PORTRAIT Dorset Youth Dance Company is auditioning to find new talented young dancers who show potential and passion in dance and want to take it to the next level.

Portrait develops young dancers through regular contemporary technique classes and choreographic residencies with professional dancers and companies.

Reanna White 17, who lives in Dorchester, has been a member of Portrait for two years and was cast last week as senior dancer for Cinderella, the Christmas Pantomime at Weymouth Pavilion.

She said: “The regular performance opportunities with Portrait further my skills as a dancer and every year my use of creative improvisation improves.

“I found the piece we did in the Debenhams store in Weymouth exciting as it was our first site specific performance and we received a lot of good feedback.”

Earlier this year, the youth company performed at several events such as the Dorset and Somerset U.Dance platforms, The Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis as a curtain raiser for a touring company, as well as appearing at the Anonymous Festival in Maumbury Rings.

The youth company is providing a step forward for young people who aspire to pursue a career in dance.

Previous members have gone to study at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and dance universities and have also become dance teachers or set up their own community dance groups.

If you are interested in joining, there are auditions at the Bay Theatre, Weymouth College on October 11 between 5pm and 7pm.

To receive an application pack for the auditions next Tuesday, email info@activateperformingarts.org.uk or for more information contact Aurore on 01305 260954, or visit activate performingarts.org.uk Company members will get the chance to taste the professional life of a dancer through rehearsals with the artist director Carly Reader three times every month on Thursdays.