Merseyside Dance Initiative: Shaping The Future
Coinciding with the announcement of LEAP Festival 2019, MDI are striving to develop talent in the region through a series of commissioning opportunities
LEAP 2019, announced in June, already has an overwhelming line up, featuring some of the best performers, dance artists and companies working in the UK. Featuring work by Motionhouse (known for their stunning opening ceremony performance at the London 2012 Olympic Games), Rosie Kay’s Fantasia (following the success of MK Ultra for LEAP 2018) and New Art Club’s physical comedy Cupid’s Revenge, the festival is more varied than ever.
As part of that commitment to variety, aspiring dance artists and performers based in the North West are invited to apply for a series of opportunities to perform in the festival, including a chance to perform as part of LEAP’s first ever Fringe programme, created in partnership with LIPA to support dance in the curriculum.
Following the recent news that Dance Manchester will pass the torch to Company Chameleon after 27 years of nurturing dance in Greater Manchester, it seems apt that MDI is thinking about their future with fresh eyes. Now settled in her new post, MDI Director Martina Murphy is keen to reestablish MDI as a sector leader in the North West, and supporting and nurturing the stars of the future.
Martina Murphy said “Dance Manchester has done incredible things for dance in the region, and its an incredible legacy to leave, as well as a huge honour for Company Chameleon to inherit. We’re excited to see how our colleagues at Company Chameleon develop, and are keen to work more closely with our northern neighbours moving forwards.”
MDI are looking for performers for three distinct opportunities:
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Experienced dance artists are invited to apply for grants of us to £2000 to support new work, so be performed at LEAP’s first ever fringe event
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BAME performers from all disciplines to perform at a scratch event curated by industry experts Seke Chimutengwende and Alexandrina Hemsley
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Aspiring performers aged 18-30, looking to test out new and experimental work as part of LEAP’s Fringe Festival
Tickets for LEAP 2019 are now on sale.