Being Human: Graduate Opportunity

Lisa Simpson Inclusive Dance is looking for recent dance graduates for a new piece exploring human connection

Lisa Simpson is looking for a recent dance graduate with strong contemporary and classical technique to join her upcoming project, Being Human, as Swing.

The successful candidate will attend 1 week of the devising process, 2 days of rehearsals in February 2024, and an opportunity to attend The Lowry performance in March 2024 as further training.
Devised through the lens of Lisa Simpson’s unique choreographic practice, Being Human will, at its core, explore human connection. Portraying the spectrum of lockdown – self-sufficiency versus dependency, the piece will explore isolation and disconnection, safety and tranquillity.

About Lisa Simpson

Lisa is a Liverpool based award-winning choreographer, Artistic Director for Dance at Sense, and Director of Lisa Simpson Inclusive Dance (LSID). Lisa has Quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy and no verbal communication. She creates work using her own unique methodology called The Simpson Board: a choreography tool created in partnership with Adam Benjamin, co-founder of Candoco Dance Company.

Where: Elmhurst Ballet School, Birmingham
When: Wednesday 6th September 2023 (full day)
Deadline for applications: Friday 1st September 2023
Auditions are by invitation only

Devising period (graduate dancer will be required for one of the following weeks, dates to be confirmed):

6th – 10th November 2023, Birmingham
20th – 24th November 2023, Birmingham
4th – 8th December 2023, Birmingham

Rehearsals:

26th & 27th February 2024, Birmingham

Performances and workshops:

*8th December 2023, pre-premiere at Sense Touchbase Pears, Birmingham
*March 2024 (date tbc), premiere at New Work Festival, Curve Theatre, Leicester
**20th March 2024, The Lowry, Manchester
*Further performances to be announced
Dancers will also support Lisa in co-delivering inclusive Being Human workshops to CAT students as part of the project (dates tbc)

*If required
**Attendance as further training opportunity (travel costs from Midlands covered)

Criteria:

  • Strong contemporary and classical technique
  • Comfortable and confident with storytelling through choreography
  • Strong performance and improvisational skills
  • Experience of devising
  • An understand of working inclusively in a creative setting and/ or a willingness to learn
  • An interest in teaching and delivering inclusive dance practices to students and the public
  • Applicants must be aged 18+ at the time of the audition.

Fee

  • £550/ week during devising process (1 week)
  • £150/ day during rehearsal period in February 2024 (2 days)
  • £180/ performance day (if required)
  • Travel costs from the Midlands to attend performance at The Lowry

Travel costs from the Midlands to performance venues, plus any necessary overnight accommodation, will be covered.

How to Apply

Send your application to info@simpsonboard.co.uk with ‘Being Human Graduate Opportunity Application’ as the subject line.Please include in your application:

1. Your CV, including a recent headshot
2. A cover letter explaining what drew you to Being Human, and why you would be suitable for this particular project
3. A Youtube, Dropbox, or Google Drive link containing a video of recent dance footage/showreel (please note we cannot accept video files sent via email)

Video applications:
We understand that some applicants may prefer to send their application in video format. If you would like to do this, please ensure that your video application includes the information above, and is no longer than 5 minutes. Please send a Youtube, Dropbox, or Google Drive link containing your video application to the email address above (please note we cannot accept video files sent via email).

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