As our national tour of Snow White continues, one performance on the horizon holds particular significance — not only for our audiences, but for one of our dancers.
Apprentice dancer Tassia Sissins will take to the stage at Derby Theatre this month in a special homecoming performance, marking her first professional appearance in the East Midlands — the region where her journey began.
Tassia, 23, joined balletLORENT in 2024 as part of her postgraduate studies at Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds. As a full-time apprentice dancer, she has immersed herself in every aspect of our touring life — from rehearsals and development to delivering performances at leading UK venues including Sadler’s Wells East.
In Snow White, Tassia performs as one of the seven miners who protect and befriend the title character, as well as contributing to ensemble roles throughout the production. But Derby is more than just another stop on the tour — it’s a return to familiar ground for Tassia, who grew up in West Bridgford and trained with the East Midlands Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) in Dance.
“Performing professionally in Derby feels like a dream realised,” Tassia said. “My family’s support has been at the heart of my development as a dancer, and the chance for them to see me on a professional stage, so close to home, is incredibly meaningful. My Grandad lives just around the corner in Castle Donington, so it’s truly a homecoming.”
Tassia’s journey reflects balletLORENT’s deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of dance artists. Our apprenticeship programme, delivered in collaboration with Northern School of Contemporary Dance, gives early-career dancers real-world experience on professional stages, with mentorship from established artists and creative teams.
James MacGillivray, our Education & Projects Manager, said:
“Tassia brings creativity, discipline and passion to every rehearsal and performance. We’re proud to support her development, and Derby will be a very special moment for her — and for all of us at balletLORENT.”
The Snow White tour has been enchanting audiences across the country with its bold visual storytelling, choreography by Liv Lorent, narration by BAFTA-winning actor Lindsay Duncan, and a rich original score by Doctor Who composer Murray Gold. In Derby,nine children aged 6–8 from Firs Primary School will also take to the stage, creating a uniquely local connection that makes this performance all the more resonant.
balletLORENT’s Snow White stays true to the spirit of the Brothers Grimm original — complete with a magic mirror, poisoned apple, and a transformative journey through darkness to light — while reimagining the tale through the company’s signature blend of dance, design, and theatrical storytelling.
The production is suitable for audiences aged 5+, and Derby Theatre’s performance promises to be a heartfelt highlight of the tour as we celebrate Tassia’s return to her roots.
Photo: Tassia Sissins (right) Photographer Duncan Wood
