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Dear Supporter, welcome to your September 2016 newsletter!
Film Release - 'A Dancer's Journey'
Dancers' Career Development is thrilled to share with you the release of ‘A Dancer's Journey’ - a moving and powerful short film that follows the emotional arc of the feelings faced by dancers as they move towards and through the end of their performing career. Watch it now!
Through dramatic choreography and personal stories, the film presents a rare insight into the lives of these incredible artists in a moment of their lives that is both challenging and exciting, yet often unseen.
We learn of the role that Dancers’ Career Development plays as it walks alongside and supports dancers in their journey, as they explore their life beyond performing.
With exciting possibilities...
Featuring the beautiful Eve Mutso, DCD supported dancer and former Principal dancer with Scottish Ballet, and written and directed by the visionary Emma Flett, former dancer and film maker.
The film was premiered at a private screening for special guests from the film and dance world at London's Ham Yard Hotel, followed by a glittering reception.
DCD supports all professional dancers, including independent contemporary, commercial and Musical Theatre dancers to successfully navigate career transition.
We are incredibly grateful to Kit Kemp, co-owner and Design Director for Firmdale Hotels; Bloomsbury Flowers, founded by DCD supported dancers Stephen Wicks and Mark Welford; Kevin O'Hare, Director of DCD Contributing Company The Royal Ballet; Christopher Hampson, CEO and Artistic Director of DCD Contributing Company Scottish Ballet; and Andrej Uspenski, DCD supported dancer and photographer, for supporting the screening event and what was a very special evening for DCD.
The film will feature and can be shared on DCD's website as well as the websites of The Royal Opera House, Scottish Ballet, Special Treats and Flett Films.
Booking for EVOLVE Birmingham Now Open!
EVOLVE is a full day workshop giving you the chance to explore career transition with confidence and positivity.
Coming for the first time to Birmingham on Monday 31 October, in partnership with DCD Contributing Company Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Dancers will hear first hand from DCD supported dancers about their own experiences of career transition, including DCD supported dancer, Simone Muller-Lotz.
"All dancers need to come to EVOLVE, it doesn't matter what stage you're at in your career, it's important to start thinking about who else you are, outside of dance". Rachael Nanyonjo, Independent dance artist
Open to dancers from all genres of professional dance – from classical, contemporary to musical theatre and commercial.
Places will be limited, so make sure to book your place now!
Watch the fantastic film from the last EVOLVE London which took place at the Royal Opera House in October 2015, created by DCD retrained dancer, Daniel Jones.
Dream Big! EVOLVE London
We were delighted to host our seventh EVOLVE workshop at The Place in London, in partnership with DCD Contributing Company Richard Alston Dance Company.
As put one of the participants, it was "a day filled with love, laughter and respect."
A thought provoking day, where we heard from DCD supported dancers about their own, personal experiences of transition. We're so grateful to Anna Lowe and Andrew Hurst who shared their stories with the participants.
"I'm here today for inspiration, perspective and self discovery." EVOLVE London participant
You can have a sneak peak and be inspired by thoughts and tips from the day by checking out #DCDEVOLVE at @dcd_dancers twitter feed.
Photo credit: DCD supported dancer Stephen Wright
Andrew Hurst - DCD Transition Tales
Andrew is a former professional dancer and now Chief Executive of dance industry body One Dance UK.
With DCD's support, Andrew completed a Masters in Cultural Management.
"Don’t worry or be afraid if you don’t know what you want to do, or feel a bit lost at times – this is a normal part of the process and will pass".
Andrew shared his inspiring story at our most recent EVOLVE London workshop.
Top Tips for Dancers:
Top tips from DCD supported dancers and EVOLVE London speakers Anna Lowe and Andrew Hurst...
* Make a plan, break down the steps of getting from A to B - be brave and share your plan with people who can support you
* Ask people you admire about their journey - people will often be flattered and happy to share their experience if asked
* Say 'yes!' to things! Take on the opportunities offered to you and stretch beyond your comfort zone
* Think and dream big!
* It's fine not to have all the answers - don't hold yourself back, think positively
* Don't be afraid to ask for help or advice, DCD are here to help!
Photo credit: DCD supported dancer Stephen Wright
Action Learning for Dance Professionals
Action Learning is a form of peer mentoring.
Starting in November, Independent Dance and DCD jointly offer an opportunity for dance professionals seeking a rigorous, reflective space to develop.
Over the course of a year, up to three peer groups will meet five times to work through real-life projects and problems in a confidential space, with an experienced facilitator. Meetings will take place at Independent Dance in London.
Deadline for applications: Mon 17 October 2016
First set meetings: Tue 1 November / Mon 7 November / Wed 16 November 2016
To reserve your place please call Independent Dance on 020 7091 9650 or email info@independentdance.co.uk.
Photo credit: Ironwood Bluffs Bridge, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Support Independent Dancers!
DCD’s Executive Director Jennifer Curry recently ran the Spotlight 2016 challenge in London's Regent's Park to raise funds towards DCD’s work supporting dancers, completing 10K in 58:46 min.
And there's still time to donate!
Help us reach our £1,000 target - we're already on £920, so not far to go!
DCD ran as part of Acting for Others, an umbrella charity which specialises in supporting professionals of the entertainment industry.
Huge thanks also to Daniel Gabbitus as well as DCD supported dancer Simone Muller-Lotz who both ran alongside Jennifer!
Thank you to all those who have so very kindly donated!
Sharing Transition Expertise
DCD were invited to meet with the Swedish Employment Council (TRS, Trygghetsradet) to share our expertise and experience of supporting dancers through career transition and to hear about dancers’ transition journeys.
The TRS are looking to create support for dancers and performers in Sweden through a new organisation called SOK-stiftelsen and were in London as part of a study trip.
We're grateful to DCD supported dancers Lee Bamford, George Long, Jenna Lee, Celisa Diuana and Claire Meehan for sharing their moving and personal accounts of their experience.
Photos: Top - from left to right, Lee Bamford, Claire Meehan, Celisa Diuana, Jenna Lee and George Long.
Bottom - Members of the Swedish Employment Council
DCD Workshop for The Royal Ballet School
DCD visited The Royal Ballet School’s third year students, delivering a workshop as part of our Schools and Conservatoires Programme.
DCD works with students in the final three years of study at The Royal Ballet School (ages 16 to 19). The students learned about the practicalities of Transition and the Transition Support Services provided by DCD. They also heard a first-hand account of career transition from DCD supported dancer Jaimie Persson.
DCD works in partnership with The Royal Ballet School, as well as with English National Ballet School and Trinity Laban. We are currently working to expand this programme further to include other dance schools and conservatoires across the UK and dance genres.
If you are a school interested in DCD providing a similar programme for your students, or for more information, please contact Jennifer Curry, Executive Director.
Thinking of applying for a Financial Retraining Grant?
The next deadline is Wednesday 16 November 2016 at 5pm.
Make sure you book your one to one consultation at least one week before you submit your application!
For more information or to arrange a consultation in person, over the telephone or via Skype, please contact Ellen or call us on 020 7831 1449 to discuss your plans.
Photo credit: DCD supported dancer Andrew Ross
DCD Bursary Recipients Announced
We're delighted to have awarded financial retraining grants and special bursaries to the latest cohort of DCD supported dancers.
Congratulations to Hannah Vassallo for the Acting for Others Bursary towards her training in Pilates and Osteopathy; Sachi Kimura for the Bettine Goldberg Bursary for the MA in Movement: Directing and Teaching at Central School of Speech and Drama; and Christian From for the Bettine Goldberg Bursary for the MFA in Movement: Directing and Teaching at Central School of Speech and Drama.
Photo credit: DCD supported dancer Andrew Ross
Are you a DCD supported dancer? We'd love to know what you're up to!
Have You Donated to boundless?
DCD is raising funds to provide two Financial Retraining Grants, allowing professional independent dancers to expand upon their unique skills and strengths and gain additional experience and expertise in the career field of their choice.
No donations too large or small and all very gratefully received! A big thank you to all those who have already donated.
Coming Up...
- 26 September - Action Learning Workshop in partnership with Independent Dance - free taster day
- 17 October - deadline for applications to join Action Learning set
- 17 & 24 October - Official Acting for Others theatre collection weeks
- 31 October - EVOLVE Birmingham
- 1, 7 & 16 November - Action Learning first set meetings
- 16 November - Financial Retraining Grant deadline
- 25 November - DCD workshop for The Royal Ballet School second year students
Thank you
Dancers' Career Development is kindly supported by the following Contributing Companies:
Birmingham Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Northern Ballet, Rambert Dance
Company, Richard Alston Dance Company, Scottish Ballet and The Royal Ballet
The Dancers' Career Development Independent Trust is generously
supported by:
The Linbury Trust, The Society of London Theatre, Equity Charitable Trust,
The Rudolf Nureyev Foundation, Acting for Others,
The Royal Opera House Benevolent Fund and The Mackintosh Foundation.