Connor Elliman

Why did you choose Chester?

I actually switched from Psychology to Performing Arts in May, and Chester still had spaces available. The course really appealed to me because it offered such a wide range of modules and possibilities! It felt like there were so many directions you could take your practice, which was really exciting.

What did you enjoy most about your course?

Definitely the possibilities. The course was so open, you could really shape it around what interested you. After my first year, I decided to focus mainly on movement and dance modules. The lecturers were all so passionate about their own practice, which made the teaching standard really high. We covered everything from Skinner Release Technique to Live Art, Creative Practices, and Choreographic Approaches. It was all so accessible, especially for someone like me who didn’t have a big background in the arts before university.

Do you have any advice for someone thinking about studying your subject? 

Leave your ego at the door and keep an open mind!

How did your time at Chester prepare you for your current role?

It was the variety of opportunities that really set me up. In my second year, we did a module where we created an interactive show for audiences with PMLD (profound and multiple learning disabilities) around Chester. It was delivered in collaboration with Cheshire Dance and led by Angharad Harrop.

After I graduated, Jane McLean (Creative Director at Cheshire Dance) told me about some assistant roles for their regular workshops. Honestly, if it hadn’t been for that module, I don’t know how I would’ve found my way into that world! The University’s relationships with local NPOs (National Portfolio Organisations) were such a great bridge into professional work.

On top of that, a lot of my technique training at Chester focused on improvisation and authentic movement, which really helped me build skills for creating inclusive, community-based dance spaces. Our creative modules also encouraged us to question our practice, to look back and ask why we were drawn to certain ideas. That reflective approach has been so useful for developing my own projects, including work with LGBTQ+ youth in partnership with Chester Pride and Warwickshire Pride. It’s been a bit of everything, really!

Did you take part in any extracurricular activities, societies, or internships while studying?

Our course was pretty full-on, but I did go to the Monday evening classes led by Encompass Collective, the in-house company at the University. It was great, Josh, Ellie, and the rest of the team were brilliant teachers and such supportive people who really understood what it was like to be a student. I also did Capoeira and yoga in the evenings. There was such a vibrant arts community at Kingsway Campus, it felt like there was always something creative happening.