Press Releases: Sadler's Wells announces plans for new venue Sadler's Wells East

[Jan McNulty]

Press Release: Tuesday 9 November 2021

 

Choreographic School at Sadler’s Wells East to open in 2023, with modules led by William Forsythe, Lin Hwai-Min and Alesandra Seutin

 

SadIer’s Wells today announced the first three choreographers to lead the inaugural programme of its Choreographic School are William Forsythe, Lin Hwai-Min and Alesandra Seutin.

 

The Choreographic School is one of the major initiatives at Sadler’s Wells’ fourth London venue Sadler’s Wells East, due to open in late 2023. It’s a programme of activity offering up to 13 early-career artists the opportunity to develop their choreographic practice over a two- year period, with modules and mentorship led by established choreographers.

 

William Forsythe has led the way in contemporary European and American dance for more than 45 years.  His work is acknowledged for reorienting the practice of ballet from its identification with classical repertoire to a dynamic 21st century art form.

Lin Hwai Min founded Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan in 1973.  He led the company to international prominence through his thrilling creations that transform Asian aesthetics into contemporary celebration of motion.  Many of his productions have been presented at Sadler's Wells Theatre.

 

International performer, choreographer and teacher Alesandra Seutin uses contemporary and African dance styles in her work.  She is the current Guest Artistic Director of the National Youth Dance Company, hosted by Sadler’s Wells. She is an Artistic Director for

École des Sables in Senegal and founded her own company Vocab Dance in 2007.

 

Each module leader will also invite musicians, architects, and artists from other disciplines to give lectures or hold workshops, so that participants get the opportunity to work in a wide range of styles and with a variety of artists.

 

The Choreographic School is part of Sadler’s Wells’ commitment to supporting artists at all points in their careers. It is a major new initiative alongside the organisation’s existing artist development programmes, which include working closely with its Young Associates and Associate Artists and hosting the National Youth Dance Company.

 

Alistair Spalding, Sadler’s Wells Artistic Director and Chief Executive said: “The Choreographic School is a much-needed initiative that will benefit the dance ecology by supporting artists at a crucial point in their careers. It will be a living creative environment, where artists can develop and flourish. I am very excited to welcome the three fantastic choreographers we’ve announced today to lead modules in the inaugural year. They all have a unique aesthetic and approach to their work that will give the participants an incredible insight into a range of choreographic styles.”

 

 

Extending beyond the 13 participants, the Choreographic School will benefit a wider cohort who will be able to access lectures and workshops online. There will also be an opportunity for dance students to take part as performers in the creation component and have access to some of the course content and experiences. Daily class will also be open to other professional dancers.

 

The inaugural programme will start in January 2024 and run until December 2025. Recruitment will take place in Spring 2023.

 

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries said: “London needs big forward looking, ambitious creative projects as we recover from this pandemic - and culture and the creative industries will play a huge role in our economic recovery. These exciting plans from Sadler’s Wells demonstrate the vision behind the East Bank project - the most ambitious new project of its kind for over 150 years.”

 

 

Notes to editors:

About Sadler’s Wells

Sadler's Wells is a world-leading dance organisation. We strive to make and share dance that inspires us all. Our acclaimed year-round programme spans dance of every kind, from contemporary to flamenco, Bollywood to ballet, salsa to street dance and tango to tap.

We commission, produce and present more dance than any other organisation in the world. Since 2005, we have helped to bring close to 200 new dance works to the stage, embracing both the popular and the unknown.

 

Each year, over half a million people visit our three London theatres - Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Lilian Baylis Studio and Peacock Theatre. Millions more attend our touring productions nationally and internationally or explore our digital platforms, including Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage. In 2023 we’re opening a fourth London venue in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Sadler’s Wells East will house a 550-seat mid-scale theatre, as well as facilities for the Choreographic School and Hip Hop Theatre Academy.

 

Supporting artists is at the heart of our work. We have associate artists and companies, which nurture some of the most exciting talent working in dance today. We host the National Youth Dance Company, which draws together some of the brightest young dancers from across the country. Sadler’s Wells Breakin' Convention runs professional development programmes to champion and develop the world’s best hip hop artists, as well as producing, programming and touring groundbreaking hip hop performances.

 

Around 30,000 people take part in our learning and engagement programmes every year. We support schools local to our theatres in Islington and Stratford, designing experiences for children and young people to watch, explore and critically engage with the arts. We also run Company of Elders, a resident performance company of dancers aged over 60 who rehearse with renowned artists to make new work for public performances locally, nationally and internationally.

 

Sadler’s Wells is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.

www.sadlerswells.com

 

Stay up to date with everything Sadler’s Wells on social media Facebook: @SadlersWells
Twitter: @Sadlers_Wells
Instagram: @sadlers_wells

YouTube: Sadler’s Wells Theatre

 

About Sadler’s Wells East

Sadler’s Wells East joins the rich cultural heritage of Stratford, opening in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2023 as part of the East Bank development alongside the BBC, UAL’s London College of Fashion, UCL and the V&A. Sadler’s Wells East will support artist development and training, and the creation of new work. It will build the infrastructure for dance and make it accessible to more people. Home to our Hip Hop Theatre Academy and the Choreographic School, Sadler’s Wells East will also house a flexible theatre where we will present a wide variety of dance performances. Community will be at the heart of Sadler’s Wells East with a large open foyer that can be used by everyone as a meeting or performance space. There will also be dance studios and world- class dance facilities for dancemakers to train, create and rehearse productions.

Sadler's Wells East - About us - Sadler's Wells (sadlerswells.com)

 

About William Forsythe

William Forsythe has been active in the field of choreography for over 45 years. His work is acknowledged for reorienting the practice of ballet from its identification with classical repertoire to a dynamic 21st century art form. Forsythe's deep interest in the fundamental principles of organization has led him to produce a wide range of projects including Installations, Films, and Web based knowledge creation. Raised in New York and initially trained in Florida with Nolan Dingman and Christa Long, Forsythe danced with the Joffrey Ballet and later the Stuttgart Ballet, where he was appointed Resident Choreographer in 1976. In 1984, he began a 20-year tenure as director of the Ballet Frankfurt. After its closure, Forsythe established a new ensemble, The Forsythe Company, which he directed from 2005 to 2015. Forsythe’s most recent works were developed and performed exclusively by The Forsythe Company, while his earlier pieces are prominently featured in the repertoire of virtually every major ballet company in the world, including The Mariinsky Ballet, The New York City Ballet and The Paris Opera Ballet.

 

About Lin Hwai-Min

Lin Hwai-min founded Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan in 1973 and retired at the end of 2019, appointing Cheng Tsung-lung the company’s new Artistic Director. Celebrated by Time magazine as one of Asia’s Heroes, he has led this company to international prominence through his thrilling creations that transform Asian aesthetics into contemporary celebration of motion.

 

Among the honours Lin Hwai-min has received are Samuel H. Scripps /American Dance Festival Award for Lifetime Achievement; the John D. Rockefeller Award, New York; the Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters, France; and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Movimentos Dance Festival, Germany. He has created over 90 choreographic pieces, many of which have left an indelible imprint on the audience’s memories, such as Legacy, Nine Songs, Moon Water, Rice, Songs of the Wanderers, and Formosa, which was selected by the Guardian as one of the Top 20 “Best Dances of the 21st Century.”

 

About Alesandra Seutin

International performer, choreographer and teacher Alesandra Seutin grew up in Brussels and lives in London. She studied dance internationally and continued her training at the École des Sables (Senegal) where she became a student of Germaine Acogny, training directly under Acogny. Seutin is an Artistic Director for École des Sables. Working in a variety of fields, Seutin is also a movement director, dramaturge, teacher and performer, performing for several noted artists including Jonathan Burrows, Tanusree Shankar, Germaine Acogny and Rafael Bonachela. Seutin founded Vocab Dance in 2007 and has progressively built an international reputation for creating thought provoking and visually striking performances. Her creativity is inspired by social and political circumstances, and with movement, voice and music, she shares stories to encourage further conversation. Seutin presented Boy Breaking Glass as part of Sadler’s Wells’ 20th anniversary commission, Reckonings, in October 2018 alongside works from Sadler’s Wells New Wave Associate Julie Cunningham and Botis Seva. Seutin has also created work for Sadler’s Wells’ resident over-60s performance company, Company of Elders. Seutin’s latest work Dear Winnie for JR.CE.SA.R supported by KVS & NNT will resume its tour in Belgium and will tour internationally in 2022.

[Jan McNulty]

Press Release: Tuesday 9 November 2021

 

Sadler’s Wells announces plans for its Hip Hop Theatre Academy

 

 

The Hip Hop Theatre Academy to develop the next generation of hip hop theatre artists is one of the major initiatives at Sadler’s Wells’ fourth London venue, Sadler’s Wells East, due to open in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in late 2023.

 

Run by Jonzi D, Artistic Director of Breakin’ Convention, Sadler’s Wells and a Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist, the Hip Hop Theatre Academy is a two-year course for students aged 16 - 19. It will offer intensive, practical training in hip hop performing arts, with a focus on live performance and theatre production at an international standard.

 

Students will achieve a Level 3 Extended Diploma. The course will cover all the artistic elements of hip hop theatre, including classes in breaking, popping and hip hop dance, as well as rap, DJing, beatmaking, and graffiti.

 

With Breaking now recognised as an Olympic sport as well as an art form, Breakin’ Convention and Sadler’s Wells are working with Breaking GB to bring Olympic athletes to the Hip Hop Theatre Academy.

 

Jonzi D, Artistic Director of the Hip Hop Theatre Academy, said: “Hip hop culture has produced the fastest growing artistic movement on earth. And now breaking is going to be part of the Olympics in 2024. With our new home being in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and part of the Olympic legacy, it makes sense that breaking is recognised as both an art and a sport. I am so excited that through Breaking GB we can welcome the very best of the breaking world to Sadler’s Wells East to use the fantastic spaces and facilities there, and students at our Hip Hop Theatre Academy can benefit from their expertise.”

 

Alistair Spalding, Sadler’s Wells Artistic Director and Chief Executive, said: “It is such an exciting opportunity to be able to offer training to young people specifically in hip hop dance theatre, to develop the next generation of hip hop theatre artists. It feels like a natural progression for Jonzi D to direct the Hip Hop Theatre Academy, as he has been running world-leading professional development programmes through Breakin’ Convention for many years and is a leading authority in hip hop dance theatre. With breaking now an Olympic sport the art form is more influential than ever, and I am thrilled about the opportunities that working with Breaking GB will offer.”

 

Oliver “Hooch” Whittle, President of Breaking GB, said: “Breaking GB is excited to work with one of the leading hip hop organisations; we’re looking forward to working in the new space and collaborating with both elite and grassroots breakers.”

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries said: “London needs big forward looking, ambitious creative projects as we recover from this pandemic - and culture and the creative industries will play a huge role in our economic recovery. These exciting plans from Sadler’s Wells demonstrate the vision behind the East Bank project - the most ambitious new project of its kind for over 150 years.”

 

 

Notes to editors:

 

About Sadler’s Wells

Sadler's Wells is a world-leading dance organisation. We strive to make and share dance that inspires us all. Our acclaimed year-round programme spans dance of every kind, from contemporary to flamenco, Bollywood to ballet, salsa to street dance and tango to tap.
We commission, produce and present more dance than any other organisation in the world. Since 2005, we have helped to bring close to 200 new dance works to the stage, embracing both the popular and the unknown.

 

Each year, over half a million people visit our three London theatres - Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Lilian Baylis Studio and Peacock Theatre. Millions more attend our touring productions nationally and internationally or explore our digital platforms, including Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage. In 2023 we’re opening a fourth London venue in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Sadler’s Wells East will house a 550-seat mid-scale theatre, as well as facilities for the Choreographic School and Hip Hop Theatre Academy.

 

Supporting artists is at the heart of our work. We have associate artists and companies, which nurture some of the most exciting talent working in dance today. We host the National Youth Dance Company, which draws together some of the brightest young dancers from across the country. Sadler’s Wells Breakin' Convention runs professional development programmes to champion and develop the world’s best hip hop artists, as well as producing, programming and touring groundbreaking hip hop performances.

 

Around 30,000 people take part in our learning and engagement programmes every year. We support schools local to our theatres in Islington and Stratford, designing experiences for children and young people to watch, explore and critically engage with the arts. We also run Company of Elders, a resident performance company of dancers aged over 60 who rehearse with renowned artists to make new work for public performances locally, nationally and internationally.

 

Sadler’s Wells is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.

www.sadlerswells.com

Stay up to date with everything Sadler’s Wells on social media Facebook: @SadlersWells
Twitter: @Sadlers_Wells
Instagram: @sadlers_wells

YouTube: Sadler’s Wells Theatre

 

About Sadler’s Wells East

Sadler’s Wells East joins the rich cultural heritage of Stratford, opening in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2023 as part of the East Bank development alongside the BBC, UAL’s London College of Fashion, UCL and the V&A. Sadler’s Wells East will support artist development and training, and the creation of new work. It will build the infrastructure for dance and make it accessible to more people. Home to our Hip Hop Theatre Academy and the Choreographic School, Sadler’s Wells East will also house a flexible theatre where we will present a wide variety of dance performances. Community will be at the heart of Sadler’s Wells East with a large open foyer that can be used by everyone as a meeting or performance space. There will also be dance studios and world- class dance facilities for dancemakers to train, create and rehearse productions.

 

Sadler's Wells East - About us - Sadler's Wells (sadlerswells.com)

 

About Breakin’ Convention

Breakin' Convention represents the origins and evolution of hip hop culture from around the world and around the corner. Through its international festivals and tours and professional development programme, Breakin' Convention is at the vanguard of the global development of hip hop theatre artists.

 

Supporting the artistic vision, hip hop theatre pioneer Jonzi D founded Breakin’ Convention, supported by Sadler’s Wells in 2004. Breakin’ Convention is now part of Sadler’s Wells and produces its annual festival there. Since its inception, Breakin’ Convention has been pivotal to the development of the global hip hop theatre scene, touring nationally since 2007 and internationally since 2013. Breakin’ Convention has now reached live audiences of over 100,000.

 

Breakin’ Convention is committed to the development of hip hop theatre artists by providing a variety of participatory opportunities. These include professional development programmes for choreographers, dancers and emcees, projects for young people and educational activities in schools as well as bespoke special events.

 

www.breakinconvention.com

Breakin’ Convention social media handles: Facebook: @breakinconvention

Twitter: @BConvention
Instagram: @breakinconvention YouTube: Breakin’ Convention BCTV

 

About Jonzi D

An MC, dancer, spoken word artist and director, Jonzi D is the foremost advocate for hip hop who has changed the profile and influenced the development of the UK British hip hop dance and theatre scene over the last two decades.

 

Since founding Breakin’ Convention in 2004 Jonzi has triumphed in raising the profile and giving a platform to hip hop disciplines, which has gained worldwide recognition as being at the vanguard of the development of the art form. Through professional development projects Open Art Surgery and Back to the Lab, Jonzi has supported hundreds of hip hop dance and rap/poetry artists on their journey to creating theatre.

His critically acclaimed works include 1995‘s Lyrikal Fearta, 1999’s Aeroplane Man, 2006’s TAG... Just Writing My Name, 2009’s Markus the Sadist and 2013’s The Letter: To Be Or To MBE? Jonzi has been featured in HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, had his short films Silence da Bitchin’ & Aeroplane Man screened on Channel 4, toured his work extensively all over the world and delivered his own TED Talk about the influence and evolution of hip hop culture.

 

About Breaking GB

Breaking GB was created at the start of 2021 by an established team of passionate professionals from the UK breaking scene to provide a vehicle to elevate the culture, community and performance pathways for competitive dancers through funding, training, education, facilities and nationwide initiatives.

[Jan McNulty]

Press Release: Tuesday 9 November 2021

 

Sadler’s Wells East to open with Vicki Igbokwe’s Our Mighty Groove, featuring local dancers

 

A dance production rooted in the communities of east London, featuring professional and non-professional dancers from the local area will open Sadler’s Wells’ new venue Sadler’s Wells East in 2023.

 

Choreographed by Vicki Igbokwe, Our Mighty Grove will feature dancers from Sadler’s Wells’ Associate Schools and youth groups. They will join professional dancers in the production.

 

Our Mighty Groove is a reworking of Vicki Igbokwe’s dance theatre show that was first seen as part of a Wild Card evening curated by Igbokwe at Sadler’s Wells in 2013. Set in an underground nightclub in New York, Our Mighty Groove is an immersive interactive production about being empowered on the dance floor. The choreography blends club styles house, waacking and vogue, fused with African and contemporary dance.

 

This production is part of Sadler’s Wells’ ongoing work with Vicki Igbokwe and her company Uchenna Dance to deliver a two-year engagement programme with young people in east London, including summer schools and workshops. A number of participants from this engagement programme will be invited to join the cast of Our Mighty Groove.

 

Alistair Spalding, Sadler’s Wells Artistic Director and Chief Executive said: “One of the most important things for us at Sadler’s Wells, and all the East Bank partners, is that we’re making this a place for the people of east London, so I am delighted to be able to announce our first production at Sadler’s Wells East will feature local dancers. I know Vicki will make the opening of our new venue a wonderful celebration with her joyous show that will get everyone up on the dance floor.”

 

Vicki Igbokwe founded Uchenna Dance in 2009. She was among the first cohort of Sadler’s Wells Summer University; is a Trustee for One Dance UK, the UK Body for Dance; and Associate Facilitator for People Make It Work, a group of cultural leaders who work together to support the cultural sector to change and develop.

 

Vicki Igbokwe said: “I’m really looking forward to creating Our Mighty Groove for the opening season at Sadler’s Wells East. Doing this with Uchenna Dance and local young people will take the show to new heights! It’s important to nurture, empower and support the next generation of performers and members of society to find their voice and influence, which I know a show like Our Mighty Groove will deliver. It’s a full-circle moment for me as this show was originally supported by Sadler’s Wells in 2013 so it’s an honour to develop it for their new theatre. Get ready to be on the edge of your feet!”

 

Sadler’s Wells runs workshops in a wide variety of dance styles with community groups in east London and has close ties with 13 Associate Schools across Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest, helping to create more opportunities to watch, explore and learn through dance.

 

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries said: “London needs big forward looking, ambitious creative projects as we recover from this pandemic - and culture and the creative industries will play a huge role in our economic recovery. These exciting plans from Sadler’s Wells demonstrate the vision behind the East Bank project - the most ambitious new project of its kind for over 150 years.”

 

Notes to editors

 

About Sadler’s Wells

Sadler's Wells is a world-leading dance organisation. We strive to make and share dance that inspires us all. Our acclaimed year-round programme spans dance of every kind, from contemporary to flamenco, Bollywood to ballet, salsa to street dance and tango to tap.
We commission, produce and present more dance than any other organisation in the world. Since 2005, we have helped to bring close to 200 new dance works to the stage, embracing both the popular and the unknown.

 

Each year, over half a million people visit our three London theatres - Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Lilian Baylis Studio and Peacock Theatre. Millions more attend our touring productions nationally and internationally or explore our digital platforms, including Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage. In 2023 we’re opening a fourth London venue in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Sadler’s Wells East will house a 550-seat mid-scale theatre, as well as facilities for the Choreographic School and Hip Hop Theatre Academy.

 

Supporting artists is at the heart of our work. We have associate artists and companies, which nurture some of the most exciting talent working in dance today. We host the National Youth Dance Company, which draws together some of the brightest young dancers from across the country. Sadler’s Wells Breakin' Convention runs professional development programmes to champion and develop the world’s best hip hop artists, as well as producing, programming and touring groundbreaking hip hop performances.

 

Around 30,000 people take part in our learning and engagement programmes every year. We support schools local to our theatres in Islington and Stratford, designing experiences for children and young people to watch, explore and critically engage with the arts. We also run Company of Elders, a resident performance company of dancers aged over 60 who rehearse with renowned artists to make new work for public performances locally, nationally and internationally.

 

Sadler’s Wells is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.

www.sadlerswells.com

Stay up to date with everything Sadler’s Wells on social media

Facebook: @SadlersWells
Twitter: @Sadlers_Wells
Instagram: @sadlers_wells

YouTube: Sadler’s Wells Theatre

 

About Sadler’s Wells East

Sadler’s Wells East joins the rich cultural heritage of Stratford, opening in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2023 as part of the East Bank development alongside the BBC, UAL’s London College of Fashion, UCL and the V&A. Sadler’s Wells East will support artist development and training, and the creation of new work. It will build the infrastructure for dance and make it accessible to more people. Home to our Hip Hop Theatre Academy and the Choreographic School, Sadler’s Wells East will also house a flexible theatre where we will present a wide variety of dance performances. Community will be at the heart of Sadler’s Wells East with a large open foyer that can be used by everyone as a meeting or performance space. There will also be dance studios and world- class dance facilities for dancemakers to train, create and rehearse productions.

Sadler's Wells East - About us - Sadler's Wells (sadlerswells.com)

 

About Vicki Igbokwe

Vicki Igbokwe is a Choreographer and Movement Director working in dance and theatre, a Coach and Facilitator working in the arts; and the founder, Creative Director & Joint CEO of Uchenna Dance, a London based dance theatre company on a mission to Empower, Entertain and Educate.

 

She was among the first cohort of Sadler’s Wells Summer University, is a Trustee for One Dance UK, the UK Body for Dance and Associate Facilitator for People Make It Work, a group of cultural leaders who work together to support the cultural sector to change and develop. She won the 2020 Women in Dance Award from AWA (Advancing Women’s Aspirations with Dance), a charity dedicated to helping women and girls aspire to leadership roles through dance.

 

Career highlights include a sponsorship deal with Nike (2005-2010) and work as a Mass Movement Choreographer on the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games.

 

Her mission is to enable those she works with to Think Fierce, Be Fabulous and Live Free Spirited.

 

www.vickiigbokwe.com

Stay up to date with everything Vicki Igbokwe on social media

Twitter: @IgbokweVicki
Instagram: @vicki_igbokwe

 

About Uchenna Dance

Uchenna Dance (Uchenna) was formed in 2009 under the vision and leadership of Vicki Igbokwe. Since its inception in 2009, Uchenna Dance has grown from an informal explorative company to a tour de force within the dance sector.

The company’s overarching aim is to empower, entertain and educate through dance in a diverse programme that includes the creation of dance theatre production experiences, coaching, dance based empowerment workshops and teaching in schools and institutions. The Uchenna dance style fuses Waacking, Vogue and House with traditional African and Contemporary, creating a signatory aesthetic that simply is, Uchenna.

 

www.uchennadance.com

Stay up to date with everything Uchenna Dance on social media

Facebook: @UchennaDance
Twitter: @uchennadanceco
Instagram: @uchenna_dance

YouTube: UchennaDance

[LinMM]

I hope it’s not too far from the Stratford tube station!! 

[bangorballetboy]

14 hours ago, LinMM said:

I hope it’s not too far from the Stratford tube station!! 

 

The East Bank complex is about half-way between Stratford stations and the former Olympic Stadium. See the map.

[LinMM]

I know my way to the swimming pool which I used to swim in before Covid from time to time as I love the building so much and Olympic size pools quite hard to come by but feel that as it’s now over two years I’m going to forget how to get there!! 
I seem to remember the pool was about a 20-25 min walk from the station. 
Thanks for the map that’s really helpful! 

Edited November 10, 2021 by LinMM