DUBAI // A troupe of 22 young dancers is heading to Disneyland Paris this week to perform for crowds at the theme park, which is one of Europe’s biggest.
Step Up Academy in Motor City won the spot after submitting a Bollywood performance on video to the judges in France.
The expat youngsters, aged between 8 and 15, from 14 countries including Colombia, Egypt, Lebanon and Italy, will perform their 20-minute piece to more than 1,000 spectators.
“We are so proud to have been invited to perform on such a globally recognised stage and in doing so represent the UAE,” said the academy’s manager and choreographer, Victoria Lovering.
“Our students and our dance teachers have worked incredibly hard to achieve this acknowledgement from Disneyland Paris.
“They are all truly passionate about dance, which has shone through during the audition period, and we are confident that our group of talented youngsters are going to wow the audiences with their performance.”
During their trip, the students and teachers will take part in a workshop with the resort’s musical theatre and dance professionals.
Each year, Disney Performing Arts OnStage opens the door for amateur groups from around the world to be a Disney performer for a day. It is open to instrumental, choral, dance and parade groups.
The five songs for the performances, which will include street jazz and hip-hop, all represent diversity, including We Go Together from the movie Grease, and We Are One, a World Cup anthem.
Lina Jouha’s daughter Lourdes, 8, is one of the youngest children taking part in the performance.
The dancer and gymnast has four sessions a week at the dance academy on weekends or after school.
“This has been a beautiful way for us to see her true capacity,” Mrs Jouha said. “We never knew she had this in her.
“She’s grown in confidence so much and seeing her on stage, we have learnt more about her. Doing things like this are really inspiring her to see there is a career in this if she wants it.
“She is talking about wanting to be a dancer, and doing this trip is the kind of thing that gives her access to that experience and to help her grow her confidence.”
She said Lourdes was nervous because she was accustomed to smaller school performances.
Mihai Sarbu, a Dubai hand-balancing and aerial performer, said such international events were a positive way to highlight UAE talent.
“It’s great experience for these children to do this,” he said. “It’s a big venue with high expectations on the performers and it will teach the kids how to deal with real-time stage pressure.
“It’s different when you’re at home, when you know many people in the audience, when the venues are small, but something like this takes you more into the world of a professional performer.
“They will see how things work from the lighting to the dress rehearsals, and it will be a good learning experience to take them out of their comfort zone.
“It will really help them to decide if it’s something they want to pursue more seriously.”
mswan@thenational.ae
