There was much excitement at Shoreham Academy this week as one student has had a starring role in an advert for SNCF Connect, a platform which sells tickets for travel around Europe.
Zak, a Sixth Form student at Shoreham Academy, appears in the advert as a dancer who wishes to travel to Paris for an audition. All the dance and movement seen in the advert was improvised by Zak, who was supported by a movement director on set to effectively tell its story.
Represented by the Young Actors Agency, Zak was invited to submit a self-tape for the SNCF advert which was filmed at the beginning of the year in Montpellier, France. He was supported by the Shoreham Academy dance department to film the tape which led to him being cast in the starring role.
Having begun dancing at the age of 3, Zak trains for up to 20 hours per week in a variety of dance styles, including ballet and contemporary. He has also danced as a Junior Associate at the Royal Ballet school, is a member of the Centre for Advanced Training at The Place and now is part of the Pre Vocational Programme at the dance company Rambert. He was an All-England contemporary Finalist in 2024 and a Dance World Cup Bronze medallist in 2019.
Once he completes his A Level studies, Zak’s ambition is to train full time and to dance professionally, as well as to create, develop and produce his own work. He also has a desire to mentor and inspire other young dancers to achieve their best, dream big and, above all, dance!
Kayleigh Wilson, Director of Arts said:
“Zak is a sensational performer and has starred in many of our dance shows, productions and events since he started at Shoreham Academy. Zak continues to impress us with his talent, and ever-growing determination to be his very best. Congratulations to him on this exciting journey that continues to develop his passion for performing.”
Jim Coupe, Principal at Shoreham Academy, said:
“Huge congratulations to Zak for being cast in SNCF’s advert. All of us at Shoreham Academy are very proud of him and in awe of his exceptional talents. Zak is a fantastic advocate for the power of dance and creativity, and we very much look forward to seeing what the future holds for him.”
You can watch the advert here.