Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s appointment follows previous Guest Artistic Director’s and Sadler’s Wells Associate Artists, Jasmin Vardimon (2012-2013) and Akram Khan (2013-2014).
To date, the young members of NYDC have been chosen from a total of 27 experience workshops that, combined, saw over 500 young people take part. The chosen members come from over 33 towns, cities and villages across England.
The next round of NYDC members will be recruited from workshops taking place across England, to regions ranging from Plymouth to Hull and Newcastle to Brighton.
The company, hosted by Sadler’s Wells, is seeking the brightest young dance talent from across England. Those chosen will have a chance to work with a range of inspirational teachers and choreographers to learn, create and perform innovative work, drawing on a number of dance techniques including contemporary, hip hop and ballet.
The Experience Workshops are open to dancers aged 16-18 of all backgrounds and abilities, with experience in any dance style. The first step for those who would like to join is to attend an Experience Workshop at one of a number of locations around the UK. The workshops are free to attend, but places must be reserved by e-mailing [email protected].
The workshop days will include teaching on technique and creative elements, as well as an information session about NYDC, further training and professional careers in dance.
Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui has made more than 25 choreographic works. He has choreographed for the film Anna Karenina by Joe Wright, Cirque du Soleil’s recent Las Vegas production Michael Jackson ONE, and worked with performance artist Marina Abramovic and Damien Jalet on Boléro for the Paris Opera Ballet.
His choreographic works include zero degrees with Akram Khan, Antony Gormley and Nitin Sawhney; Olivier Award-winning Babel(words) also with Damien Jalet, Faun (which premiered at Sadler’s Wells as part of In the Spirit of Diaghilev), Dunas with award-winning flamenco dancer and choreographer Maria Pages, Olivier Award-winning Puz/zle, Sutra which has toured to 27 countries and been seen by over 185,000 people worldwide, and his current productions m¡longa and 生长genesis.
Alistair Spalding (CBE), Chief Executive & Artistic Director at Sadler’s Wells said, “The future strength of the whole dance industry depends on there being a pipeline of new talent coming forward. The NYDC is one way in which Sadler’s Wells can offer a unique opportunity for young people right across the country to work with some of the best choreographers working today and give them an experience that will help them on their way to a career in dance.”