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18th April 2018

Independent Governor vacancy – join our Board of Governors

The Conservatoire is currently recruiting for an Independent Governor. About the Conservatoire The Conservatoire, through its member schools, delivers world leading higher education and vocational training in the performing arts (dance, drama, circus arts and technical theatre). As members of the Conservatoire, the schools work together to uphold the highest standards in education and training, […]

The Conservatoire is currently recruiting for an Independent Governor.

About the Conservatoire

The Conservatoire, through its member schools, delivers world leading higher education and vocational training in the performing arts (dance, drama, circus arts and technical theatre). As members of the Conservatoire, the schools work together to uphold the highest standards in education and training, to collaborate artistically and to share resources, whilst retaining their distinctive identities, traditions and expertise.

The Conservatoire is a higher education institution, a company limited by guarantee, and a registered charity. The Conservatoire’s Board of Governors holds full responsibility for the Conservatoire’s policy, strategy, and performance. They are the trustees of the charity and directors of the company. The Board delegates responsibility for the management of the Conservatoire to the Chief Executive Officer. The Board also agrees the Conservatoire’s strategic plan and approves the annual accounts.

The Conservatoire’s Board of Governors comprises a governor nominated by each of the member schools (six in total), three elected governors (one student and two members of staff), the Chief Executive Officer, and independent governors who shall at all times outnumber all other governors. There are currently eleven independent governors on the Board.

The role

The Conservatoire is currently recruiting for the role of independent governor. This is a tremendous opportunity for individuals with relevant experience, credentials and interests to contribute to the Conservatoire’s mission and vision. It is actively seeking to increase the diversity of its Board, and to attract candidates with interest and leadership experience in one or more of the following:

Higher education and knowledge of current good practice in the sector;
Financial management, forecasting, planning and/or audit; and
Performing arts (or the arts/cultural sector generally)

Independent governors are appointed for an initial term of three years, renewable by mutual agreement up to a limit of nine years. The Board meets at least four times per year and is supported by a system of committees. Appointment to a committee is encouraged, but not required. It is essential that members of the Board devote the necessary time and effort to the role.

The role is unremunerated, but reasonable travel and other expenses incurred while undertaking Board business will be reimbursed.

Process & Timetable

The selection process is being run in-house by the Conservatoire and applications will be viewed by them directly. If you are interested in the role, please send a brief statement of interest highlighting your relevant experience, accompanied by your CV. Application materials may be sent to the Clerk, Kathleen Formosa, at kathleen.formosa@cdd.ac.uk. The deadline for receipt of materials is 5pm on Monday, 14 May 2018. Successful candidates will be contacted shortly thereafter.

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17th April 2018

LCDS | Dance | Alumni | Performances and Exhibitions

LCDS alumna Rosie Kay choreographs Commonwealth Games handover ceremony in Birmingham

Birmingham hosted a huge celebration event on 15 April as it welcomed taking on the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The handover took place at the 2018 Games closing ceremony on Australia’s Gold Coast, and included a mass participation dance choreographed by award-winning London Contemporary Dance School alumna Rosie Kay. 2,022 young people were recruited to perform […]

16th April 2018

LCDS | Dance | Alumni

LCDS alumnus Fearghus Ó Conchúir announced as new Artistic Director of National Dance Company Wales

National Dance Company Wales (NDCWales) have announced the appointment of their new Artistic Director, Fearghus Ó Conchúir, an alumnus of London Contemporary Dance School. Fearghus will take up his new position in the autumn (2018) joining Chief Executive, Paul Kaynes at the helm of Wales’ leading dance organisation to continue developing dance in all kinds […]

National Dance Company Wales (NDCWales) have announced the appointment of their new Artistic Director, Fearghus Ó Conchúir, an alumnus of London Contemporary Dance School.

Fearghus will take up his new position in the autumn (2018) joining Chief Executive, Paul Kaynes at the helm of Wales’ leading dance organisation to continue developing dance in all kinds of settings with all kinds of people, across all the Company’s work, locally, nationally and internationally.

With over 20 years experience as a choreographer, performer, teacher and mentor, Fearghus has most recently worked as Artistic Director of The Casement Project, one of Arts Council of Ireland’s largest projects for the centenary commemorations of the 1916 Easter Rising. It engaged 90,000 people in a varied programme of dance events and was also one of the 14-18 NOW co-commissions for the centenary of the First World War.

Born and raised in Ireland, Fearghus has presented his choreography in the UK, across Europe, the USA and China, collaborating with award-winning performers, directors, composers and designers. He has also worked as a dance teacher for companies such as Adventures in Motion Pictures, Arc Dance, Company and Ballet Preljocaj, as well as being a lecturer on professional training courses at London Contemporary Dance School, Middlesex University and London Studio Centre. He has gained a wealth of artistic experience and an international network of creative collaborators and partners in and beyond dance. He holds a strong focus on diversity and has developed dance projects within the LGBT and refugee communities, with dance enthusiasts over 50, and with Irish integrated dance company, Croí Glan.

In addition to being a Fellow of the Clore Leadership Programme, Fearghus has gained a wealth of experience as a facilitator, coach, and contributor to the Clore Leadership Programme, having been part of the delivery of its Fellowship, Intensive and Emerging Leaders’ Courses for over ten years.. He has also worked with Clore to deliver the Advanced Cultural Leadership Programme in Hong Kong.

Fearghus will take up the role of Artistic Director previously held by Caroline Finn, who remains with the Company and was appointed Resident Choreographer in December last year.

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12th April 2018

RADA | Rambert School | Dance | Stage Management & Technical Theatre | Alumni

Rambert and RADA graduates announced as New Adventures Young Associate Artists

New Adventures has announced three Young Associate Artists to work alongside its creative team in the process of creating a major new production which will celebrate young people. Congratulations to Rambert School graduate Arielle Smith, selected as Young Associate Choreographer, and RADA graduate Ali Hunter, selected as Young Associate Lighting Designer! Arielle Smith started her […]

Arielle Smith started her training at the Hammond School in Chester and then went on to train at Rambert School. From a young age Arielle has had a passion to choreograph, and it was at the National Youth Ballet founded by Jill Tookey, that Arielle really discovered choreography.

In her final year as a dancer in the company she was the very first recipient of the Nijinska cup for an outstanding female choreographer. She then went on to choreograph several works for the company, Inversion, Athena, Suitesong and T-Symmetry.

Since graduating Arielle has performed with Rambert dance company and gone on to choreograph professionally. Her work Cradle premiered at the Barbican last year as part of a collaborative project between Rambert School and London Schools Symphony Orchestra. She works closely with Rambert School and Legat as a choreographer and teacher and also continues to work for The National Youth Ballet now under the artistic direction of Mikah Smillie.

As an independent choreographer Arielle has produced two works The Thing’s We’ve Done and Lot’s of Varied Expectations (which was featured at Resolution festival at The Place in 2018).

Arielle is passionate about drawing attention to the talent amongst young artists and feels so excited and privileged to join the team at New Adventures on this project that celebrates young people.

Ali Hunter studied Modern Languages before doing the Postgraduate Diploma in Lighting Design and Stage Electrics at RADA. In the past year she has gained the following lighting design credits: Moments/Empty Beds (The Hope Theatre), Woman Before a Glass (Jermyn Street Theatre), Doodle (Waterloo East), Cinderella and the Beanstalk (The Old Market, Brighton), No Place Like Hope (Old Red Lion), Rattlesnake (Live Theatre Newcastle, York Theatre Royal, Soho Theatre), Tenderly (New Wimbledon Studio), Katzenmusik (Royal Court Theatre, 2017), Behind Closed Doors (Drayton Arms Theatre, 2017), Flood (Tristan Bates Theatre, 2017), Dry Room (WSD Taipei, 2017), The Real Estate (Italia Conti), Foreign Body (WoW Festival and UK Tour, 2017), The Sugarman, All in Minor, Black Widow (The Place Resolution Festival, 2017).

The Young Associates will be working with New Adventures’ award-winning creative team Matthew Bourne, Etta Murfitt (Associate Artistic Director), Lez Brotherston (Set & Costume) and Paule Constable (Lighting) on the creation of a new production.

The talent search for the young people to perform in this brand new production alongside New Adventures dancers is now underway.

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5th April 2018

NSCD | Dance | Performances and Exhibitions

NSCD and partners present COLLIDE – Boys dance takeover day

On Friday 6 April, Leeds City Centre will host ‘COLLIDE’ – a free, multi-site, one-day dance event specifically for boys. Organised by Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD), with funding from Leeds Inspired, the event features over 30 all-male dance performances happening at 7 different locations across the city centre from 11am-3pm, as well as […]

On Friday 6 April, Leeds City Centre will host ‘COLLIDE’ – a free, multi-site, one-day dance event specifically for boys.

Organised by Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD), with funding from Leeds Inspired, the event features over 30 all-male dance performances happening at 7 different locations across the city centre from 11am-3pm, as well as free participatory workshops.

Members of the public will be able to witness and experience a range of different dance styles on the day, from hip hop to contemporary, and from ballet to street.

Performances will take place every 15-30 minutes at Victoria Leeds, Victoria Quarter, Trinity Leeds, Briggate, Lands Lane, Dortmund Square and Leeds’ award-winning Kirkgate Market. Kirkgate Market will also host a central information hub for the event, where visitors can go to find out more about the day, pick up a map and take part in dance workshops specifically for boys.

NSCD has invited professional dance companies from across the North to perform, including Company Chameleon, Hawk Dance Theatre and Northern Rascals, as well as community dance groups in Leeds including DAZL, Kick off Boys dance project and Northern Ballet Academy.

The event aims to highlight opportunities for male dancers in Leeds, from community dance classes through to professional training.

Tracy Witney, Head of Learning & Participation at Northern School of Contemporary Dance said:

‘‘Leeds is a dance-rich city with many opportunities for children, young people and adults alike to take part in classes within their local community. However we have noticed male dancers are markedly underrepresented, across both our own and our partners’ provision. Most classes for example have a female to male ratio of roughly 80:20. This event highlights the fact that boys dance too, and we want them to know where they can find classes and performance opportunities in the dance styles they may be interested in.’’

This is a key event in the Leeds dance calendar, with NSCD continuing its work as a member of the Leeds Dance Partnership to establish the city as an international centre of excellence for dance.

A highlight of this event will include performances from Leeds’ own boys youth dance group ‘Kick Off’. The group meets once a week for free classes at Leeds City College and is a joint initiative between NSCD, Phoenix Dance Theatre, DAZL and Leeds City College for boys aged between 12 – 18 years.

[Image: Company Chameleon © Brian Slater]

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1st April 2018

Alumni round-up – April 2018

Alumni on Stage This month marks CircusFest 2018, which means a host of opportunities to see graduates of National Centre for Circus Arts on stage: Collectif and Then… founder and hair hanging artist Francesca Hyde presents a new piece Fram and Dunt at the Roundhouse from 3 – 5 April. Remy Archer presents Zoetrope, a […]

Alumni on Stage

This month marks CircusFest 2018, which means a host of opportunities to see graduates of National Centre for Circus Arts on stage:

Collectif and Then… founder and hair hanging artist Francesca Hyde presents a new piece Fram and Dunt at the Roundhouse from 3 – 5 April.

Remy Archer presents Zoetrope, a 360 degree film installation, at the Roundhouse from 3 – 22 April.

NoFit State premier new production Lexicon in Newcastle-under-Lyme from 28 March – 21 April, with a cast including juggler Luke Hallgarten.

Cyr wheel trio Alula – Fiona Thornhill, Jessica Ladley, Lil Rice – perform Hyena at The Albany, 12 – 13 April, and at the Malvern Theatre on 24 April.

Simple Cypher – Chris Thomas and Kieran Warner – will be directing Throwdown, a Roundhouse Street Circus Collective with 20 young circus artists and hip hop dancers, on 12 – 14 April.

Hand to hand duo Nikki and JD perform Knot at The Place, 17 – 18 April, and at the Corn Exchange on 20 April.

Ellie Dubois presents No Show at the Roundhouse on 18 – 22 April, with fellow graduate performers Francesca Hyde, Kate McWilliam, Michelle Ross and Alice Gilmartin.

Handbalance artist Natalie Reckert presents Natalie Inside Out at Jackson’s Lane on 22 April.

In dance, choreographer and dancer Carlos Pons Guerra (NSCD) is now on tour with new production Toro: Beauty and the Bull, including performances at Sadler’s Wells on 25 – 26 April. The cast features dancers Marivi Da Silva (NSCD), and Jason Tucker (Rambert).

Eliot Smith Company are on tour with triple bill Portraits of Courage / Moonlight / Pitman from 14 April – 19 May. The company features dancers Gemma Paganelli, Giacomo Pini (LCDS), Duncan Anderson and Paloma Galiana Moscardo (Central School of Ballet).

Tavaziva are on tour with new production Izindava until 30 April. The cast features dancers Kieran Page, Luke Crook, Yaa Appiah-Badu (LCDS) and Tom Shale-Coates (Rambert).

English National Ballet present Voices of America at Sadler’s Wells on 12 – 21 April. The company features dancer Sarah Kundi (Central School of Ballet).

BOVTS alumna Erica Whyman directs Romeo and Juliet at the RSC Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 21 April. The cast features recent BOVTS graduates Afolabi Alli and Josh Finan.

At the National Theatre from 18 April, Absolute Hell features graduates Esh Alladi, Simon Hepworth (LAMDA), Jenny Galloway (BOVTS), Sinead Matthews and Jonathan Slinger (RADA).

Alex Beckett (RADA) and Nathan Welsh (LAMDA) feature in The Way of the World at the Donmar Warehouse, 29 March – 26 May.

John Leonard (BOVTS) provides Sound Design for Mood Music at the Old Vic, 21 April – 30 June. Pip Carter (RADA) features in the cast.

Bob Crowley (BOVTS) is Designer for The Moderate Soprano, a Hampstead Theatre production at Duke of York’s Theatre, 5 April – 30 June.

James Garnon, Jack Laskey and Michelle Terry (RADA) feature in Hamlet from 25 April – 26 August in Michelle Terry’s first season as Artistic Director at The Globe.

Anisha Fields (BOVTS) is Designer for A View from the Bridge at Tobacco Factory from 18 April – 12 May 2018. Simon Armstrong and Laura Waldren (BOVTS) feature in the cast.

Jane Horrocks (RADA) features in Instructions for Correct Assembly at the Royal Court from 7 April – 19 May.

Kirsty Bushell (LAMDA), Verity Blyth and Rosy McEwen (BOVTS) feature in The Cherry Orchard at the Royal Exchange, Manchester from 19 April – 19 May.

Alumni on Screen

Retrospect Dance Theatre – Christopher Thomas and Hannah McGlashon (Rambert) – premier a full length film of In Light of Those You Love at Whirled Cinema, London on 12 April.

Josh O’Connor (BOVTS) and Callum Woodhouse (LAMDA) return to ITV with Series 3 of The Durrells, now airing Sundays at 8pm.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw (RADA) features in Disney blockbuster A Wrinkle In Time, in cinemas from 23 March.

[Image: Hyena by Alula Cyr – Photo by Mark Dawson Photography]

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29th March 2018

Rambert School | Dance | Alumni | Film & Television | Performances and Exhibitions

Retrospect Dance Theatre premier In Light of Those You Love at Whirled Cinema

Rambert School graduate company Retrospect Dance Theatre will premiere a full-length feature film of In Light of Those You Love at Whirled Cinema, London on 12 April. Founded by graduates Christopher Thomas and Hannah McGlashon, Retrospect Dance Theatre is a unique dance theatre company that brings together multiple art forms to create highly diverse theatrical work. […]

28th March 2018

LCDS | Dance | Performances and Exhibitions | Students

LCDS students gain professional performance experience at Sadler’s Wells with Richard Alston Dance Company

London Contemporary Dance School students are gaining professional performance experience at Sadler’s Wells with Richard Alston Dance Company. Congratulations to students Madeleine Millar and Sebastien Kapps who performed Gypsy Mixture alongside the professional dancers of Richard Alston Dance Company at Sadler’s Wells on 23 – 24 March. They are both completing their second year of training at London Contemporary Dance School. Quotes from […]

5th March 2018

Olivia Colman and Juliet Stevenson winners at WhatsOnStage Awards

Congratulations to alumni Olivia Colman and Juliet Stevenson who have been announced winners in the 18th annual WhatsOnStage Awards! Bristol Old Vic Theatre School alumna Olivia Colman was awarded Best Actress in a Play for her role in Mosquitoes at the National Theatre. RADA alumna Juliet Stevenson was awarded Best Supporting Actress in a Play […]

1st March 2018

Alumni round-up – March 2018

Alumni on stage Choreographer and Artistic Director of Sweetshop Revolution Sally Marie (Central School of Ballet) is touring new dance theatre work BEAUTiFUL this month until 24 March. Dance theatre family show Penguins plays this month at the Half Moon Theatre, 1 – 3 March, with choreography by Carlos Pons Guerra (NSCD) and featuring dancer […]

Alumni on stage

Choreographer and Artistic Director of Sweetshop Revolution Sally Marie (Central School of Ballet) is touring new dance theatre work BEAUTiFUL this month until 24 March.

Dance theatre family show Penguins plays this month at the Half Moon Theatre, 1 – 3 March, with choreography by Carlos Pons Guerra (NSCD) and featuring dancer Jack Webb (Rambert).

Ballet Black present a Double Bill at the Barbican (15 – 17 March), including A Dream Within A Midsummer Night’s Dream by choreographer Arthur Pita (LCDS). The company features Sayaka Ichikawa (Rambert) and Mthuthuzeli November (Central School of Ballet).

Russell Maliphant Company presents maliphantworks2, a series of duets, at the Print Room at the Coronet (6 – 17 March), with dancers Grace Jabbari (Rambert) and Dickson Mbi (LCDS).

BalletLORENT are on tour with Rumpelstiltskin, this month appearing at Pitlochry Festival (24 March) and Sadler’s Wells (30/31 March). The company features dancers Jon Beney, Gary Clarke, Gavin Coward, Debbi Purtill, Akeim Toussaint Buck (NSCD), John Kendall, Mariusz Paczynski, Giulia Coti Zelati, Natalie Trewinnard, Philippa White (LCDS), Katryn Jackson, Raymond Roa (NSCD, LCDS), and Juliet Thompson (Rambert).

Northern Ballet open a new tour of Jane Eyre this month at Leeds Grand Theatre, 7 – 14 March. The company features dancers Rachael Gillespie, Ashley Dixon, Victoria Sibson, Hannah Bateman, Harriet Marden, and Archie James (Central School of Ballet).

Recent graduate Fraser Buchanan (Rambert) presents new work Ode at the Chelsea Theatre, 2 – 3 March.

Hand to Hand duo Nikki and JD (National Centre for Circus Arts) are on tour with Knot, this month calling at South Holland Centre, The Old Market Brighton, Mill Art Centre Banbury, and Cambridge Junction.

Motionhouse bring dance circus fusion Charge to Sadler’s Wells on 21 – 24 March. The company features dancers Martina Knight, Alasdair Stewart, Naomi Tadevossian (LCDS), Junior Cunningham, Daniel Massarella, Rebecca Williams, Aaron Watkinson (NSCD), and Chris Knight (NSCD, LCDS).

Joan Iyiola (BOVTS) stars in the RSC’s production of The Duchess of Malfi at the Swan Theatre from 1 March. Lighting is by Natasha Chivers (LAMDA) and the cast also features Will Brown (BOVTS), Alexander Cobb (RADA), and Solomon Israel (LAMDA).

Afolabi Alli, Josh Finan and Luke Newberry (BOVTS) feature in the RSC’s Macbeth at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, from 13 March.

Also at the Swan Theatre from 23 March, the RSC’s The Fantastic Follies of Mrs Rich or The Beau Defeated features Daisy Badger, Solomon Israel (LAMDA), Will Brown (BOVTS), Emily Johnstone and Sophie Stanton (RADA).

Shanaya Rafaat (RADA) features in Frankenstein at the Royal Exchange, Manchester from 9 March – 7 April.

Syrus Lowe and Kyle Soller (RADA) feature in The Inheritance at the Young Vic, 2 March – 5 May.

Kirsty Bushell (LAMDA), Verity Blyth and Rosy McEwen (BOVTS) feature in The Cherry Orchard at the Bristol Old Vic, 1 March – 7 April.

Patsy Ferran, Tok Stephen (RADA) and Matthew Needham (LAMDA) feature in Summer and Smoke at the Almeida Theatre, 24 February – 7 April.

Fly Davis (RADA) is Designer for Caroline, Or Change at the Hampstead Theatre, 2 March – 7 April.

Alumni on screen

RADA graduate and CDD Governor Sophie Stone features in series four of Shetland on BBC One, now airing on Tuesdays at 9pm.

Jeremy Irons (BOVTS) features in spy thriller Red Sparrow, in cinemas from 1 March.

[Image: The RSC’s The Duchess of Malfi with Joan Iyiola]

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Independent Governor vacancy – join our Board of Governors

LCDS alumna Rosie Kay choreographs Commonwealth Games handover ceremony in Birmingham

LCDS alumnus Fearghus Ó Conchúir announced as new Artistic Director of National Dance Company Wales

Rambert and RADA graduates announced as New Adventures Young Associate Artists

NSCD and partners present COLLIDE – Boys dance takeover day

Alumni round-up – April 2018

Retrospect Dance Theatre premier In Light of Those You Love at Whirled Cinema

LCDS students gain professional performance experience at Sadler’s Wells with Richard Alston Dance Company

Olivia Colman and Juliet Stevenson winners at WhatsOnStage Awards

Alumni round-up – March 2018

Conservatoire in Action