AUTHENTIC STREET DANCE & CREATIVE THEATRE COMPANY
Founder & Artistic Director
LAURA HOWELLS-GREEN
Laura is GRC's founder and artistic director, teaching both Street Dance and Youth Theatre, and writing and directing their original productions.
Graduating from Arts Ed, London with a BA (Hons) in Acting, Laura worked professionally as an actress in theatre and film both in the UK and internationally, before becoming one of the first 85 qualified Authentic Street Dance teachers in the world. Laura combined her two passions with the launch of GRC in 2012.
"Making it possible for our young people to discover their creative power, and to share it with freedom and passion, fills me with joy. "
Laura continues to train with pioneers of the street dance styles, such as Brooklyn Terry, Mr Wiggles, & Elite Force Crew members; and 2nd generation masters of the styles such as Mechanikool, Bagsy, Mademoiselle Ginger, Caramel Soldier & Andy Instone. Whenever possible Laura collaborates with these forces of the industry to offer world class opportunities for GRC students as part of our Masterclasses. Similarly, GRC’s youth theatre company is enriched with masterclasses in skills such as Prosthetics Make Up, Stage Combat & Musical Theatre.
Prior to her degree at drama school, Laura studied classical ballet, tap and modern dance for 15 years as well as Acting, Verse & Prose and Musical Theatre. She performed regularly with her youth theatre, dance school and with Oxfordshire Youth Music Theatre whilst also achieving her LAMDA Grade 8 Gold Medal. Laura gained a ‘DADA’ scholarship to attend Arts Ed, London and is a member of the National Youth Theatre.
Laura writes and choreographs GRC’s original Hip Hop Theatre productions as well as collaborating with the students to devise smaller pieces throughout the year.
“We celebrate student successes and the wider GRC family with open classes so students can regularly share their passion and progress with the people that mean the most to them. Before all else, our dance and theatre should inspire community, empowerment and joy.”
Alongside weekly classes Laura delivers specialist workshops in schools and for community groups. GRC regularly create tailored Hip Hop Theatre pieces for community events and arts festivals, and notably provided free workshops to almost 1000 school children as part of a unique Street Dance ‘Flashmob’ event for The GAP Festival - all supported with online video tutorials, choreographed and delivered in person, by Laura.
Laura is a qualified paediatric first aider, licensed chaperone and most recently completed the ‘Body Happy Kids’ masterclass with Body Happy Org, a training programme to help boost body image, health and wellbeing in children and young people.
Laura lives in Oxfordshire with her husband, Ben, and two daughters where she enjoys adventuring in nature, camping, beach days, festivals, writing poetry, going to the theatre, sharing delicious food with friends, and kitchen discos with her family.
Youth Leader - Goring Intermediates
ISABELLA
Bella has trained with GRC since the age of 11 in Youth Theatre, LAMDA acting exams and Authentic Street Dance. Additionally, Bella trained in ballet with the Karen North School of Dance and took multiple RAD exams and now also trains in Street Dance and Musical Theatre with Italia Conti, Newbury.
Bella has been a GRC Youth Leader since 2018 and has performed in numerous productions & showcases with us, as well as attending Masterclasses. Bella also performs as part of her training outside of GRC, as well as leading students through house and departmental performance events at her school.
"Dance and theatre build confidence, physical endurance and verbal ability in further life; performance builds teamwork skills and the ability to deliver under pressure. All together, the combination of the three sets a young person up for life to be confident in themselves and their abilities."
In her role, Bella hopes each child will feel they have someone to ask for help with their skills and to have faith that they will be forever improving and having fun.
"I would love to build an even better bond with the younger students, and then watch them succeed in future performances!"
Youth Leader - Goring Juniors
ELSIE
Elsie has been with GRC since the beginning! She joined in 2012 as one of our first Street Dancers and began training with our Youth Theatre, also, in 2016. Additionally, Elsie studies Musical Production, Street and Acting at Italia Conti, Newbury.
As part of the GRC family, Elsie has performed in every one of our productions & community showcases, as well as attending Masterclasses. In 2017 Elsie performed in original Hip Hop Theatre production, “UN4GHETTOBLE”, as a dancer and lead actor within her Youth Theatre group. She also performs in school shows.
"I really enjoy performing as a way to express myself and love the group feeling of being with all my friends and a second family."
In her role as a Youth Leader, Elsie hopes to help create a safe space and supportive family where people feel like they can be themselves without judgement and make new friends!
"I think dance and drama is important for young people as it's a great way to build confidence, make new friends and express yourself."