Young dance artists to Step Up as they explore their 'honest creative selves'

DANCE Limerick and the Irish World Academy are delighted to present the 2023 edition of the Step Up Dance Project

The initiative is a programme of professional development for recent dance graduates from Ireland or  based in Ireland. It introduces audiences in Ireland to a group of fresh dance talent that will enrich the country’s dance ecology for years to come.

Step Up is a partnership between Dance Limerick, The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at University of Limerick, Dance Ireland and the Arts Council.

Since it was established in 2011, the project has helped over 70 talented young dance graduates to bridge the gap between dance education and professional contemporary dance practice, and to assist them in building networks that support a professional career. 

Step Up exists to support the development of skilled dance artists to contribute to the growing dance ecology in Ireland and to help affirm the place of dance in the country’s cultural, social and political life. The programme is committed to equality of opportunity, supports and encourages under-represented groups and values diversity.

About this year’s edition

Following a competitive open call last year, five young dance artists were selected to take part in this year’s edition.

Ghaliah Conroy, Fionnuala Doyle Wade, Saoirse Lambkin O’Kane, Ben Sullivan and Jessie Thompson are spending six weeks working together at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance and at Dance Limerick, developing new exciting work with choreographer Maria Nilsson Waller.  

Meet Fionnuala Doyle Wade, one of this years amazing #stepup participants

Fionnuala has most recently worked with Laura Murphy, Minte Wolde, and Phillip Doherty and Eoin MacDonncha, and is a 2023 Druid Theatre FUEL artist.

Learn more about Fionnuala https://t.co/rL6mw3hqSt pic.twitter.com/vDsT2R2S1Y

— Dance Limerick (@DanceLimerick) July 4, 2023

This year’s edition is curated by renowned dance artist Fearghus Ó Conchúir, who was appointed as artistic curator in 2022.

With a focus on celebrating differences and supporting each other throughout the process, Fearghus’ vision is for a project that allows for dancers to explore their most honest creative selves.

Wexford-based independent dance artist Lucia Kickham takes the role of rehearsals director for the second consecutive year.

Together with guest artists Finola Cronin, Deirdre Griffin, Mary Nunan, Mufutau Yusuf and Justine Cooper, she will lead an intensive programme of classes and creative workshops that will focus on widening horizons and exploring new ways of performing together.

For six weeks, the dancers and team will work on the creation of a new piece to be premiered at Dance Limerick on August 2.

‘Riverine’ by Nilsson Waller will explore the concept and realities of rivers. Drawing on the vital importance of the river Shannon for the city of Limerick, Maria casts a wider net that examines the idea of flow, of a stream that washes away what does not serve us anymore to bring back joy into our bodies.  

Maria is a freelance dance artist and choreographer who also designs sound, set and costume. With work described as pure emotion, mesmerising and profound she repeatedly draws our attention to our relationship to nature and the environment, to our relationship with the wild, our own bodies and natural intelligence, examining the borders between the known and unknown, science versus faith and mythology.

‘"As a choreographer, being commissioned to make work is a life dream come true. (…) I have never made a piece for five virtual strangers before and I have never made a piece with such an open, unwritten approach in myself. To get to work uninterrupted for six weeks in beautiful studios and with amazing young, talented, highly trained dancers. What a precious time! (…) Thank you Step Up and Dance Limerick for creating a space where unpredictable things can happen!

Keep an eye on dancelimerick.ie for more details, or join the mailing list by clicking here.

Tickets for the performances at the Dance Limerick performance space (St John's Church) are available at dancelimerick.ie.

The performances will take place at 7.30pm on August 2 and August 3.

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