Sarah Riach

I teach a number of modules at all stages of the BA (Hons) Performing Arts course including:

• Arts Identity and Industry
• Musical Theatre Practice
• Dance Practice and Application (Tour)
• Musical Theatre Performance
• Ensemble Performance

I have supervised dissertations in:

• Arts in Education
• Community Arts
• Musical Theatre
• Drag

Research areas of interest:

• The role of social media within higher education. This empirical study investigated the use of Web 2.0 technology and its place within education (basis of MA dissertation).
• 'Small Steps, Giant Jumps' involved an investigation into how children and parents can learn and develop effective communication, social skills (meeting child milestones), and healthy living through dance and creative play. (Collaboration with Rachel Emms).
• 'Learning Bods ©' designed for Key Stage 1 and 2, the interactive performances teach key aspects of the curriculum through dance theatre. This outreach has been commended by an educational specialist consultant as an excellent and innovative model of practice. (Collaboration with Rachel Emms).

DUSC productions:

• 'Turn it up a little bit' (2011)
• 'Citius, Altius, Fortius' (2012)
• 'System 28' (2013)
• 'Dimension 40' (2014)
• 'Wizzpopping Stories' (2015)
• 'Numberbods ©' (2016)
• 'Sciencebods ©' (2017)
• 'SiO2' (2017)
• 'The Three Spirits' collaboration with Beamish (2014-2017)
• 'Numberbods ©' (2018)
• 'Memorybods' (2019)

In addition to my role at the University, I freelance as a choreographer and work for a local children's theatre company. This often involves me working with local children who perform as part of professional Musical Theatre touring productions at venues such as Sunderland Empire, Theatre Royal Newcastle, and Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle.

Recent productions include:

• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Sunderland Empire 2016 and Metro Radio Arena Newcastle 2017
• Evita, Sunderland Empire 2017