Students from Helenswood Academy have been donning steel-toed boots and hard-hats to create a construction-themed dance piece on Hastings Pier.
As part of the school’s ongoing work with the Hastings Pier Charity, Ark 6th Form East Sussex dance students stomped across the pier in the performance which even involved construction workers.
The students wore workman’s boots, high-vis jackets and hardhats to complement the uniform of the construction workers. Sticks, brooms, tubes, newspapers all added to the rhythm of the Stomp-style piece.
The students devised their own work under the supervision of dance teacher, Elaine Vanner, which included involving the workmen in a tango as well as steps inspired by Swan Lake. This is not the first time Helenswood students have danced for Hastings. The school also took to The Stade as part of Hastings’ 2012 Olympic celebrations. The school also recently collaborated with the acclaimed Hofesh Schechter Dance Company to produce a stunning performance piece based on the company’s repertoire.
The day was part of the Hastings Pier Educational project. It was filmed by Jake Bowers, education research coordinator, for the In Living Memory project which Helenswood students are taking part in. Once the film has been edited it will appear on the Helenswood website and will be shown at the Pier Hub.