Emma Watkins

Young dancers experience the joy, professionalism and magic of a national touring production

For many young dancers, the dream of performing on a professional stage begins with hours spent in the studio, learning choreography, refining technique and imagining what life might be like under the lights. The Emma Memma tour is turning that dream into a reality, inviting young performers from communities across Australia to step into a professional touring environment and share the stage in a production designed around joy, connection and inclusion.

Created by Emma Watkins, Emma Memma has become a beloved world where movement, music and Auslan (Australian Sign Language) come together to celebrate different ways of communicating. Through the national tour, young dancers are not simply given the chance to perform, they are welcomed into the creative process, learning firsthand what it means to be part of a large-scale live production.

For Emma, creating these opportunities for emerging performers was always a meaningful part of the vision.

“Dance has always been such an important part of connection and self-expression, and it feels very special to create opportunities for young dancers to be part of the Emma Memma tour,” she explains.

While many young dancers are familiar with the world of concerts and competitions, Emma says this experience offers something entirely different.

“Our performances are highly interactive and there is a lot of spontaneity, so dancers learn to stay present, adapt and go with the flow in a live theatre environment for preschoolers and their families.”

Beyond the performance itself, the experience offers a rare glimpse into the workings of a professional production, from rehearsals and costume fittings through to technical preparation, stagecraft and the teamwork required to bring a show to life.

“It gives young performers a glimpse into a professional touring production while building confidence, teamwork and communication skills,” Emma says. “Every child has their own unique way of moving and expressing themselves, and it is wonderful to celebrate that while creating memorable experiences for young dancers and their families in communities right around the country.”

For 14-year-old Zoe Clementi from The Star Factory Joondalup in Perth, being part of the Ready Set Dance Kid Crew opened the door to every aspect of the theatre experience.

“My favourite part of being involved in the show is working with Emma and her team,” Zoe says. “I loved seeing the process of rehearsals, costuming, props, set up, stage rehearsals and then the performance and even the pack down.”

She was inspired not only by the professionalism of the cast and crew but by the warmth they showed the young performers.

“Emma is amazing at this, she is busy preparing for her own performances, but she always makes sure all the other performers are seen, having fun and are organised. Emma really makes sure all shows are full of joy for the audience and performers.”

The experience also created friendships that stretched far beyond the stage, with dancers from opposite sides of Australia staying connected long after the final curtain.

“Whilst working with Emma and Ready Set Dance Kid Crew I have made such strong friendships with dancers from around the country,” Zoe shares. “Even though we live on opposite sides of Australia we talk and message all the time and I think we will be friends always.”

For Adelaide dancer Joshua Ruigira from Empire Dance Studio, the opportunity carried a special sense of nostalgia.

“I was over the moon. I was so excited to be performing with one of my favourite childhood icons,” he says. “Knowing I had the opportunity to perform onstage next to Emma was something that made me so happy and proud of myself.”

Although stepping onto a stage in front of a live audience can bring nerves, Joshua found that the moment the music began, he was exactly where he was meant to be.

“Nerve wracking at first, but once I was on that stage I felt confident making all the young children happy. Being onstage is where I feel the most confident and comfortable.”

The tour also encouraged dancers to step beyond their comfort zones. As a hip-hop dancer, Joshua was challenged by learning ballet choreography for the production, a moment that became one of his proudest achievements.

“Learning this style made me really proud of myself to know I can push myself in a short period of time through hard work and dedication. These skills I can take into everyday life.”

Eleven-year-old Molly Wilson from GDA Studios in Gisborne, Victoria, performed in the Albury, Bendigo and Ballarat shows and discovered the impact performers can have on their audiences.

“When I was on stage with Emma Memma, kids in the audience would look up at me and wave with a big smile on their face. It made me feel really proud knowing that I was helping create such a special and magical experience for them.”

Working alongside professional performers also taught Molly valuable lessons about the realities of the industry.

“I have learnt how you need to be able to adapt quickly to choreography changes and still keep a positive attitude. I also learnt the importance of being professional, listening carefully, and always giving your best effort in every rehearsal and performance.”

For Emma, watching these young performers grow throughout the experience has become one of the most rewarding elements of the tour.

“Seeing young dancers arrive with excitement, learn the routines, work alongside professional performers and then step on stage in front of an audience is incredibly inspiring,” she says.

“There is often a real growth in confidence, not only in their dancing but also in how they carry themselves even just into the second show of the day. The energy they bring is contagious, and the cast loves welcoming them into the Emma Memma world and the audience gives them a huge cheer.”

At the heart of every Emma Memma performance is the belief that every child deserves to feel seen, valued and included. Developed from Emma’s PhD research at Macquarie University exploring how sign language can be integrated into children’s entertainment, Auslan is woven throughout the music, choreography and storytelling, creating a space where communication happens in many different ways.

“The hope is that every child leaves feeling seen, valued and included,” Emma says.

For the young dancers who have become part of the Emma Memma journey, the experience is about much more than learning steps and performing routines. It is about discovering the power of creativity, teamwork and kindness, while gaining an unforgettable insight into the world of professional performance.

As Emma says, “Creativity is something to be shared and enjoyed, not something that has to be perfect,” a message that resonates not only with the thousands of children in the audience, but with the young performers who bring the Emma Memma magic to life on stage.

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