Emergence is an all male identifying dance programme aimed to get more boys involved in dancing. It started just over 2 years ago and has constantly grown in numbers and popularity. It was created, developed and lead by Paddy Start, and without him this project would never have succeeded. I owe Paddy more than he will ever know as he has constantly developed me and so many others as performers and people. So thank you Paddy!

Our first video was filmed at Northern Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) as we were creating the programme. The second video was on the stage at the Dock and our most recent video was filmed in the beautiful main hall at Hymers College. We opted to Hymers as our venue as the creative vision of the piece was a fancy dinner party where all of the lads would be in tuxedos and we needed an equally great and beautiful venue.

As I attended Hymers for seven years, this was a really special, memorable and emotional day for me. I’ve been performing for nine years yet only managed to be a part of three school productions, two in the Junior School and my only Senior School performance was when I played Oliver Twist in Oliver!  Even though I only managed to be in one Senior School production I have been and supported every one since. 

The Emergence programme is one of the most special groups I have ever been a part of and the growth of everyone involved has been incredible.

I left Hymers after my GCSE’s in 2021 to go and study performing arts at NAPA. Since leaving I have been involved in many productions and played some amazing parts such as Will Bloom in Big Fish, Jeremy Heere in Be more Chill and in July 2024, I will be playing Wild Bill Hickok in NAPA’s ‘Big show’ Calamity Jane at Hull Truck Theatre.

In September, I am leaving Hull to go train at the top Musical Theatre school in the county, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ArtsED which is an achievement I am incredibly proud of.

Hymers has been a massive part of my journey which I am so grateful for. My last filmed project with Emergence being at Hymers was a real full circle moment for me, so thank you again to Hymers and the amazing staff at NAPA who without none of this would be possible.

Tom Gawthorpe, OH 2014-21

NAPA Emergence 24 (credit: Storyboard Media and NAPA)