On Wednesday 16 January, Richmond upon Thames College’s (RuTC) first and second year Dance students performed at the annual IGNITE dance show held at the college’s theatre. Alongside RuTC’s own students, nine other local and diverse dance groups performed - Age of Grace, Orleans Park, Arch 197 X RUTS, Kew Dance Arts, High Street Tap, BalletBoyz Youth Company, St James Youth Dance, Twickenham School Dance Company and Tiffin Dance Company - to a sold out audience.

Over the past seven years, IGNITE celebrates local dancers of all ages and abilities. The dancing styles this year varied as much as the dancers themselves, from contemporary to urban dance and upbeat jazz to tap dance. All performances told powerful stories: dancers from Orleans Park expressed diversity and confidence; the Age of Grace Dance Company embodied courage and strength; and RuTC’s dance students inspired the audience with Chinese warriors performing the dance ‘Battle Cry’ and a contemporary number based on the legend ‘Fountain of Youth’.

Hannah Fryer, RuTC Performing Arts lecturer, said: “IGNITE is always a fabulous event and we’re especially thrilled to be able to host it for a seventh consecutive year. It not only gives a range of dance groups and organisations the chance to perform in a fully equipped theatre, but also gives our RuTC Dance students the chance to network with other working professionals too.”

Have a look at the photo gallery below and find out more about studying Performing Arts at RuTC.