As well as workshops at Village Nation, the dancers will also attend workshops at The Lab, another brilliant dance school, says Hayley.
“Both are really prestigious and will teach the dancers a lot.”
After five days in Sydney, the group will head to the Gold Coast where they will perform at Dreamworld.
“Which is a great experience for them as well.”
Getting to Australia isn’t cheap, says Hayley, and the group has been busily fundraising through cake sales, quiz nights, a Cake n Sip evening where participants learned to decorate a cake while enjoying a drink and, next week, fundraiser shows in Stratford and Hāwera.
“We have been really well-supported by the community in the past with our fundraising and we really appreciate it. The shows are a way to fundraise while also giving people a great night of entertainment.”
Previous The Dance Project shows have been cabaret style, but this one isn’t, says Hayley.
“We wanted to do something different. It gives the dancers a different experience completely. To me, there is nothing like a theatre show, and they learn so much from it, the language, the sound and lighting aspects. We also have singers featured, which is another element for our dancers to learn. Dancing to live vocals is completely different.”
The singers, Cohin Thomason, Monique Matthews and Kelsey McEwen, are “incredibly talented, we are lucky to have them”, says Hayley.
“And we are lucky to have such talented dancers as well. The trip to Australia will show them just what can be achieved with their talent.”
The Details
What: The Dance Project and Friends Fundraiser show
Where: TET Kings Theatre and Hāwera Memorial Theatre
When: Friday, October 13, 7pm (Stratford) and Sunday, October 15, 4pm (Hāwera).
Details: Tickets - $30, under 5s free. Available from www.eventbookings.com/b/event/the-dance-project-friends-fundraiser-shows-stratford or at the door.
Contact Hayley via www.facebook.com/TheDanceProjectIncorporated or on 027 4633336 for more details or any fundraising opportunities.
Win: The Dance Project has given the Stratford Press a double pass to the Stratford show for a lucky reader to win. To be in to win, simply email editor@stratfordpress.co.nz with The Dance Project in the subject line. Include your name and contact details in the body of the email. Draw closes at noon, Wednesday, October 11 and the winner will be contacted that afternoon.