Celebrating the individuality and creativity of young people in Hackney, East Side Story, part homage to West Side Story, hopes to deliver the message that society should look beyond the negative attitude towards someone wearing a hoodie. If it does, it might find a dedicated, passionate and sensitive creative young person.
Rehearsals took place at Clapton Girls Academy. The interest and uptake was tremendous. C-12 Dance Theatre has been involved in Discover Young Hackney for a number of years and numbers tend to be around 5-15 in participation, but this film has had enormous engagement and impact.
Filming took place at Hackney Town Hall, Hackney Empire, Hackney Marshes, Gillett Square and Clapton Girls Academy. 45 young people took part in the project from 11 schools and colleges around Hackney. Each attended 12 rehearsals and 4 filming days.
Since East Side Story premièred at the Hackney Empire on 7 February 2014, the young performers have started their own dance company, a legacy example for Discover Young Hackney.
Director/Concept Adam Towndrow, choreographer Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster, film maker Daniel D Moses, assistant director/choreographer Rosie Whitney-Fish, and camera man James Williams can be mightlly pleased with themselves.