BODYWORK PROFESSIONAL THEATRE & DANCE COMPANY

A Brief History

Bodywork Company Dance Studios was founded in 1981 by Theresa and Patrick Kerr, who were leading professionals in the world of dance and music. The school grew from a series of classes taught in and around Cambridge as well as a professional touring company, the Bodywork Dance Company. Theresa was also teaching jazz for major performing arts colleges in London and Patrick was touring with the jazz company.

1985 – The present building on Glisson Road was acquired, a former furniture warehouse that was converted into four beautiful dance studios.

1986 – Seeing a need to prepare students, especially beginners, for full time vocational training, the team created the foundation course. It was a success and still runs today.

1990 – Again seeing the need for a full, more demanding, full-time programme, we added in a three year Diploma course in Dance and Musical Theatre.

2001 – The Diploma course is validated by Trinity College, London, to offer the Level 6 Diploma.

2003 – Bodywork became part of the Government Dance and Drama Awards (DaDAs) scheme allowing students to obtain funding towards their tuition fees. Bodywork is also accredited by the ESFA and CDMT.

2009 – Bodywork began to offer the Trinity Grade 8 Qualification in Musical Theatre for the Foundation course.

2015 – Bodywork launch their new BTEC Level 3 qualification in Performing Arts.

Our Ethos

With over 30 years of teaching expertise, passion, care and commitment to The Performing Arts, I am delighted to welcome you to Bodywork Company.

Vision:
To build a fully inclusive, global family of disciplined, creative, inspirational and fulfilled practitioners in all of the performing arts.

Mission:
Bodywork works to industry standards and ensures that all students are given the tools to succeed at the highest level.

To inspire all:
Bodywork aims to remain an outstanding, fully inclusive family creating safe spaces and outstanding centres of excellence to support and encourage performers to be the best they can be.

Bodywork is dedicated to encouraging and inspiring performers in all the performing arts on the world’s stage. We believe all should be able to experience and become inspired by the performing arts. We aim to take a fully inclusive, holistic approach to the performing arts, embracing diversity.

Glorious creativity and discipline:
True mastery of performance is the marrying of creative flair with unfailing, progressive discipline and hard work. Making it in the industry presents a huge professional challenge. Bodywork works to industry standards and ensures that all students are given the tools to succeed at the highest level. We aim to maintain a performance in which over 90% of our recent graduates are working in the industry within 12 months of completing their training.

The Bodywork Family

We are committed to creating a close-knit, caring environment for our students. We understand that, studies aside, they are going through an important transitional period where they mature into responsible, conscientious citizens. The depth of experience within our faculty helps us to support students as they develop, giving them the cultural awareness and skills to become top industry professionals.

I look forward to meeting you at audition.

Theresa Kerr

Principal and Owner