Dancers from HSDC’s A Level Dance programme at Havant Campus and the Level 3 Diploma in Dance, Performance and Choreography at South Downs Campus have achieved an outstanding second-place finish at this year’s Dance Live competition at Portsmouth Guildhall.
Dance Live is a competition that invites schools and colleges to craft a seven-minute dance piece centred around a chosen theme, encouraging performers to push the boundaries of non-verbal storytelling. The creativity of the competition allowed HSDC’s students to think outside the box, applying the skills that they had learnt in lessons to their personal passions.
HSDC’s ‘Red Ribbon’ was very popular with dances.
This year, HSDC’s entry was called Red Ribbon, and stood out at the competition for its artistic ambition, emotional depth and powerful social commentary. Drawing inspiration from the hit musical Rent and TV show It’s A Sin, Red Ribbon explored the HIV crisis in the UK during the 1980s – a time when misinformation, stigma and inaction had devastating consequences for a marginalised community.
Many students chose the theme for its personal meaning, particularly those who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community, and were determined to handle the subject with integrity and empathy. HSDC is strongly committed to making every student across all three campuses feel welcome, no matter their identity or sexuality, and the performance of Red Ribbon is a testament to this commitment.
HSDC’s performance at Dance Live was a poignant tribute to those affected by the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.
The result was a bold, heartfelt performance that honoured the lives of those too often overlooked or forgotten. HSDC’s Dance Team said:
“Art helps us understand lives beyond our own, and being an ally means refusing to let these important stories fade. Whilst uncomfortable stories come with risk, trusting young people to tell those stories with empathy is worth being brave for.”
The group’s success is a reflection of HSDC’s positive atmosphere of excellence both inside and outside of the classroom. The College places a strong and unique emphasis on students’ ability to think critically, create courageously and use their voice – whether that’s through academic study, performances or community engagement. This ethos is reflected in the Dance department’s consistent ability to nurture young people into performers who are technically skilled, creatively ambitious and socially conscious.
The College would like to congratulate all students and staff involved in Red Ribbon, and looks forward to supporting their future successes as they continue to develop as artists, storytellers and leaders.