Riverine by Maria Nilsson Waller

Dance Limerick is pleased to announce the performance dates for Step Up 2023

Step Up is a programme of professional development for recent dance graduates from Ireland or based in Ireland. It introduces audiences in Ireland to a group of fresh dance talent that will enrich the country’s dance ecology for years to come. Since it began in 2011, the project has helped over 70 talented young dance graduates to bridge the gap between dance education and professional contemporary dance practice, and to assist them in building networks that support a professional career.

Following a competitive open call last year, five young dance artists were selected to take part in this year’s edition. Ghaliah Conroy, Fionnuala Doyle Wade, Saoirse Lambkin O’Kane, Ben Sullivan and Jessie Thompson have been spending the last few weeks working together at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance and at Dance Limerick, developing new exciting work with choreographer Maria Nilsson Waller.

‘Riverine’ explores the concept and realities of rivers. Drawing on the vital importance of the river Shannon for the city of Limerick, Maria casts a wider net that examines the idea of flow, of embodying a place and collaborating with nature. 

The structure of the piece follows the journey of streams joining together, forming themselves into the River Shannon. In a flow of constant falling, rolling and circling it hits Limerick under the moonlight, taking inspiration from everyday life and mythology. Eventually it dissolves into the ocean, only to return to land again with the wind and the new dawn.

Don’t miss your chance to see the premiere of this innovative work exploring rhythm, joy and the endless possibilities within our bodies.

CREDITS

Choreography Maria Nilsson Waller
Performed by Ghaliah Conroy, Fionnuala Doyle Wade, Saoirse Lambkin O’Kane, Ben Sullivan and Jessie Thompson
Step Up curator Fearghus Ó Conchúir
Rehearsal director Lucia Kickham
Music Stace Gill and Ross Dowling / The Sei
Costume design Ella Daly
Photography Maurice Gunning
Production management & Lighting design Gearoid O Hallmhurain
Sound engineering Jacob Woulfe
Communications Leonor Miralles

The Step Up Dance Project is a collaboration between Dance Limerick, the Irish World Academy, Dance Ireland and the Arts Council of Ireland.