By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A YOUNG Torquay dancer has scored a title role in a much-anticipated contemporary production alongside two Australian ballet stars.
Joshua Hunt will dance with The Australian Ballet’s ex-principal dancer, Damien Welch, and former senior artist Marc Cassidy in their first return to the stage since retirement.
Joshua plays the title role in The White Prince, created by internationally recognised artistic director Stephen Agisilaou with Melbourne’s Vertical Shadows Company.
Joshua, who trains with Fiona Luca at Infinite Dance Studios, said contemporary dance was his favourite style, “so this really worked out for me”.
Joshua auditioned for the big role “even though it (was) my first ever show”.
The quiet but self-assured 11-year-old said being the youngest cast member was challenging but he was learning a lot and gaining confidence.
“The White Prince is the story of friends in an orphanage and it’s about the choices you make in life,” he explained.
“The dance tells the story because there’s no dialogue, so I have to show my character’s emotions in my expressions and body movements.
“It’s different from what I normally do, so it changes the way I approach the moves, allowing the audience to interpret what I’m feeling.”
The show debuts on 16 May at North Melbourne’s The Meat Market.
