'I can’t think of a held space like this that is relaxed, informal, but focused'
[Jessie, SDT]
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dancers-talking group sessions What? Zoom meet-up sessions for professional dancers at any stage of their career. The main focus is to offer support, connection and inspiration to dancers as they move between the different phases of their career. When? Every few weeks from 7:30-9pm (approximately) How big are the groups? Groups tend to be between 3-10 people How much? Donation based
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conversations-with evenings The conversations-with evenings invite young artists and elders of the profession to chew over questions they both bring.
Held at intervals throughout the year and lasting for approximately 2 hours, they invite established artists and a group of no more than 10 people to come together for an intimate inter-generational chat. The evenings aim to give artists at all stages of their career insight into the roles and perspectives of their peers, regardless of their position or stage of life. A chance for dancers early or mid career to hear from people a little further down the line. And for the elders of the industry to keep in touch with the ideas and view points of the next generation. Guests who will join us in the upcoming months: Karen Christopher Theo Lowe Louisa Thomsen-Brits Freddie Opokudo Addaie (tbc) Anna Finkel Delphine Gaborit Guests who joined us in 2021: Jonathan Burrows Hofesh Shechter Paul Pillai Hannes Langolf |
Testimonials
'Having a regular time slot to reflect on the things that are either acute and/or on a wider scale important to us, as individuals and as a society, has helped to keep me centered and motivated. Every meeting has been fun, comforting and uplifting, and well led’.
[Malin Kvist, graduate London Studio Centre]
'Such a rich space for individuals to build themselves, but also connect to a community. What better way is there to grow as an individual than along side people? I can’t think of one’.
[Liam, Rambert]
'The ideas [Pip] provides/provokes are as important, as the more dancer-specific discussions. [She] is experienced, well- connected, patient, and incredibly approachable, and her light touch in questioning and humour isn’t the easiest to come by.'
[Jessie, Scottish Dance Theater]
'Pippa created a soft, open and generous space that allowed us (the participants) to share our experiences honestly and with vulnerability. The intimacy of the sharing meant that I felt seen and heard in my challenges. Pippa's facilitation felt intuitive and responsive to the group. It never felt formulaic or prescriptive. Her facilitation was pointed and motivated a big journey in us all over the day. I came away from the day with a new sense of empowerment, connection to my community, inspiration and drive. It was the jump start that I had been looking for for a long time.’
[Anna, Punchdrunk]
'Pippa's qualities makes this conversation possible. She has a way of making you feel heard, and comfortable and safe. It felt like a space in which you could say pretty much anything from the deeply personal to the controversial via the ridiculous and exposing. Pippa is also, and crucially, really open about her own ups and downs in her fabulous journey which is so beautiful and needed. She also cooks a mean cake for the 4pm break which just is above and beyond! She was very smart in putting a group of people together whose pathways as dancers had crossed. Knowing we all understood from our core, without the need for words, what it meant to go from 'dancer' to 'the next calling' is very important. It builds trust and a very important common ground.'
[Delphine, Sasha Waltz]
'What Pippa was able to facilitate through ‘dancers-talking’ was a space in which the dancers voice, concerns, knowledge and experience could be heard, respected and valued. It is a space that encouraged debate, acceptance and activism, whilst also being a shared experience of care, empathy and laughter. It was invaluable to me during the past 6 months and I will continue to engage with it as I move forward, as it promises a vast capacity of knowledge and support as a dancer, and as human.'
[Hannah, Rambert]
'Having a regular time slot to reflect on the things that are either acute and/or on a wider scale important to us, as individuals and as a society, has helped to keep me centered and motivated. Every meeting has been fun, comforting and uplifting, and well led’.
[Malin Kvist, graduate London Studio Centre]
'Such a rich space for individuals to build themselves, but also connect to a community. What better way is there to grow as an individual than along side people? I can’t think of one’.
[Liam, Rambert]
'The ideas [Pip] provides/provokes are as important, as the more dancer-specific discussions. [She] is experienced, well- connected, patient, and incredibly approachable, and her light touch in questioning and humour isn’t the easiest to come by.'
[Jessie, Scottish Dance Theater]
'Pippa created a soft, open and generous space that allowed us (the participants) to share our experiences honestly and with vulnerability. The intimacy of the sharing meant that I felt seen and heard in my challenges. Pippa's facilitation felt intuitive and responsive to the group. It never felt formulaic or prescriptive. Her facilitation was pointed and motivated a big journey in us all over the day. I came away from the day with a new sense of empowerment, connection to my community, inspiration and drive. It was the jump start that I had been looking for for a long time.’
[Anna, Punchdrunk]
'Pippa's qualities makes this conversation possible. She has a way of making you feel heard, and comfortable and safe. It felt like a space in which you could say pretty much anything from the deeply personal to the controversial via the ridiculous and exposing. Pippa is also, and crucially, really open about her own ups and downs in her fabulous journey which is so beautiful and needed. She also cooks a mean cake for the 4pm break which just is above and beyond! She was very smart in putting a group of people together whose pathways as dancers had crossed. Knowing we all understood from our core, without the need for words, what it meant to go from 'dancer' to 'the next calling' is very important. It builds trust and a very important common ground.'
[Delphine, Sasha Waltz]
'What Pippa was able to facilitate through ‘dancers-talking’ was a space in which the dancers voice, concerns, knowledge and experience could be heard, respected and valued. It is a space that encouraged debate, acceptance and activism, whilst also being a shared experience of care, empathy and laughter. It was invaluable to me during the past 6 months and I will continue to engage with it as I move forward, as it promises a vast capacity of knowledge and support as a dancer, and as human.'
[Hannah, Rambert]
If you are interested, please drop a line to Pip Duke - [email protected]