Community Partners
Billingham Ice Skating Club
Ice skaters from Billingham Ice skating club, led by coach and choreographer Christine Eskildsen, took part in all 3 shows on ice performed in Billingham at our festival: Peacock Lake, Ikebana and The Creative Spirit of John Curry, alongside international top professional skaters and performers
They also took part in several workshops and festival parades.
Tapshoe and Tutus and Respect Theatre
Tapshoes & Tutus and Respect theatre were Both established 2006 by Amy Cairney.
They are both based at Purple doors studios in Billingham it’s a community studio for dance & performing arts. The Groups are for local children and young people.
Amy strives to achieve their full potential whilst having fun, keeping fit and also developing hobbies which will stay with them for life.
The emphasis is on fun, fun, fun but students also have the choice to compete, take part in showcases community events and exams.
Amy started off as just a Theatre group in local social club, but, over the years the numbers grew and she got the studio it’s tripled with pupils and offers ballet, tap, modern, jazz, Drama, singing ,musical theatre, acro & musical Tots.
Amy is recently proud to present that she got an art award centre 2018. She welcomes all Abilities & Participants are between the ages of 0 -60!
Many students do take part in showcases & community events. They also compete in local dance competitions as well as national competitions & take yearly BATD exams.
Tapshoes & Tutus and The Respect Theatre have been part of Billingham festival as Community performers for the last 7 years and continue working with us on 2020 projects
Billingham South Community Primary School
Since 2011, students of Billingham South Community primary school, led by their arts teacher Christine Charlton, took part in every annual community project at Billingham festival, including dance residency with Keisha Grant, “Poetry in Motion” residence with ZENDAH and World Cultural Ambassadors project. The school students also create artwork reflecting on the annual festival themes, which is displayed in Billingham Forum during the two festival weeks.