6 minute read
Celebrating National Excellence
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Head of National Youth Dance Company (England) Hannah Kirkpatrick reflects on this milestone and the impact the programme has on talented young dancers from around England.
Hannah Kirkpatrick
On 8 June 2013, the lights gradually came up on the Sadler’s Wells stage for National Youth Dance Company’s first performance, featuring 29 dancers from across the country in a new production by Jasmin Vardimon.
10 years have passed and where is that cast now? Dancing in leading companies like Hofesh Shechter Company, Russell Maliphant Dance Company and Punchdrunk, often returning to Sadler’s Wells stages. One recently played the title role in Jasmin Vardimon’s 'ALiCE' (I would have loved to have told her this ten years ago!). One is a junior doctor, one is a roofer, one is a fundraiser, one is a fitness coach… There are so many different careers they have gone on to do and we are equally proud of every one of them. Along with Jasmin and her team they very much paved the way in shaping the company as it is now.
Offering unique opportunities
The first 10 years of NYDC have been fast paced, action packed and exciting. This milestone has given us a chance to reflect and take stock of all that we have learned.
We have worked with 10 of the world’s leading choreographers, gaining a unique insight into that artist’s world as they make the company their own. There have been so many wonderful moments: From a week watching the dancers improvise with Michael Keegan Dolan as they tried to reach the most natural form of their movement; to listening to them recite the poetry they had written, guided and inspired by Alesandra Seutin; to seeing them feel the beat of house music in their bodies with Sharon Eyal; seeing their faces the first time Akram Khan walked into the room and started discussing rhythm with them; solving choreographic puzzles and patterns with Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui; being inspired by a hunger for the world and different cultures with Damien Jalet; learning about the importance of breath with Jasmin Vardimon; seeing the curiosity in people, technology, art, science (everything!) in Wayne McGregor; building an appreciation of movement and the body and how it exists in light and space with Russell Maliphant.
We see each year of NYDC becoming reflections of the artists they are working with, the importance of them as role models is huge and the bar is set high. They see the dedication and focus in their choreographers and rehearsal directors and they gain a greater understanding of what it takes to make dance your career. The morning after winning his Olivier Award, Botis Seva was back in the studio with NYDC for 9am class: “Didn’t you want to celebrate?”, “I wanted to be here with you - we have work to do”.
Every year NYDC has had its own identity, but something that connects one cohort to the next is the group itself. It is the company’s diversity which is key: 30-40 young people each year, a rabble representing all young dancers, and at an age where they are just teetering on the next phase of their lives. They bring an energy that is unlike anything else and that is incredibly powerful.
Assembling a national company
A search for new dancers happens annually with Experience Workshops in all areas of England, giving dancers an insight into what NYDC is and how we work. We call them ‘workshops’ rather than ‘auditions’ because at this stage that is what they are: an opportunity to find out more, connect with other people and try something new. From these workshops around 70 dancers are then invited to an audition at Sadler’s Wells and from here the new Guest Artistic Director chooses their company.
What are we looking for? The answer to that age old question that is hard to put into words. Their approach is key: we are looking for people who love dance and are excited to try something new. We are obviously looking for talent and potential too but sometimes that can be seen in someone who spends much of the class hiding in the corner because it all feels so unknown but then shows something so beautiful and unique whilst they are improvising, you know that with the right encouragement they could be excellent.
We are so grateful to all the dancers and creatives who have been part of the past 10 years and for the residency, workshop and performance venues who have hosted us. As the youngest of the national youth dance companies, we are extremely grateful for the support and advice we had from colleagues in Scotland and Wales when we were starting out, and we are still grateful for that network today. We know that the majority of our young people join us from other youth companies and training programmes and we are thankful to all the teachers and youth leaders for their support. Most of our work happens in the school holidays and we appreciate that this can have an impact on their other schedules. Dancers get a wonderful experience in NYDC, but they are a sum of all the parts of their experience and training, and most importantly who they are and the choices they make.
NYDC England in rehearsal
Photo: Gigi Gianella
Looking ahead
So, what’s in store for this year of NYDC? Our current Guest Artistic Director is Sadler’s Wells’ Associate Artist Wayne McGregor CBE and our new production 'Novacene', premiered at The Lowry in April, followed by a summer tour.
The 10-year anniversary celebrations include 100 free school workshops, new regional commissions and celebratory birthday parties open to young dancers across England. We want this year to be a real celebration of youth dance.
I’m writing this reflection during NYDC’s February residency. The dancers are upstairs in the incredible space that is Studio Wayne McGregor. The speed and energy that Wayne brings with him into the space is awesome. It is a whirlwind of creativity as he encourages and inspires the dancers to create their language, his world fusing with theirs.
I just asked him what we should expect of the new work and he said, “The talent and commitment of this amazing group of 34 dancers and choreographers is extraordinary. Novacene will take you to whole new dimensions of experience.”
The new work is looking to the future, and so are we.
Further information
www.sadlerswells.com
Novacene tours the UK this summer:
London - Sadler’s Wells
- Saturday 3 June, 7:30 pm
Ipswich - Jerwood DanceHouse, DanceEast
- Saturday 8 July, 7:30 pm
Plymouth - The House
- Saturday 15 July, 7:30 pm
Leicester - De Montfort University
- Tuesday 18 July, 7:30 pm
Latitude Festival, Suffolk
- Saturday 22 July
Newcastle - Northern Stage, as part of U.Dance National Festival
- Sunday 23 July, 5:00pm
