Students from Nyngan High School have put their best foot forward dancing in the Western NSW Dance Festival at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre last Tuesday.
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The students were among more than 400 eager dancers from across Western NSW to take part in the festival which supports the development, teaching and love of dance in local public schools.
The Nyngan group performed 'hip to be square' which explores office life and the break away from monotony.
Using the elements of dance, students showed their rebellious side as they bring a little 'fun' to their working environment.
NSW Department of Education arts coordination officer Di Reichelt said performances covered a wide variety of genres.
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"There's everything from contemporary, modern, jazz, old time, 1970s disco and theatre," she said.
"All groups had to send in a short filmed audition before the festival so organisers could balance the schedule."
Ms Reichelt said the tournament has been going on for almost 20 years now.
"It's a real opportunity for children to have a chance to perform at a professional venue, with the lights and smoke," she said.
"It's a celebration of their dancing curriculum, not like the eisteddfods, when they're competing against other people."
Not only does the festival give the students to opportunity to showcase their creativity and performance skills, it gives them the chance to dance at one of the region's foremost theatres with professional staging.
It is also a step towards some of the wealth of enrichment opportunities in the creative and performing arts offered through NSW public schools.
Ms Reichelt said dancing adds to the students social skills.
"It also improves their team work and movement and a whole range of other skills," she said.
"It's a physical expression, but it is also a creative one.
"All items have been choreographed by students and teachers."
