Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Yorkshire Dance and Spin Arts are pleased to announce the selected artists for the third edition of Northern Connections; Lizzie Klotz, Madeline Shann and Akshay Sharma.
The 2019 artists were selected by a panel comprising Janet Smith MBE (NSCD Principal & Artistic Director), Sarah Shead (Director and Creative Producer of Spin Arts) and Tanya Steinhauser (Artist Development Producer at Yorkshire Dance). The panel were delighted with the quality and range of applications.
Each selected artist on the programme will be supported through two studio residencies, and a fully supported performance platform to present their new work in progress at Riley Theatre and engage with audience members.
They will also benefit from bespoke workshops on the business of dance, producer support, and mentoring and networking opportunities.
Read on to learn more about them.
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Newcastle-based dance theatre artist Lizzie Klotz creates sensitive, humorous and thought-provoking work driven by an interest in human behaviour. As part of the programme Lizzie will create a new duet with collaborator Luca Rutherford exploring ‘the smallest of dances’ and the notion that the world is a much smaller – and more connected – place than we think.
“I am really, really pleased to have been chosen to take part in Northern Connections. Through the support of NSCD, Spin Arts and Yorkshire Dance, Northern Connections will provide a reflective environment for myself and theatre maker Luca Rutherford to develop a new duet work. Having been based in Newcastle since 2014, I am keen to continue to connect with artists, venues and audiences in Leeds and across Yorkshire.”
Madeline Shann makes multi-disciplinary live work, usually in response to social or political themes. The Sheffield-based choreographer is interested in the scope and limitations of dance as a language to discuss complicated, specific and nuanced emotional issues. Madeline will develop a new work with a group of dancers, exploring the phenomenon of ‘gaslighting’ through entwined video and live action narrative.
“I am really excited to be given this chance to challenge myself and take artistic risks in a properly resourced and supported process, without the pressure to cut corners and race to a finish line that often goes with creating new work for the stage. It’s a valuable opportunity for me to realise an idea which is more complex in form and content, and to have such a well-respected platform to showcase it. This process will really push me to grow as an artist and help me establish a career path on which I can keep experimenting and expanding my practice into the future.”
Working substantially in the North since graduating in 2017 from Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Akshay Sharma is interested in the underlying economic conditions of human interactions and existence. Akshay will explore the notion of ‘care’ in interpersonal relationships in a new work for the stage as part of Northern Connections.
“I am delighted to hear that I am part of the team of artists being supported in this year’s Northern Connections. I am very excited and looking forward to working with the team and my dancers and using these fertile grounds to explore some ideas. I am hoping to build a network and lay strong foundations with the support that will be offered. My gratitude towards Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Yorkshire Dance and Spin Arts”.
