DanceEast announced the first successful recipients of its new Choreographic Development Award at a fundraising evening and the world premiere of Russell Maliphant’s Conceal | Reveal in the Jerwood DanceHouse on Friday 2 October.
Russell Maliphant joined Brendan Keaney on stage after the well-received performance, and talked about the importance of supporting choreographers, how a little support can make a big difference and how important is it that organisations like DanceEast have funds like this for the future of the artform.
Following an open call for submissions in the spring, over 60 applications were received from UK based choreographers, working across all genres and contexts, all of whom considered worthy of support. The 2015 Choreographic Development Award winners are:
Award of £5,000 Joseph Toonga
Joseph is the artistic director of Just Us Dance Theatre and is interested in combining the rawness, compactness and precision of Hip Hop with contemporary choreography to explore the concept of depression. The award will help him broaden his understanding of different mediums and contextualise his work through further research.
Award of £1,000 Tim Casson
Tim creates work for non-dance audiences by connecting people, telling their stories and celebrating the everyday to create accessible and joyful experiences.
Award of £1,000 Sophie Nüzel
Sophie is interested in creating dance works for young people that are challenging and inspirational, creating something that will raise questions and put the world into a different perspective.
Award of £1,000 Wayne Parsons
Wayne’s work is inspired by themes of human experience, non-linear narration, text and the correlation between movement and meaning. This award will provide financial support and guidance for developing a new work.
Award of £1,000 Alesandra Seutin
Alesandra’s choreographic work combines physical theatre, dance, innovative scenography, live music and text to comment on political and social issues such as race, social inclusion and gender.
Award of £1,000 Didy Veldman
Didy trained at the Scapino Academy in Amsterdam and is now an established choreographer. She hopes to use the award to develop material for a new production to be created in 2016.
The Choreographic Development Fund was set up in September 2014 thanks to a generous legacy gift from David Andren and individual donations received at a fundraising evening at the world premiere of James Cousins Company’s Without Stars. The Choreographic Award can be used for research and development or as a contribution towards making a dance work. The aim of the award is to nurture and develop choreographic talent and offers space, time and resources.
DanceEast is the home of dance in the East of England. At the heart of the organisation is a commitment to supporting the professional development of artists and in particular the development of choreographic practice. DanceEast provides rehearsal space, residencies and commissions to a range of artists working across the scales. A key priority for the organisation is to develop and nurture best practice in dance.
DANCEEAST CHOREOGRAPHIC AWARD PATRONS
Gary Avis, Humphrey Burton CBE, Lizzie Fargher, Peter Manning and Jeanette Siddall CBE
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For more information, interviews, images please contact
Rachel Tarkenter, Head of Communications and Development, DanceEast on
rachel.tarkenter@danceeast.co.uk or 01473 295242 or 07980 863263
