The Stage

Matthew Bourne launches choreographer award

Published Wednesday 13 April 2011 at 14:27 by Adam Baker

Matthew Bourne’s company New Adventures is launching a choreography award for gifted performers to mark the artistic director’s 50th birthday.

The money, which will be worth more than £15,000, will be granted to a recipient to work on their choreographic skills over a period of 12 months. The New Adventures Choreographer Award has been created by colleagues and friends of Bourne to mark his recent landmark last year. Organisers have said that within 48 hours of sending out an email regarding the establishment of the award to colleagues, friends and former New Adventures artists, almost £15,000 was pledged by more than 120 people.

Bourne said: “I fear that many talented choreographers are lost to us through lack of opportunities to develop their skills and get their work seen. I hope that the New Adventures Choreographer Award will go some small way to rectifying that for one talented individual every two years.”

Throughout the year, the recipient will have the chance to be mentored by Bourne and other New Adventures associate artists to research and develop a programme of work with a company of New Adventures dancers. In addition, they will receive advice and support from the management and administrative staff at New Adventures and Re:Bourne, including creating and managing budgets, marketing and general management. A showcase performance of the created programme of work will be the culmination of the award, to which leading industry figures will be invited.

Aspiring choreographers are invited to apply from March 27, 2011. There is no age limit and all styles of dance will be considered. For further details go to www.new-adventures.net.

The deadline for applications is May 1, 2011 and a shortlist of applications will be announced on June 1. The winner will be announced mid-July 2011.