A Kilmarnock dancer's dream of performing at the iconic Moulin Rouge is set to by realised.
Julia McCracken will be jetting off to Paris after securing a contract with at the legendary cabaret.
The 22-year-old signed her first professional contract after a successful audition in London and is flying to Paris on March 26 to begin rehearsals at the world famous venue.
Julia said: “Auditions are usually advertised online quite the last minute so you have to just jump at the opportunity. It was pretty challenging. You’re instantly up against hundreds of other girls who share similar features to you before you even begin dancing.
“At the audition they taught us a variety of combinations which travelled down across the floor, within the styles of jazz, ballet and can-can.
“After this, they did a cut where only half of the girls were kept before teaching us a routine to perform in small groups in front of the casting director and choreographer.
“It was a very long day and consisted of a lot of dancing but was more laid back than I expected, which made it more enjoyable.”
Julia has been dancing since she was nine-years-old. She first joined Jam Street School of Dance in Kilmarnock just as a hobby but by the time she turned 14, she decided that she wanted to make a career out of it.
At the age of 16, Julia left school to pursue professional training at Dance Studio Scotland in Glasgow Clyde College in Anniesland. She achieved an HND qualification in dance before moving down south to Leicester for one year of training at Addict Dance Academy and achieved her BA (HONS) degree in dance.
Since graduating Julia has been mainly working in Glasgow with Ace Tribe and EHP Theatre.
She added: “This work is what has really kept me going since leaving college in terms of involvement with dance, the opportunities have been incredible. I am so grateful to everyone who has been involved in my dance journey so far.
“If I’m honest I don’t think it has properly sunk in yet that I am joining Moulin Rouge next week but I can’t wait to experience this new chapter of my dance career and life.
“I can't wait to move to Paris. I had never been before until the start of February this year when I went with my family for a trip and I loved it.
“I think I’m just most looking forward to the change of lifestyle when I’m there, spending my days experiencing French culture and then living it up at nights on the Moulin Rouge stage - a dream really.”
Susan Kelly, co-owner of Jam Street School of Dance said: “We are so incredibly proud of Julia and all she has achieved.
“Julia started at Jam Street as a young girl and from her very first class it was clear to see, she fell in love with dance. Julia trained hard on technique and choreography in all different dance styles, working her way up from regular classes to elite and then advanced level within the school.
“The Moulin Rouge is such a prestigious contract for a dancer and has a strict selection process, auditions are rigorous and very few are successful. To be working in Paris with girls from all over the world in such a glamorous show is a tremendous achievement.
“Not only is Julia a beautiful dancer but one of the nicest, most humble people we’ve had the pleasure to meet. She has never forgotten where she started and has had no hesitation coming back to pass on to current pupils. She is a determined young lady and an inspiration to all dancers. Proud is an understatement.”
In the future, Julia hopes to extend her contract in Paris and one day to perform at the Radio City Rockettes in New York, which is another big dance dream of hers.
She added: “For me, there’s no better feeling than sharing a stage with other talented, creative people who share the same love and passion for dance as you do.
"I have met so many people and made so many friends through dance and this will continue no matter where my career takes me which I find so nice.
“I also live for the glitz and glamour costume side of dance. I think as long as I’m somewhere on a stage draped in jewels and feathers I will be happy. The Moulin Rouge have plenty of those so there will be no complaints there.”
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