3 minute read
Shechter II: Developing Dancers for Sustainable Careers
Lucy Moelwyn-Hughes on the innovative development programme offering early career artists high quality performance and support opportunities.
In 2017, with a history of almost 10 years of successful large scale production and touring at Hofesh Shechter Company, we began to think about how we could create work with a wider reach, particularly in the UK, that would regularly connect with new audiences and bring in a new generation of dancers who young people looking for new live experiences might identify with. Add to this Hofesh’s personal commitment to giving young dancers lifechanging opportunities, which mirrored his own journey into dance, and so Shechter II was born.
We ran a pilot in 2018, offering a paid professional development programme for emerging artists aged 18-25. After open international auditions, we found 8 amazing dancers. It was our 10th anniversary, and a landmark year, and these extraordinary young artists were bringing their production SHOW to stages across the UK and Europe, winning the Best Newcomers award in Paris and performing in the memorable East Wall largescale participatory project at the Tower of London. It was incredible. And since then, we haven’t looked back.
We now run the programme every two years, attracting over 1,200 dancers from 34 countries to our open auditions. Our dancers spend a year with us, creating a new work with Hofesh, (often a reimagining of a largescale work, recreated for them at the midscale) during which they are in real proximity to the workings and practices of a major international touring dance company.
As well as the creation and 9-10 months of UK and European touring and showcasing, we also offer Continued Professional Development throughout the year. This includes orientation, a week of creation with another choreographer, workshop leadership training, dance science, health and wellbeing and self-directed research and development, all supported by an experienced team at Hofesh Shechter Company. Alongside their performances, they are also delivering outreach projects, making connections to local communities and aspiring dancers who we hope see these exciting, diverse artists as role models and examples of dancers on a pathway into the profession.
Ultimately, we aim to nurture and grow proactive professionals able to enter the sector as rounded industry- conscious young artists, with the skills and knowledge to enjoy sustainable and outstanding careers, long into their futures.
What a total blessing this year has been and wow… how MUCH have I learnt.
Chanel Vyent, Shechter II dancer 2022
From April 2024, the eight dancers of our Shechter II 2024 cohort will embark on a UK and international tour of From England with Love, a compelling new work in which the multi-layered complexity of England takes centre stage.
Further information
From England with Love tours from April 2024, with its UK premiere recently held at Southbank Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hall, London. For tour dates visit www.hofesh.co.uk
Read about Southbank Centre’s approach to programming dance on page 39.
Hofesh Shechter Company gratefully receives support towards the delivery of Shechter II 2024. This includes core funding from John Ellerman Foundation and The Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation and project funding from Jerwood Foundation towards Jerwood ♥SII – a new Continued Professional Development offer to the dancers.
