W.I.A is the London-Based Dance Agency Supporting Mental Well-Being in the Arts
Wrights International Arts is a London based agency for both children and adults. They coach and represent performers with distinct potential and assist them in a way that supports them, specifically utilising a positive mind set. They help performers understand their overall potential and ensure the development of mature, well rounded and confident performers.
They host a variety of different classes with ballet, jazz, contemporary, musical theatre, commercial, nurturing versatile artists. W.I.A finds it very important for their students to learn from a variety of industry professionals, and therefore invite guest teachers on a regular basis. Classes are taught remotely or at their studio in East London.
W.I.A are a unique, next-generation agency who are constantly creating a positive mindset and present a work hard, but stress-free environment. They provide meticulous training giving a great attention to detail in technique as well as supporting each individual on their journey to becoming a dancer whilst providing a positive field of encouragement.
“The industry is hard enough, we all know that” says Director and Coach of WIA, also the director of The London Ballet Company, Sophie Wright “I know of students who did not get set up properly for the world of work, just being taught the theory, and then get sent off into the world, we make sure we mentally prepare our Artists for the journey, both the highs and the lows, and that begins with ensuring they are prepared, both mentally and physically’.
The directors believe performing should be fun, lessons are interspersed with talks about mindset, focus, goals and emotional well-being within their intensive courses. They do everything they can to ensure the young people they work with are equipped and supported for auditions and jobs to help develop their professional performance journey.
Following the shambolic disregard for the arts and those who work in it during Lockdown, there is even more urgency to shine a light on bettering our mental health, and indeed support for young people working in it. Forbes said that “children’s mental health took a serious hit during lockdown, according to a new Oxford University study.” And it’s proven that “dancing improves memory, activates the brain’s rewards centres, makes you more intelligent, increases your confidence and reduces stress and anxiety” says HipHopPop. Therefore the sisters behind Wrights International Arts are adamant that young creatives should no longer take the hit.
Wrights International Arts are currently accepting applications to be represented in the professional industry for film, TV, musical theatre, ambassador opportunities, photo shoots and more along with their Sunday Sessions of additional training. Applicants will initially be asked to submit one head shot, one full length dance shot along with 2 short contrasting solo dance videos. Successful applicants will be invited to a photo shoot in London to be presented to clients.
Once accepted you will get the class timetable, which includes warm ups, body conditioning, ballet/jazz/modern/contemporary technique, followed by repertoire from shows, companies, or the founders own choreography. The repertoire is either jazz/ballet/modern/musical theatre/contemporary/commercial/lyrical.
Sundays provide supplementary training, Individual and personal feedback and corrections on where they can improve. A taste of different and varied styles. Confidence boosting and developing each individual as a performer. These sessions are held virtually and the students get to attend the in-person studio once a month in East London.