The third year BA Performing Arts student, who studies at Anglia Ruskin’s Cambridge campus, has secured a role as a dancer in “Isles of Wonder”. The London 2012 curtain-raiser will be directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Danny Boyle and is inspired by a line in William Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
Alicia, who is originally from North Walsham in Norfolk, won through two gruelling auditions to land the role, and she’s relishing performing at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford on 27 July despite the months of hard work ahead and the enormity of the occasion.
“I’m ecstatic that I’ve been given the chance to perform to literally the whole world!” said 20-year-old Alicia.
“The biggest audience I have ever performed in front of is about 250, so the thought of 80,000 people and everyone watching on TV is a bit scary. But I’m absolutely buzzing that I’ve been given this opportunity and my mum and dad are very proud of me.
“The first audition was back in September and they were seeing 200 performers at a time, so it was a large process. Thankfully I was invited back for a second audition in November, which felt much more serious and I was asked to learn a routine. Danny Boyle himself was there watching and I got the chance to talk to him, which was a wonderful experience.
“All I’ve been told so far is that I will be dancing; I haven’t been told what is involved or even what kind of costume I’ll be wearing. I’m sure I’ll find out more once we begin the rehearsal process.”
Dr Gianna Bouchard, Programme Leader for Performing Arts at Anglia Ruskin, said: “We are very proud of Alicia. Her achievement in being selected for the opening celebrations is testament to her commitment and work over the last three years and it will be a wonderful experience for her, creating many lasting memories. We shall all be looking out for her on the night and supporting her.”
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For more press information please contact:
Jon Green on t: 0845 196 4717, e: jon.green@anglia.ac.uk
Andrea Hilliard on t: 0845 196 4727, e: andrea.hilliard@anglia.ac.uk