Introduction

This week on Spotlight Support: Behind the Scenes, I'm joined by 17-year-old Irish dancer Niamh Fox, who gives us an insight into the dedication, discipline and determination behind competing at a high level in Irish dancing.Niamh takes us through a typical week of training, the commitment involved, and the mindset she brings to competition life. We chat about managing nerves, expectations, nutrition and the pressures that come with being a successful young dancer.We also hear about her incredible opportunity to perform in Riverdance this past summer, following her involvement in their summer programme, as well as her experience stepping into the world of musical theatre and the differences between competing and performing as part of a cast.From the demands of training to the excitement of the stage, Niamh shares her experiences, ambitions and what the future might hold.A brilliant insight into the world of competitive Irish dancing, the work that goes on behind the scenes, and the opportunities that can come from pursuing something you love.🎙️ Spotlight Support: Behind the Scenes - honest conversations about life in dance, theatre and the performing arts.CONNECT WITH SPOTLIGHT SUPPORTSpotlight Support provides counselling, workshops and wellbeing resources for the dance and performing arts communities.📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/spotlight__support?igsi=MWd1Z2Y0ZjJuanNrbw==⁠Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/18xifAbKFk/⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@spotlight.support?_r=1&_t=ZN-99SN7vwsmgQ⁠🔗 Resources, updates and mailing list: ⁠https://spotlightsupport.myflodesk.com/link-in-bio⁠If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and share it with someone who might find it interesting.

We're back with Ronan Johnson for Part 2 of our conversation on Spotlight Support: Behind the Scenes!This week, we turn our attention to boys in dance and the performing arts, exploring their experiences, the challenges they face and the importance of encouraging more boys to get involved.Ronan also takes us behind the scenes of 'Called Out', a powerful one-man show produced by his sister's production company - Wee Yarn Productions - which is currently touring and addresses the issue of violence against women and girls. He shares his experience of being involved in the production and the important conversations it aims to create.Another insightful, honest and entertaining conversation about life in the performing arts, both on and off the stage.🎭 Spotlight Support: Behind the Scenes – real conversations with the people behind the performers.CONNECT WITH SPOTLIGHT SUPPORTSpotlight Support provides counselling, workshops and wellbeing resources for the dance and performing arts communities.📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/spotlight__support?igsi=MWd1Z2Y0ZjJuanNrbw==Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/18xifAbKFk/TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@spotlight.support?_r=1&_t=ZN-99SN7vwsmgQ⁠🔗 Resources, updates and mailing list: ⁠https://spotlightsupport.myflodesk.com/link-in-bio⁠If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and share it with someone who might find it interesting.

In Part One of my conversation with Ronan Johnson, we explore his journey into musical theatre and acting, from growing up in Mid-Ulster and attending local theatre classes to pursuing professional training in London.Ronan shares his experiences of studying at Italia Conti before completing a three-year acting degree at PPA, and we discuss the challenges of moving away from home, finding your feet in a new environment and making the transition from performing as a hobby to pursuing it as a career.We also touch on the perceptions of boys in performing arts, the importance of finding your people and what it really means to turn something you love into your profession.An open and honest conversation about ambition, training and finding your place in the performing arts industry.CONNECT WITH SPOTLIGHT SUPPORTSpotlight Support provides counselling, workshops and wellbeing resources for the dance and performing arts communities.📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/spotlight__support?igsi=MWd1Z2Y0ZjJuanNrbw==Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/18xifAbKFk/TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@spotlight.support?_r=1&_t=ZN-99SN7vwsmgQ⁠🔗 Resources, updates and mailing list: ⁠https://spotlightsupport.myflodesk.com/link-in-bio⁠If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and share it with someone who might find it interesting.

In this episode of Spotlight Support: Behind the Scenes, I'm joined by Clodagh Doyle, owner of Quinn School of Irish Dancing, for a refreshingly honest and funny conversation about her journey in Irish dance and the realities of life as a teacher.We chat about everything from competitions, judging, costumes and the misconceptions surrounding Irish dancing to being a dance mum, teaching your own child and the challenges that come with running a dance school.Clodagh shares her experiences with plenty of humour, honesty and a few home truths about what really goes on behind the scenes.A must-listen for any dance teacher!CONNECT WITH SPOTLIGHT SUPPORTSpotlight Support provides counselling, workshops and wellbeing resources for the dance and performing arts communities.📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/spotlight__support?igsi=MWd1Z2Y0ZjJuanNrbw==Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/18xifAbKFk/TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@spotlight.support?_r=1&_t=ZN-99SN7vwsmgQ⁠🔗 Resources, updates and mailing list: ⁠https://spotlightsupport.myflodesk.com/link-in-bio⁠If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and share it with someone who might find it interesting.

In our first episode of Spotlight Support: Behind the Scenes, I'm joined by former JLM Dance student Sophie Devlin.Having recently completed her foundation year at Laine Theatre Arts, Sophie reflects on her dance journey so far, the transition into full-time vocational training and what she's learned along the way.We discuss the realities of training, what has worked for her, the challenges she's faced and the lessons she's taking forward as she prepares to begin her three-year degree in Dance.Sophie also opens up about navigating an injury during her foundation year and the impact it had on her mentally, offering an honest insight into some of the challenges young performers can experience.An insight into the experiences, expectations and realities of pursuing a career in dance.CONNECT WITH SPOTLIGHT SUPPORTSpotlight Support provides counselling, workshops and wellbeing resources for the dance and performing arts communities.📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/spotlight__support?igsi=MWd1Z2Y0ZjJuanNrbw==⁠Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/18xifAbKFk/⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@spotlight.support?_r=1&_t=ZN-99SN7vwsmgQ⁠🔗 Resources, updates and mailing list: ⁠https://spotlightsupport.myflodesk.com/link-in-bio⁠If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and share it with someone who might find it interesting.

An IntroductionBefore we get into the conversations, here's a little background on the person behind the microphone.In this short introductory episode, I share a bit about my journey through the dance and performing arts industry, my move into counselling and how Spotlight Support came about.CONNECT WITH SPOTLIGHT SUPPORTSpotlight Support provides counselling, workshops and wellbeing resources for the dance and performing arts communities.📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spotlight__support?igsi=MWd1Z2Y0ZjJuanNrbw==Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18xifAbKFk/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spotlight.support?_r=1&_t=ZN-99SN7vwsmgQ🔗 Resources, updates and mailing list: https://spotlightsupport.myflodesk.com/link-in-bioIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and share it with someone who might find it interesting.Spotlight Support: Behind the Scenes