Inspiring Young Performers
by Kelly Craig
Rebecca Curbelo Valdivia is bringing a whole host of new creative opportunities to young people in Ayrshire. Her company, RCV Productions, is only three years old and she’s already making waves in the performance world in South West Scotland. In that time, young performers working with the actor and choreographer have learned lots of new creative skills, had incredible opportunities, and made memories to last a lifetime.
Over the last year she has taken Ayrshire performers to dance at the opening of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and the Harlequins v Saracens Showdown at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, created workshop opportunities at Base Dance Studios London with West End star Layton Williams and actress Meesha Garbett, and brought the Associate Choreographer of Disney’s new stage production, Newsies, to Scotland to work with her pupils.
With her impressive CV and training as a Scottish Ballet Associate, then Dance School of Scotland and Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, she brings a wealth of experience and is keen to share that in her practice.
“I really appreciate what I’ve been taught during my training. So many teachers have had a positive impact on me and I’m so inspired by their knowledge and passion that I want to pass that on to the young people I work with.”
Rebecca’s energy knows no bounds and with her pro-active attitude, she has seen her business go from strength to strength.
“It’s never about not doing it. I always find a way and I want to inspire that in the young people I work with; to find a way to do what they love.”
Rebecca has a refreshing approach to teaching dance and performance: “My classes and workshops are about combining performance with positive mindset,” she tells me. “It’s about building confidence and inspiring young performers so that they can learn about themselves and their skills.”
It’s so encouraging to hear of such a nurturing approach to performance in an industry that is usually so competitive. She strives to get the best from her students without the pressure usually associated with the performance world, and her teaching technique is yielding great results. Since lockdown she has been choreographing music videos from her base in South Lanarkshire and at Abbothill Studios on the outskirts of Ayr, assembling talent from both locations and showcasing the results in a new and exciting way.
“My students are able to discover their talent, showcase it and feel good about themselves when they see the results.”
This summer she will take young artists to the stage for a professional performance that combines acting, dance, movement, film and musical theatre in a unique Glasgow location. This exciting, dynamic approach that brings all disciplines together in the one place will take students on a journey of self-discovery and see them engage in their passion for performance.
Rebecca still performs herself and tells me that it’s important to inspire students by showing them you are doing something you love. Her passion for performance is luminous, her work ethic is remarkable and with her choreography on stages like the Theatre Royal, The Armadillo, The London Palladium and more recently on our TV screens, I think we are going to be seeing a lot more of Rebecca and RCV Productions.
Check her work out @rcv.productions
