Ludgero Souza

Name of CAT: The Place CAT
Student Name: Ludgero Souza
Year started the CAT: 2017
Year graduated from the CAT: 2023

How did you discover the CAT programme?

I discovered the CAT programme through my ex-dance teacher who raised my attention to the Boys’ Dance Day that they offered. Since then, I looked further into it and made the decision to audition for the programme in which I was successful.

What had been your experience of dance before the CAT?

I had hardly any dance experience before CAT except for extra curriculum activities that I participated in alongside doing Dance Journeys 2017 with ENBYouthCo and fellow dance schools around the London region.

What has the CAT taught you?

CAT has not only taught me the main foundations in Ballet and Contemporary but has made me discover where my true passion lies in the artistry of producing choreography and going through a journey of exploring an idea alone or with others involved. In addition to this, they have aided me in becoming the person that I am today. Confident, trustworthy and willing to approach pretty much anything and everything that this industry has to offer. The way the CAT programme is laid out is so helpful in teaching a wide range of diversity like working with Rambert, Fubunation and Kathak throughout the years. Linking off dance, CAT has taught me valuable life lessons of how well connected we all are no matter what is occurring in our individual lives as well as being true to ourselves and speaking up.

Where has the programme led you so far?

The programme has led me in so many directions. In 2022, I ended up being scouted by TTA Agency under the division of TV Acting and Film and I’m currently working on The Wicked Film 1 & 2 throughout this whole year. Not relevant to dance in some ways but the approach CAT has for showcasing emotions naturally whilst dancing in and out of classes, has given me an advantage in acting for the screen. In 2020, I joined a company named Project Dance, which is based in Yeovil, Shaftesbury, and now has become a touring company showcasing their work of ‘Growing Pains’. Plus all of this, in 2019 I became a part of ENBYouthCo and have ever since been dancing with them to this day where I’ll be sadly graduating. Besides all of these dance experiences, CAT has also led me into diving deeper into myself when it came to my A-Levels, specifically my Art UAL. I’ve chosen my art medium being visual performances and once again having to perform with such true emotions, CAT has definitely been a lesson where I could relate this information back into my studies.

What are any of your future aspirations?

My future aspirations would be to work professionally more in films, theatre work and potentially internationally on tours of any kind. Towards the middle of my performance career, I have decided that I’d like to settle down in either teaching dance or founding my own dance company that would aid towns that can’t afford to study the performing arts or out of reach/touch with this beautiful artform.

What advice would you give to a young person who is interested in auditioning?

Be yourself. CAT is so diverse and open to such beautiful people and showcasing yourself is the best thing you could do. In my opinion. CAT isn’t about who can dance to the highest potential or who has the most flexibility in the class. It’s about having a true passion for dance and willingness to take it further into your training. Display that passion in the audition, enjoy the classes as they aren’t an audition and it’ll be a blast for you!

If you received a bursary to cover all/or part of your fees when attending the CAT. What impact has the financial support of a Department for Education Grant had on your dancing?

Receiving a bursary made me realize just how accessible dance can be around London and how harder I’m going to have to work if I want to make it into the industry of such high level.

Anything else you think we should know?

The team that has come and gone through all the years I’ve been at CAT are such amazing people. Both in my dance career and my personal life. They are a true reflection of the people that I want to be in my future for the young generation of performing artists.