Posted 1 February 2019

Go Higher West Yorkshire/National Collaborative Outreach Programme are by now seasoned collaborators, however a visitor from over the pond took things to another level even by our standards!

In January 2019 Judine Somerville (http://www.justjudine.co/my-biography.html), star of stage and screen, flew in from New York City to work with students across West Yorkshire.  Primarily based at Airedale Academy with host Tracey Bell, Judine held workshops and mentored young people aiming for a career in performing arts.

The pinnacle of her week long visit culminated in a ‘Collaborative Taster Day’ held at The Mechanics Theatre Performing Arts at Wakefield College. Schools from the West Yorkshire region and students studying at Wakefield College were invited along to take part in a series of workshops delivered by Judine and Wakefield’s own Emma Bolland, as well as watching performances by students studying a variety of courses at Wakefield College.

To begin proceedings, Judine gave a motivational talk which was obviously delivered from the heart.  Every inch a star, Judine spoke with passion and had the students and staff hanging on to her every word.

Those who attended thoroughly enjoyed the experience, speaking of how they loved learning dances from Broadway spectacles such as ‘Hairspray’ and finding out more about the acting industry. One student said, “I liked watching different styles of dance and watching different people perform. I now feel more confidence about my own dancing, and performing in front of others!”