New York City is a hotbed of dance talent, artistic exploration and stupendous Broadway productions, and Footworks Dance Academy is hoping a group of aspiring dancers and performers will be inspired when they pay a visit to the iconic metropolis.
For six nights and seven days from May 17 to May 23, 2012, a contingent of dancers, teachers and chaperones will descend on the city-that-never-sleeps, taking in Broadway performances, dance workshops, autograph sessions and the sights, sounds and smells of the Big Apple.
“My big philosophy is I really want to educate the kids. We really believe in educating the kids, so we do a lot of dance education trips and performance trips,” said the director, owner and principal instructor Irene Widdup.
This won’t be the first time a group from Footworks has made a trip to the Big Apple.
“This will be our third trip to New York and we are pretty excited about it. We’ll be taking a whole new crew of kids; I think our limit for this year is about 57,” said Widdup.
The trip will feature some exciting opportunities for the dancers like Broadway master classes, workshops for dancers, a trip to the Radio City Music Hall for a half-day intensive workshop with the world famous Rockettes, where dancers will have a chance to work with the Rockettes, and they will attend three Broadway or off-Broadway shows, just to name a few.
“The purpose of the trip is to expose the dancers to Broadway. We want them to see the different shows, and they’ll have the opportunity to speak to the performers after the show. It’s called an after-theatre chat. They get to sit down and actually meet the performers and set designers and really learn what it takes to put on a show. Last time we visited NYC, we had the chance to chat with the performers from the Lion King,” said Widdup.
Those who travel with Footworks to NYC will also have an opportunity to experience the non-dance/performance side of the city that-never-sleeps, with a trip planned to the Empire State Building observation deck, a NY waterways tour, a Manhattan Island City tour, a trip to The Metropolitan Museum, a ferry cruise to the Statue of Liberty and tour, plus time for shopping trips and sightseeing.
“We want everybody on the trip to get a taste of New York life. It is the Big Apple,” said Widdup.
Dancers 10 years old and up, along with parents/guardians are welcome to come. A parent or guardian must accompany all dancers 10 to 17 years old.
“The trip is also built as a family trip,” said Widdup.
The cost for the trip is $2,500 per person and is based on double occupancy.
“I really enjoyed the subways. There was a rhythm group that made music and performed using pails on the platform. Last time I went we got to see Hairspray and that was really fun. I was amazed by how good the performers are; it really inspires me. Dance helps me to escape the outside world and be able to express myself. I love it,” said dancer Alena Widdup.
It will be a first-come, first-served opportunity. Anyone interested in the FDA New York Dance Extravaganza, can contact the Footworks office by calling 780-674-4886.
