Next week see’s the first stage of Stories from a Crowded Room begin with a four week research and development stage.
This initial period will work with 5 of the Earthfall company, Rosalind Haf Brooks, Alex Marshall Parsons, Iaine Payne, Beth Powlesland and Lara Ward. They will be joined by three new apprentices, Sara MacQueen, Rachael O’Neill and Tal Weinstein. These three new graduates from Northern Contemporary Dance School will work with the company as part of Earthfall’s paid apprenticeship scheme. Alongside these 8 performers Earthfall are joined by 2 new musicians; Rhi Williams Eric Martin Kamosi. They will work with Artistic Directors Jessica Cohen and Jim Ennis to explore the themes of spacial confinement, sensory, sensuality and spontaneity within explosive and intimate virtuoso dance and interactive narrative.
The final production which goes into rehearsals in Spring 2015 and will tour Spring and Autumn 2015, aims to be an all embracing immersive experience for the audience. Earthfall will embed the audience within the action; the choreography, fully surround film and live music and investigates the blurring of boundaries between spectator and performer with empathy and humour. Through the use of interactive digital technology audiences will be able to interact with the structure, performers and musicians, providing guided stimulus throughout the piece.
The final company will consist of 8 performers, 2 musicians and 2 technicians.
Keep an eye on Facebook and Twitter for photos and videos from the rehearsal rooms.
Earthfall are taking part in the Tanzmesse festival in Dusseldorf from the 27th – 30th August 2014.
The Tanzmesse festival is one of Europe’s leading dance festivals which lasts for four days and includes; 11 venues, 60 companies on stage, 160 exhibitions booths from 40 countries representing more than 400 dance companies.
This is the 10th Tanzmesse and Earthfall join UK companies such as Shobana Jeyasingh, The Place, Dance 4 and Phoenix Dance representing the UK. Earthfall are the only company from Wales represented at the event and will be promoting dance in wales as as whole, for organisations such as Coreo Cymru, National Dance Company Wales, and Arts Council Wales.
“Tanzmesse festival is one the most important events for dance in Eurpoe and across the globe. It is important that Earthfall are there so that we can continue to increase our European profile and tour internationally. We are very exciting to be exhibiting at the event and look forward to being able to help promote Earthfall along with Welsh dance and Welsh companies such as National Dance Company Wales and Coreo Cymru. ” Stephan Stockton MBE, General Manager
The internationale tanzmesse is a biennial marketplace and festival platform for communicating and networking in the field of contemporary dance. At the Tanzmesse international dance companies and artists present their work live on stage and choreographers, dancers, agencies, presenters and cultural institutions network and present their work in a lively marketplace. The internationale tanzmesse nrw also hosts numerous international gatherings and meetings. The Tanzmesse is a project of the Gesellschaft für Zeitgenössischen Tanz, based in Cologne, Germany.
Follow our activity @earthfall on Twitter
Throughout 2014 Earthfall have been running CPD sessions for dancers with an interest in exploring new ideas, methods and styles and in developing individual physical, creative and choreographic skills.
The first CPD sessions of 2014 took place at The Gate Arts Centre, on the 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th March. These weekly 3 hour classes were run by Earthfall tutors, Mike Williams, Hannah Darby and Beth Powlesland.
Cardiff CPD classes 2014 @ Chapter Arts Centre.
The second run of sessions took place in the summer on the 26th June, 3rd, 10th and 17th July, at Chapter Arts Centre.
These sessions were led by CO Artistic Director Jessica Cohen, Earthfall tutors Mike Williams, Sarah Rogers and Jennifer Johannesson. They developed the format of the earlier sessions.
The CPD sessions culminated in our free continuing professional development weekend intensive. The weekend took place on the 16th and 17th August 2014 and was held at National Dance Company Wales.
The sessions were led by Artistic Director Jessica Cohen, with Earthfall performers Alex Marshall Parsons (Chelsea Hotel) and Lara Ward (Chelsea Hotel, The Factory, Gig, Gravitas).
This opportunity was suitable for those with an interest in exploring new ideas, methods and styles and in developing individual physical, creative and choreographic skills.
Over the weekend they explored their own creativity within the context of Earthfall’s repertoire and methodology, taking their knowledge and practical skill set one step further.
The weekend ended in a private sharing of their work to an invited audience.
The CPD opportunities have been made possible thanks to funding from Arts Council of Wales as well as our partners, The Gate Arts Centre, Chapter, Cardiff and National Dance Company Wales.
In a culmination of our free continuing professional development (CPD) workshops series for 2014 we are offering a weekend intensive this summer, supported by Arts Council Wales and in partnership with National Dance Company Wales.
The sessions will be led by Artistic Director Jessica Cohen, with Earthfall performers Alex Marshall Parsons (Chelsea Hotel) and Lara Ward (Chelsea Hotel, The Factory, Gig, Gravitas)
This opportunity will be suitable for those with an interest in exploring new ideas, methods and styles and in developing individual physical, creative and choreographic skills.
Over the weekend you will get the chance to explore your own creativity within the context of Earthfall’s repertoire and methodology, taking your knowledge and practical skill set one step further.
Date: Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th August 2014
Location: Man Gwyn Studio, Dance House, Wales Millennium Centre, Pierhead Street, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF10 4PH
Running times:
Arrival: 09:30 – 10:00
Class: 10.00– 13:00
Lunch Break: 13:00 – 13:45
Class: 13:45-16:30
*Sunday sharing: 16:30 – 17.00
(The chance to share your work; the creative process as well as the creative outcomes, with an invited audience)
Suitability: Dance/ physical theatre professionals, practitioners, graduates and final year students
For more information and to book a place on the course, please contact:
Helen Di Duca
Education and Participation Officer
Earthfall
02920 221 314
education@earthfall.org.uk