Step Up Dance Project 2016 culminates in the performance of Snapshot, a collection of short dance works, beginning at Dance Limerick on Wednesday 24 August at 6pm. Directed by renowned choreographer Lea Anderson, Snapshot will be performed by young contemporary dancers Millie Daniel-Dempsey, Sibéal Davitt, Lisa Hogan, Emily Kilkenny Roddy and Rachel Sheil. Admission free.
The show will also tour, as follows:
Dance Limerick: Wed 24 Aug, 6pm
The Cube, NUIG: Thurs 25 Aug, 6pm
Firkin Crane, Cork: Fri 26 Aug, 6pm
DanceHouse, Dublin: Sat 27 Aug, 4pm
Inspired by superstars of dance, sport, screen and pop, Snapshot is a portfolio performance of short pieces which have emerged from an intense research period, analysing and sampling movement from footage and photos. Assuming the role of dance historian, the choreographer and dancers have compiled, collated and confounded source material from iconic figures as diverse as Michael Jackson and Muhammed Ali to Martha Graham and Marilyn Monroe. The result is a fascinating coming together of styles, rhythm and drama in a captivating dance theatre experience.
Step Up Dance Project aims to bridge the gap between dance education and professional contemporary dance practice in Ireland. Open to exceptional recent dance graduates, selected via open competition, Step Up is an intensive programme of classes, development, rehearsals and performance, directed by a guest choreographer. The project is a partnership between the Arts Council, Dance Limerick, Dance Ireland and the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL.
Now in its sixth year, Step Up 2016 sees an expanded programme designed to enhance the participants’ professional networks by connecting them to the Irish contemporary dance community and thereby improve their professional opportunities in Ireland. The new expanded Step Up programme includes the following elements:
– Creation & Performance
– Repertory Programme
– Dancers as Entrepreneurs
– Personal Development
Guest choreographer of Step Up 2016 Lea Anderson is Artistic Director of The Cholmondeleys and Featherstonehaughs, two of the foremost contemporary dance companies in the UK. In 2002, Lea was awarded an MBE for her services to dance, and in 2006 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Dartington College of Arts. In autumn 2014, she was appointed Regents Professor at the University of California in Los Angeles and is currently Artist in Residence at the Southbank Centre. Her latest works include a performed exhibition of choreography and costume at The V & A Museum in London, a full-length theatrical piece, Ladies and Gentlemen, and Pans People Papers, an ongoing digital series with filmmaker Marisa Zanotti. Lea recently choreographed How To Talk To Girls At Parties, the latest film directed by John Cameron Mitchell, based on the short story by Neil Gaiman, due for release in 2017.
Commenting on this year’s project, Jenny Traynor, Director of Dance Limerick and Producer of Step Up, says “Many young dancers from Ireland train abroad. The Step Up programme is a wonderful opportunity for them to return and re-connect with the professional dance community here. Participants work under the direction of a renowned choreographer, developing their technical and performance skills, and deepening their understanding of the creative process. This is a great opportunity for any young dancer who has the drive, energy and initiative to succeed, and for the audience to witness some of our exceptional young talent. All are welcome, so we’d love our Limerick audience to come and see what some of our best young dancers are up to!”
Additional Info – Dancer Biographies:
Millie Daniel-Dempsey
Millie graduated in 2015 from the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance with a BA (Hons) Degree in Contemporary Dance Performance. During her training Millie gained experience working with Scottish based company Fuora Dance Project and for Scottish Dance Theatre’s Creative Learning department. Following graduation, Millie performed at festivals in Scotland and Germany before moving to Budapest to take part in Budapest Dance Theatre’s élite training programme. Earlier this year, she worked with the Crossover Project dance company in Berlin.
Sibéal Davitt
Sibéal Davitt is a Dublin-born dance artist. Her style of dance is influenced by contemporary, classical and Irish traditional sean-nós dance, having trained in all styles from an early age. In 2009 she won Glas Vegas, a national talent competition televised on TG4, and subsequently performed in Las Vegas and at leading venues around the world. In 2014, Sibéal graduated with an MA in Contemporary Dance Performance (First Class Hons) at UL. As part of this year’s 1916 commemorations, Sibéal performed in RTÉ’s Centenary, televised live on Easter Monday from the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. She also performed Fógraím / I Proclaim as part of Embodied, a series of six solos by Irish female choreographers, commissioned by the GPO: Witness History Public Art Commission and Dublin Dance Festival. Sibéal is currently looking at bridging contemporary and traditional dance in her choreographic practice.
Lisa Hogan
Lisa’s passion for dance and the arts began at an early age and led her to pursue a BA in Voice and Dance at the University of Limerick. She went on to further training at the College of Dance, Dublin, graduating with a professional dance training diploma. Lisa is eager to work towards the many opportunities the dance community in Ireland and abroad has to offer.
Emily Kilkenny Roddy
Originally from County Laois, Emily began her dance training at Bray Institute of Further Education (BIFE), studying jazz, classical ballet and contemporary dance. She choreographed and successfully auditioned pieces for the BIFE end of year showcase for three years and was named Student of the Year in 2013. Having achieved her HND, she went on to study for a BA (Hons) in Dance at the University of Chichester and is due to graduate in October 2016. She has previously performed and worked with international company ATOM- r and dance artists Aisling O’Coineen, Nick Bryson and Karen Gleeson.
Rachel Sheil
Rachel is currently completing her MA in Contemporary Dance Performance at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL. Her background in contemporary and street dance training influences her solo work. Rachel has worked with choreographers such as Hélène Cathala, John Scott, Iseli-Chiodi Dance and Laura Murphy. Most recently she completed the TRY! residency under Iseli-Chiodi Dance, participated in a dance intensive in Austria, with support from an Arts Council Travel and Training Award and received a mentorship residency award from Dance Ireland, beginning in January 2017. Rachel will perform her MA final solo in September and will continue to develop her choreographic practice and to teach at various locations in Ireland.
Photos by Maurice Gunning
ENDS
Further info: Dance Limerick (061) 400994 / info@dancelimerick.ie
