Hackney Community College performing arts students: audience of 3.5billion at Games' Opening Ceremony

Posted 2nd May 2012

A group of nine Performing Arts and Circus Skills students aged 16-18, and two staff from Hackney Community College have been selected to perform in the event of a lifetime at the Olympic Opening Ceremony, which is expected to be viewed by 3.5billion people across the world.

The students are studying BTEC Performing Arts level 2 or 3, some with Circus Skills, at the college’s Shoreditch Campus.

The students and staff, although brimming with excitement, are not allowed to give any details about the performance or rehearsals, as they are sworn to secrecy until the big day.

Among the students:

Adilson Santos aged 18 came from Brazil to join the college’s (unique) Circus Skills Performing Arts programme.

Precious Omonswa aged 18 sees his involvement in the ceremony as the start of something big – a springboard to an exciting future in performing arts.

Kim Allen aged 16 was previously at Thamesmead School and also joined HCC because of the circus skills course. She wants to progress to a circus skills degree and tour the world.

Chloe Rooney aged 16 joined HCC from Dance United: “It’s nice to be part of a team were everyone is your friend, and to share this once-in-a-lifetime experience with them”

Leah Walker-Murrain aged 18 started at HCC on a media course and moved over to performing arts after her first year. “It’s such an amazing thing to be part of something so big and so important The ceremony looks brilliant. It’s going to be so exciting!” Leah, who joined the college from Highbury Fields school, added: “the secrecy around the event makes it even more exciting!”

Bria White came to HCC from Skinners Academy. She’s taking the ceremony in her stride and is really excited about performing in front of so many people.

Before the audition, the students worked together in preparation. As well as their performance training, they watched extracts from the Beijing 2008 opening ceremony to see the incredibly high expectations of performers at the Games. The group are also expected to act as high-performing role models for other performing arts students and as impeccable representatives of their college. They have excelled in all areas.

Alongside the students, two staff auditioned and were also selected: Adele Smith Performing Arts and Sport lecturer, and Ndenko Asong, a Faculty Administrator, are also proud to represent their college in this amazing spectacle.

Head of Department Paul Lazarus has the important role of chaperone for the event. He added: “The group has made an indelible mark with the organisers of the ceremony and have made friends and won the admiration of other performers with their charm, friendliness and good humour. We are very proud of their tremendous achievement and look forward to seeing them perform in the ceremonies.”