PERFORMING ARTS
The Cresset’s thriving Performing Arts Programme is dedicated to creating and providing opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities to explore their individuality and celebrate their talents through various aspects of Performing Arts. The programme provides an excellent grounding for children and young adults who are interested in developing their skills purely because it’s something they are passionate about or even with a view to pursuing a career in the industry.
This programme is co-ordinated by our Performing Arts Development Officer, Monique Benoiton-Smith. Monique has a wealth of experience in Performing Arts having trained at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts in London and ranking up credits through her work in theatre, television, film and radio. Monique is still actively working in the industry as a Theatre Director, Choreographer and Producer.
For more information on our projects see below. If you wish to discuss a potential project, or represent a school, group or organisation who would be interested in a performing arts collaboration you can contact a member of the performing arts team by emailing parts@cresset.co.uk
To keep up to date with new projects and opportunities, sign up to our performing arts mailing list to receive all the info right to your inbox!
Primary Dance Showcase
For many years, The Cresset has held two annual productions where we invite primary schools from across the Greater Peterborough area to take part in our Primary Dance Showcases. Each school is responsible for producing their own dance routine that fits in with the chosen theme for each production. The shows are well supported by schools and parents as it is such an unforgettable experience for children to be able to perform their routines in a professional theatre, with all the lights, effects and applause that they fully deserve.
Showcases are held every year in February and June.
If you are interested in finding out more regarding these showcases, future dates and what’s involved, please contact the performing arts team by emailing parts@cresset.co.uk
Dance On Board
This exciting showcase celebrates the vast talent that exists in dance and theatre schools from across the Greater Peterborough area.
With presentations of ballet, street, contemporary, tap, musical theatre, performing arts and more, it is a great way to see so many schools coming together and putting on a vibrant and diverse show.
If your dance or performing arts school would like to be involved in the next ‘Dance On Board’ show, which takes place in November please get in touch – parts@cresset.co.uk
The Performing Arts Programme has been running since the early 1990s, with a wide variety of events and productions. We will soon be updating this page with a gallery of previous events.
Nativity the Musical 2023
Relive the magic of this incredible live production! Nativity the musical was a CATS production, with a cast of 80 young people. Over 2,000 people saw the show, and loved it!
Find out more here
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Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Competition – “Our Queen’s Story”
To celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, The Cresset ran a competition for primary school children from across the City to present an important moment or event in The Queen’s life through the medium of performing arts – “Our Queen’s Story”.
This project was supported by Peterborough Reads and The National Literacy Trust, and part funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. We are passionate in promoting and encouraging the use of performing arts to develop language and communication skills as well as stimulating children’s creativity and expression. We feel this project was a fantastic way to do this, whilst celebrating a special moment in time that the children should be able to recall for many years to come.
You can now watch all the competition entries by clicking on the button below!
The winners were invited to participate in a VIP awards ceremony at The Cresset on 5th July 2022, and all the presentations were available for public viewing in a month-long exhibition thereafter.
There were no costs to being involved in this project which was supported by the Cresset’s Performing Arts Development Programme and The National Lottery Community Fund.
WINNERS:
Stars of the Future: ‘Royal Facts’ by St. Botolph’s Church of England Primary School (Peterborough & Ely Class)
Best Ensemble Presentation: ‘The Queen’s Coronation’ by John Clare Primary School (Lucy, Florence, Phoebe G, Tilly, Lilly, Matilda, Charlotte, Poppy T, Amber, Freya, Isabel H, Penelope, Ava, Millie, Roxie)
Most Creative Award: ‘Army’ by Thomas Deacon Academy (Aukse, Hasty, Sara)
Most Patriotic Award: ‘We’re Going On A Party Hunt’ by Heltwate Special Needs School (Magenta Class)
Third Place: ‘The Queen’s Love of Corgis’ by Heltwate Special Needs School (Coral Class)
Second Place: ‘Lilibet’ by Middleton Primary School (Dance Competition Club)
First Place: ‘The Queen & Prince Philip’ by Thomas Deacon Academy (Miss Small’s Dance Club – The Divergent Artistes)
The Cresset’s Choice Award: ‘The Queen & Prince Philip’ by Thomas Deacon Academy (Miss Small’s Dance Club – The Divergent Artistes)
Outreach Programme – Musical Madness
During the truly difficult and unprecedented times that our children and schools experienced since the start of the Covid Pandemic, we felt it was even more important for our primary aged children to have an opportunity to express themselves through singing, dance and drama.
This project allowed children to work in their own school environment with either their teachers or our resident professional Director and Choreographer. Each school rehearsed over a number of weeks, with all presentations being recorded by a professional cameraman, edited and streamed online in a combined performance. This allowed children to experience another aspect of performing arts – performing to camera and being able to watch their own performance at home with their friends and family.
Gallery – Click on a photo to view full size
It is essential to us that Performing Arts is accessible to children and young adults, regardless of their background or abilities.
We always welcome the opportunity to work with different organisations to explore new and innovative ways in which to make The Arts more accessible to the wider community. If you represent an organisation or creative group and would like to discuss opportunities for collaboration please do get in touch with the team parts@cresset.co.uk
Opened in 1997 with funding from the National Lottery, the air-conditioned dance studio is equipped with a sprung dance floor, full-length mirrors and barres. Students from age 3 up to adult enjoy a diverse mix of dance classes including ballet, street dance, contemporary dance, tap, and fitness classes.
For information on hiring the Dance Studio for classes or rehearsal space, please contact Pam Banham on 01733 842510 or email pbanham@cresset.co.uk