £60
- All other students: £85.
We believe that performance opportunities are a vital part of dance training. If you/your child would like to take part, but you have difficulty in meeting the cost of participation, please contact Adam at: adam@downland-dance.co.uk (please note that limited assistance is available).
Participation fees are non-refundable.
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