National Dance Company Wales—founded in 1983 as Diversions—is inspiring the next generation of new dance talent this month with Alternative Routes, its annual artist development programme now underway at the Dance House at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, where it took up residency in 2004.
A six-week-long development process working with the newest talent in the industry, Alternative Routes, culminates in four days of performances from 24 to 27 June.
Ahead of the performance dates, NDCWales is opening up rehearsal sessions for audiences to share in the creative process. Taking place at the Dance House at 5PM each Friday in the lead-up to the season’s performance, each session will provide audiences with the chance to watch the progress of the week, ask choreographers questions and give feedback on the work and how it’s developing.
Five budding choreographers will benefit from receiving a platform to develop and perform their work. Elena Thomas (France), Mathieu Geffré (France), Declan Whitaker (UK), Joseba Izaguirre (Spain) will each develop choreographic skills exploring a variety of themes, ranging from blossoming relationships in bars to popular culture and sensory deprivation.
In a new direction this year, the programme is also presenting a fifth piece: a choreographed film work by Matteo Marfoglia. Photographer and filmmaker Marfoglia is also producing a series of teaser images and films to promote the season, releasing them weekly through social media in the build up to the season’s performances. These images can be viewed at facebook.com/ndcwales or by following #AltRoutes15 on Twitter.
NDCWales Rehearsal Director Lee Johnston said: “Alternative Routes, with its partnership with the Royal College of Music of Drama, has helped develop the skills of many dancers, choreographers and designers over the years. As well as really nurturing creativity in dance and what Wales can offer to the rest of the dance industry, through our open sessions, the programme also invites our audiences to come and watch the process, and see ideas develop from concept to performance.”
The five featured choreographers, who are all professional dancers with the Company, will collaborate with industry partners including set, costume and lighting design students from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Sean Crowley, Director of Drama at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama said, “Alternative Routes has been a part of the postgraduate design course for over 10 years. This collaboration with National Dance Company Wales has been the starting point for many of the design industry's leading young practitioners. It is a cause of continued excitement and collaborative practice of the highest order. We are delighted annually to join with NDCW to produce such innovative and exciting performances.”
Alternative Routes continues at the Dance House, Wales Millennium Centre, with performances from 24 to 27 June.