Catapult Dance Festival

Birklands Primary School

According to Darwin

Choreographed by Georgina Saunders-Fazzani, Megan Hockey and class.

Year 5 students from Birklands primary school have been working with dance artists Georgina Saunders-Fazzani and Megan Hockey to create a piece of dance especially for Catapult Dance Festival. Students have been developing brand new dance skills, including balance, strength and co-ordination whilst also getting creative!

According to Darwin is inspired by the scientific work of Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution. This is a topic that the children have been studying in both history and English. Darwin’s research on the gradual development of species was the starting point for this piece. The choreography reflects the process of evolution, showing the constant change and adaptation that occurs in nature as well as his work as an explorer.

Broomhill Junior School

Way up there

Choreographed by Emily Minnett, Charlotte Hoyle and class.

The selected year 5 and 6 students from Broomhill Junior School have spent the last 6 weeks meeting up every Thursday to collaborate and create way up there with the lead of dance artist Emily Minnett and assistance from Charlotte Hoyle. Let the group take you on an exploration through the stars, moons and planets - and we might just get a special visitor joining us too! 

Croft Primary School

React, repel, repeat

Choreographed by Georgina Saunders-Fazzani and class.

Year 5 students from Birklands primary school have been working with dance artists Georgina Saunders-Fazzani and Megan Hockey to create a piece of dance especially for Catapult Dance Festival. Students have been developing brand new dance skills, including balance, strength and co-ordination whilst also getting creative!

React, repel, repeat explores all things scientific. Based on topics of gravity, momentum and magnets, this abstract piece shows the physical interpretation of these natural forces. We explore push and pull, react and repel and the power of resistance to showcase this dynamic performance. 

Jump Start

Because we're Kool

Choreographed by Emily Minnett, Charlotte Hoyle and students.

Jump Start meets every Monday evening at Fabric iC4C. The group is made up of children aged between 7 and 11. The group works with Emily Minnett and is supported by Charlotte Hoyle. The session focuses on creative dance, with the group being encouraged to create their own movements from tasks.

Because We’re Kool is about all the things that make each young person unique and showcase their brilliant dance skills. Jump Start have been at the centre of making this piece, they have created all of the dance material and even their costumes reflect their creative vision!

Primary Steps

Water lilies

Choreographed by Georgina Saunders-Fazzani, Lucie Baxter and students.

Primary steps is The Royal Ballet Schools outreach program that offers high class training across the UK. Primary Steps Mansfield meet weekly to learn ballet skills and choreography in a creative way. This group of dancers is our level 2 cohort with dancers aged 8 and 9.

Water Lilies draws inspiration from Claude Monet’s iconic paintings, capturing the tranquillity of his garden. Through graceful, fluid movement, the dancers mirror the soft ripples and reflections on the pond’s surface and capture the delicate balance between stillness and motion. Like Monet’s brushstrokes, the choreography blends colours and textures, immersing the audience in a dreamlike world where the beauty of nature comes to life through dance.

Shadow Movement Project

Without order there is chaos

Choreographed by Emily Minnett, Georgina Saunders-Fazzani and students.

Dance assistants: Danni-Louise Chell and Lesya Tyminska

Without order there is chaos was commissioned for Catapult Dance Festival 2025 and created during a 3 day intensive period during February half term. Students came together from a mixture of youth dance groups, to explore an intensive choreographic experience and have an insight into being part of a company.

This piece explores the delicate balance between order and chaos, diving into the ways in which both forces shape our lives, communities and the world around us. Through movement we explore how structure can both empower and restrict, how games — whether personal or societal are played, and finding joy through both the order and the chaos alike.

West Y Dance

The painter

Choreographed by Georgina Saunders-Fazzani, Amber Murphy and students.

West Y dance meets weekly at West Bridgford young people’s centre. Our group is an open access inclusive dance session that meet on Wednesdays to keep fit, learn choreography, and explore new dance skills as well as and develop our dance knowledge. The group has 12 members ranging from 11 to 25 years.

This piece explores the creative process of paining a picture. We have explored brush stokes, pathways of the brush and the intensity of an artist in a creative role to devise this abstract piece inspired by The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh.

V.Create Youth Dance Company

Ripple affect

Choreographed by Emily Minnett and students.

Inspired by the movement of water, Ripple Effect explores how a single action creates waves of change. Like a droplet in a pond, movement expands, connects, and transforms. Dancers ripple through space, shaping and being shaped by each other, building momentum before returning to stillness.

MX Collective

Medusa

Choreographed by Jasmine Eccles and students.

MX Collective are a street dance community group, meeting every Monday at The Old Library. The company practises Hip Hop, Breakin' and other sub genres of street dance.

Medusa: A piece inspired by the struggles of the legend herself and the narrative that was forced upon her.

Foxwood Academy

Roll the dice

Choreographed by Emily Minnett, Georgina Saunders-Fazzani and students.

The Foxwood Academy group meets weekly and collaborates with Emily Minnett and Georgina Saunders-Fazzani. The sessions are all about having fun and trying new things. 

They have been exploring movement through the concept of the board game Snakes and Ladders, using actions such as climbing ladders, sliding down snakes, and rolling dice to experiment. Their exploration has culminated in the creation of a dance film that brings these movements to life.

Next Door Dance Youth Company

Huh?

Choreographed by Emily Minnett, Charlotte Hoyle and students.

Next Door Dance Youth Company meets weekly at FABRIC iC4C and is connected to the professional company. Led by company member Emily Minnett, with support from alumni Charlotte Hoyle, these sessions are for young dancers aged 11-18 to explore contemporary dance in a fun and supportive environment. Dancers are encouraged to challenge themselves, developing strength & fluidity, improving technique and creating choreography.

We are excited to share the recording of Catapult Dance Festival on Saturday 5 April 2025, between 6pm - 9pm. To watch, simply return to this page and follow the link below.

Click HERE for the Catapult Dance Festival broadcast

Please share the broadcasting with any family and friends that would like to watch the show.