Sadler’s Wells has released a film on Digital Stage celebrating the first 10 years of National Youth Dance Company and announced choreographer Oona Doherty as Guest Artistic Director for 2023/24.
Featuring interviews with every Guest Artistic Directors including Wayne McGregor, Alessandra Seutin, Akram Khan and Jasmin Vardimon, the documentary, directed by Ben Williams, follows the current cohort of dancers as they prepare for the world première of Novacene, choreographed by McGregor, at The Lowry in Salford in April 2023.
To date, more than 300 young people have been part of NYDC, with more than 7,000 young people taking part in workshops and projects. Nine out of ten young people who join NYDC go on to some form of work or further training in dance or the performing arts.
Many NYDC alumni are currently performing around the world including Robbie Ordoña (NYDC 2017–18) in Kate Prince’s Message In A Bottle, Blue Makwana (NYDC 2015–16) in New Adventures’ Romeo and Juliet; Folu Odimayo (2013–14), Fern Grimbley (2013–14), Seirian Griffiths (2017–18), Jahmarley Bachelor (2014–15), Luigi Nardone (2013–14), Sharol Mackenzie (2013) in Punchdrunk’s The Burnt City; Rory Clarke (2020–22) in Far From The Norm’s BLKDOG; Emma Farnell Watson (2013), Zakarius Harry (2016–17) and Oscar Li (2016–17) with Hofesh Shechter Company; Conor Kerrigan (2014–15) and Archie Wood (2016–17) in Rambert’s Peaky Blinders.
Oona Doherty said, "I'm super excited to work with NYDC. To have a big cast like this of young people from across England is daunting and cool at the same time. Can’t wait to get going and share ideas together."
The company is currently on touring Novacene with future dates at The House, Plymouth (15 July), De Montford University, Leicester (18 July), Latitude Festival (22 July) and Northern Stage, Newcastle (23 July).