Back to the Lab
A choreographic intensive for hip hop theatre makers. DATES
Applications close DATES
What is Back to the Lab?
Do you have an idea you’re waiting to get off the ground?
Are you looking to shake-up your approach to making work, but don’t know where to start?
Aimed at experienced hip hop choreographers, Back to the Lab gives artists dedicated time, space and mentoring for the development of their practice.
Over a two-week period, artists will explore multiple ways of approaching choreography, direction and staging – guided by our faculty of celebrated mentors.
Participating artists will also collaborate with a music producer during this time, who will create bespoke soundtracks for their work. Build relationships with industry-leaders, experience inspirational performances at London venues, and broaden your approach to dance-making.
Go Back to the Lab: test, learn, try - then share your findings in a bespoke showcase and exchange reflections with an audience of your peers.
Applications
The Expression of Interest form is split into three sections:
1) About You - so we can respond to your application
2) Your Practice - where we ask about your practice and the idea you are submitting
3) Equal Opportunities – so we can keep ourselves in check
Key Dates
Intensive: 13-25 January 2025
Applications close: Monday 21 October 2024
Outcome received: Monday 28 October 2024
Further Details
Four choreographers will be selected to take part.
Each choreographer will be invited to work with up to four dancers as part of their project.
In addition to the mentoring offer outlined above, participants will receive:
A contribution of £150 per person, per week, towards food and travel expenses incurred.
Dedicated time with a lighting designer, to create a technical plan for your work.
A creative collaboration with a music producer/composer, to develop the soundtrack.
Sessions with industry experts covering topics such as fundraising, producing, touring and marketing.
Tickets to see a performance at a London venue, followed by peer to peer discussion.
Photography and videography of your work in performance.
Week 1
Led by Jonzi D, you will work alongside the other participants taking part in workshops exploring a variety of choreographic methods through practical and discussion-based lessons.
The focus of the week will be looking at alternative approaches to animating a story, concept or idea through hip hop dance movement and technique.
The aim of Week 1 is to challenge participants to try and work in different ways and gain new choreographic tools.
Week 2
The second week of the course is led by Jonzi D, Jane Sekonya & Anthony Ekundayo Lennon. Here you will devise and develop a new idea, with your own dancers, and apply the skills you have learned during Week 1. The week will culminate, on the Saturday night, in the Back To The Lab performance in the Lilian Baylis Studio. You will share the work (in progress) that you have developed and it will then be opened up to the audience for questions and criticism.
The aim of Week 2 is to give you the time, space and opportunity to experiment with new ideas and approaches without the pressure of a formal performance. It allows you to put into practise what you have learned, take creative risks you might otherwise not and receive high quality mentorship.