Two students at Leicester’s De Montfort University (DMU) have made their first moves towards a dance career this week when they began once-in-a-lifetime internships with world-renowned choreographer, Akram Khan.
The two midlands students, Amy Hollis (aged 20), who studies performing arts, and Gemma Ottey (aged 19) a dance student, will assist Akram Khan during rehearsals in the run up to his latest work and Curve co-production, DESH (13 - 17 September). The show receives its World Premiere at Curve on 15 September before it embarks on an international tour.
Amy Hollis from Great Barr, Birmingham said: “Getting the chance to work with a world-renowned choreographer like Akram Khan is a rare opportunity and being part of the rehearsal process in a professional company will be fantastic experience. I was ecstatic to hear that I had been chosen to be part of the production and I’m sure it will be an invaluable experience and insight into the industry.”
Gemma Ottey added: “Coming from a small village in the countryside (Heather nr. Coalville), it’s not as if the chance of working with an internationally acclaimed choreographer comes around every day. I knew when my teacher suggested the internship to me I would be going for it!”
Akram Khan Company offered this internship opportunity to two DMU students last year, when they were rehearsing for Vertical Road (14 – 18 September 2010) at Curve.
Rachel Farrer, one of the interns is now studying for a Masters in Dance, which she is due to complete in September. Looking back on her internship last year, she said: “Working with Akram gave me a huge insight into the world of a professional dance company. It was extremely useful for my MA research as most of it focused on professional practice. Akram and his company were kind enough to allow me to staying contact and interview him and some of his dancers for my research. Interviewing and observing such a high profile company for my MA really strengthened my research and will hopefully get my career in the Dance sector off to a flying start!”
Khan is a former DMU dance student and received an honorary degree from the University in 2004. Akram Khan Company is rehearsing in residency at Curve for this new production. DMU’s dance academics have developed close links with Curve and the Akram Khan Company over the years and will be working with them during the DESH production. The university’s dance department was offered the chance for two students to join rehearsals over the summer and following a rigorous application and interview process, Amy and Gemma were selected.
Jayne Stephens, Principal Lecturer in Dance at DMU, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for DMU students not only to see how a production company works but also to observe creative processes in the build up to a major premiere. It is indicative of the generous and open way in which the Akram Khan Company and Curve works.”
DESH is a co-production between Akram Khan Company and Curve and runs at Curve until Saturday 17 September.
