A CHANCE for local young people to work with dancers from the National Youth Dance Company is being offered by the West Somerset-based Stacked Wonky dance company.

But there is only a week left for youngsters to apply for a place at the three-day Stacked Wonky Academy taking place from Tuesday to Thursday August 14 to 16.

The academy is part of Stacked Wonky’s year-long collaboration with the National Youth Dance Company, whose dancers, from all over the UK, will provide West Somerset youngsters with the chance to play alongside some of the country’s brightest young performers, as well as learn about NYDC and what being part of it means.

It follows a visit by 11 of Stacked Wonky’s youngsters to Sadler’s Wells in London during the Easter holidays to watch the NYDC’s premiere performance of “Used to be Blonde”.

Part of the trip involved the group performing a short piece of their own on the main stage to rapturous applause.

“As the NYDC only selects two regional dance partners every year, Stacked Wonky is hugely proud and excited to be involved,” said artistic director Sarah Shorten, who lives in Bossington.

“With the academy, we will provide an innovative learning experience for all students, as well as showcase the incredible depth of talent residing in West Somerset.”

The academy takes place in New Place, Porlock, and Stacked Wonky will use its walled gardens, surrounding woodland, hallways and cellars to offer young people a series of workshops focused on all aspects of site-specific performance.

These include contemporary dance, choreography, artistic directorship, playing with objects, costume and sound design, film-making and photography.

It is open to anyone aged six to 18 - dancers, skateboarders, parkour-lovers, musicians, singers, photographers, film-makers, writers, performers, inventors and dreamers, or just the curious.

Those attending don’t have to have any prior experience, just a willingness to have a go. As numbers are kept fairly low, everyone gets lots of attention.

It runs from 9.30am to 5 pm each day and students must be able to attend all three days. The cost is £45 and bursaries are available, but places limited so applications must be made by next Friday (August 3).

For more information visit www.stackedwonky.com.