Conversations with Ballet & Dance Icons

The critically acclaimed award-winning Annabelle Lopez Ochoa is a choreographer that you need to know. A prolific artist, she has created dance works for over 60 top ballet and dance companies including: English National Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Finnish National Ballet, The Washington Ballet, Ballet Black, Dance Theatre of Harlem and so many more.

Annabelle has recently been bestowed another award, receiving the Jacob’s Pillow Choreography Award to add to her long list of accolades.

In this podcast, Annabelle shares her inspiration for the many unique works that she’s choreographed, including the incredible biopic of Frida Kahlo ‘Broken Wings’ created for ENB, which she has turned into a full length ballet for the Dutch National Ballet (premiering in February), plus the award-winning A Street Car Named Desire.

Listen to Annabelle talk about her career as a professional dancer, her move to create full-time, her creative process and how she works with dancers to devise stunning works for theatre, opera, musical theatre and dance.

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In this podcast we take a look at the life of one of the most visionary and influential choreographers in the world, Merce Cunnigham.

The legendary dancer and choreographer’s journey from struggling artist to rejected and misunderstood creator and finally to becoming a celebrated icon, is told in a beautiful new 3D film simply titled ‘Cunningham’.

Dance filmmaker Alla Kovgan shares her experience of bringing the artist and his work to the screen through archive footage of the man himself talking about his ideas, his creative process and his perseverance that saw him defy all detractors as he developed a new technique and a body of work that challenged the way people thought about dance.

The 3D element adds to the film, making it an immersive experience as you become absorbed into the Cunningham’s world and go inside his dance company and hear from dancers who worked with him over the years. The film shows excerpts from a wide range of Cunningham’s works from 1944–1972, that are re-imagined and presented in unique locations such as rooftops, forests, gardens, modern buildings and more.

Listen to Alla talk about the inspiration for the film, her insights into dance filmmaking and discovering the man behind the movement and exploring the collaborations with visual artist Robert Rauschenberg and composer John Cage.

You can watch Cunningham in cinemas across UK, Europe and US, for locations and dates from December 2019 check out: cunninghamfilm.com

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https://djwpodcasts.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/1wwwod/Cunningham+Alla+Kovgan.mp3

The decision for any dancer or creator to move from their hometown to the big city, whether across the country or to the other side of the world, is often a daunting and exciting prospect. It’s not just the actual relocation or the unknown, but there’s also the challenge of finding a place and success within a new, larger dance scene.

In this podcast, Australian contemporary dancer and choreographer Alice Robinson shares her journey from Australia to London and premiering her first full-length immersive show ‘Does It Matter In the Dark‘ in the capital. 

As a freelance artist, Alice has worked and toured, both as a dancer and creator, across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. She then decided to head to the big smoke of London, where she has found a space for her creativity and has built a community over the last year to create Does It Matter In The Dark.

Alice shares her insights into freelance life; the highs, the joy and the challenges. She also shares her creative process that led to the ‘choose your own adventure, immersive experience’ that audiences can expect in her new work.

Does It Matter In The Dark premieres on 2 November (Sold Out Show!) and 3 November (just a few remaining tickets) at Onyx Dance Studio, London. For tickets email Alice directly:  [email protected]. 

Watch the trailer! Follow Alice on Instagram: @alicerobinson_

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In this podcast, we’re joined by Subhash Gorania, a cutting-edge, British choreographer and dancer and Artistic Director of Morph Dance Company.

Subhash creates works that blends Indian classical dance, hip-hop and contemporary dance and has a very unexpected dance story.

At the age of 23, Subhash was stacking tins in the supermarket (after having to drop out of uni after being injured), when he noticed a flyer for a hip-hop class, and without any previous dance experience decided to give it go. Instantly he fell in love with dance and one class a week became two, then three and this led to a professional dance career, creating his own work and establishing his own company.

Listen to Subhash tell his inspiring story ahead of the world premiere of his first full length work ‘Classic Encounters‘ hitting the stage on 15 and 23 October.

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https://djwpodcasts.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/1wwwod/Subhash.mp3

In this podcast, we talk to principal dancer Mi Deng, who is one of the most famous and successful ballerinas from China. We discuss her role as the Princess in the innovative high- tech show, Sleeping Beauty Dreams.

Mi Deng gives an insight into the stunning visuals created by the dancers who are hooked up to the technology; and she shares the challenges as a dancer working with the tech (it doesn’t sound easy!).

Listen to Mi also talks about growing up and dancing in China and her worldwide dance career, plus her inspiration for setting up her own dance school in her home country.

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https://djwpodcasts.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/1wwwod/Mi+Deng.mp3

In this podcast episode we discuss the important subject of dancer mental health and wellbeing, with former Royal Ballet dancer and dance counsellor Terry Hyde.

We shine a light on the challenges faced by dancers, including depression, injury, rejection, confidence, and performance anxiety. Terry talks about his own dance career and how his unique perspective helps him help other dancers.

It is essential that mental health and wellbeing is talked about within the dance industry; between dancers, and their companies or schools, and their friends and colleagues.

Terry discusses some of the symptoms that dancers may experience, including feeling low, wanting to be alone, and not wanting to talk about their feelings with others.

Listen to Terry talk about how counselling can help dancers through these difficult periods so they can go on to enjoy fulfilling careers. He also explores the challenges faced by dancers and their sense of identity when their dance careers come to an end.

If you’re experiencing or are interested in dancer mental health issues, Terry recommends talking about your feelings, asking for support and reaching out. You can learn more at counsellingfordancers.com

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https://djwpodcasts.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/1wwwod/terry+hyde.mp3

Dance creation is ever changing and evolving with the influence of new technologies on sound, lighting, staging, visualisations and performance.

Critically acclaimed choreographer and dancer Tom Dale is an innovator in bringing these elements together to create new ways of experience and performing dance. Taking this tech approach to a new level, Tom Dale’s new work Step Sonic sees the dancers’ movements and breath create the live soundscape. The dancers movement affects and makes the sound, which is picked up by a series of microphones.

In this podcast, Tom Dale reveals the inspiration behind Step Sonic and explains how the piece was made with the dancers and their experience of performing this tech and sound led piece.

Step Sonic kicks off a 10 date UK tour from 27 October, check out the dates & location.

Step Sonic also features two new commissions for Tom Dale Company: Resonance of Air by Eleesha Drennan and a new work by Jamal Burkmar; the premiere of Tom Dale’s solo Surge completes the programme.

https://djwpodcasts.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/1wwwod/Tom+Dale.mp3

In the podcast we talk about the below video of the early research work:

Every so often you come across a personal story that must be told and shared. Cutting edge dance theatre creator and performance artist, Stuart Waters, tells his story of depression, addiction and destruction in a new autobiographical work Rock Bottom.

In this podcast, Stuart candidly shares his deeply personal journey and talks with honesty about the challenges he’s faced and how he hit his ‘rock bottom’. He also shares how he has drawn on these times and found the strength to rebuild his life and continue his 20-year career of creating powerful dance theatre to create Rock Bottom.

“…it’s a painfully revealing, highly physical look at mental health and that sometimes elusive thing called happiness…”

Rock Bottom has received rave reviews and after showing at The Place in London earlier this month, it is heading on a 3 date UK tour:

October 2nd – Birmingham Midlands Arts Centre
October 8th – Cornwall, Truro College Helford Theatre
October 9th – University of Plymouth

Find out more: www.stuartwaters.info

In this podcast, Australian born Rose Alice – ballet dancer, choreographer and Artistic Director of the International Arts Collective – shares her experience of forging her own path as a successful and inspiring freelance artist.

Trained at prestigious ballet schools that includes the École de Danse Classique in France and Basel Theatre Ballet School, Rose Alice was a finalist at the distinguished Prix de Lausanne.

After moving to the UK, Rose Alice has been defining her own dance career which has seen her voice as a choreographer lead her to working with world-famous artists and brands (Tiffany & Co for example) across the world.

Each and every artist of International Arts Collective has an undeniable talent/ability that cannot be defined by a specific country, race or culture. To say that our artists are unapologetically original is an understatement. To celebrate individuality through unity and collaboration is our biggest asset, to generate a positive change within the performance industry and our society whilst doing so is a humbling gift.

Listen to Rose Alice talk about the creating projects that bring together ballet, fashion, DJs and film. She also gives us an insight into her experience of founding the International Arts Collective, how choreographing work for film and stage differs, and how she is inspiring the next generation of dancers.

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In this podcast we talk with Sadler’s Wells Young Associate Ruby Portus who is a dancer and choreographer using her voice to tackle sociopolitical issues in a playful way.

Listen to Ruby talk about how the Sadler’s Wells Young Associates programme has helped develop her work, reach a wider audience and build her emerging choreographic career.

Ruby also talks about what it means to be a young female creator and how she is using her voice to inspire change and conversation. She shares her approach to creating new work and gives us an insight into what she’s bringing to Sadler’s.

Sadler’s Wells Young Associates are showcasing their final work after a two year programme on 17 July.

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https://djwpodcasts.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/1wwwod/ruby.mp3