Passage for Par by Rosemary Lee Par Sands Beach, Cornwall 2018. Commissioned by CAST for Groundwork, Photo: © Steve Tanner
CALL OUT for dance artists based in Scotland //
Gather Together Here
Workshops with Rosemary Lee
Tue 21 September (Dundee) or
Sat 25 & Sun 26 September (Findhorn) 2021
A paid professional development opportunity for dance artists based in Scotland to attend a one or two-day workshop with choreographer/film-maker Rosemary Lee.
These workshops are a rare opportunity for dance practitioners not only to have time to individually reconnect with the fundamentals of their movement practice but also to connect and get to know each other.
“I want to facilitate informal, unpressured workshops, gathering together to focus on our commonality, celebrate our differences and find affirmation in our shared love of moving.
“I have no answers in the midst of these uncertain times but in being outdoors together I believe we can restore and replenish ourselves in simple ways. I hope in our exploring and sharing we will strengthen our awareness of ourselves as nature, and find a sense of being “at home” in whatever way that sense manifests itself.” Rosemary Lee
Rosemary is hoping to mount her project Circadian in the region in 2022. Involving 29 soloists of all ages including Scottish Dance Theatre dancers and guest performers from across Scotland, the project is planned to take place in Findhorn and Dundee.
Paving the way towards this, she will be in Scotland this September meeting dance artists, visiting sites and offering dance practitioners this series workshops.
Option 1
Hosted by Scottish Dance Theatre | Dundee
Tuesday 21 September | 11am – 6pm
This workshop will involve the Scottish Dance Theatre dancers plus 6 Independent dance artists. Taking place in a woodland area local to Dundee, Rosemary will lead the participants through somatic tasks connected to the environment, facilitating times to move, explore, reflect and connect with each other through the day.
Option 2
Hosted by Dance North | Findhorn
Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 September | 11am- 6pm Sat | 10am-5pm Sun
This workshop is open to 8 independent dance practitioners. Taking place in the environs of Findhorn, Rosemary will lead the participants through walks, movement tasks and times of reflection, questions and discussion. The two days will focus on what a sense of place might mean and on exploring movement in connection with and as part of nature. There will be time to hear more about both Rosemary’s and each other’s practice and there will the option of a shared meal together on the evening of 25 September.
You may apply to join one or other of the workshops not both.
What we can provide
- A fee – Option 1: Dundee – £150 for 1 day workshop
– Option 2: Findhorn – £300 for 2 day workshop - Contribution to travel if required (up to £80)
- Contribution to overnight accommodation if required
- Access support if required
What you need to arrange
- Your own travel and accommodation (SDT/DN can offer suggestions of local hotels /B& B’s etc)
Who can apply
Scotland-based dance practitioners, be they makers, performers or teachers.
We are keen to encourage a diverse representation of participants of all ages and especially welcome applications coming from working those who identify as having characteristics currently under-represented in our sector.
Artists are invited to identify if they are part of these communities on their application and this will be considered during the decision-making process as the places are allocated.
Please note this opportunity is not open to students and those currently in dance training.
How to Apply
Given the quick turnaround, we are aiming to simplify the application process as much as possible.
Please send the following details* by 10.00am Wednesday 8 September to rosemarylee@artsadmin.co.uk
*Responses can be written or alternatively could be made as an audio or video recording (no longer than 5mins in length).
Please include
- Name & contact details
- CV/biog and short description of your practice – please include
- where your work is based (no more than one side of A4)
- Why you want to take part in this opportunity (approx 300 words)
- Which workshop you would like to attend (Option 1 or Option 2)
- If you are available to attend either please indicate your first choice.
- Access requirements
Please bear in mind that the workshops will be taking place outside for most of the day in a semi-rural context on uneven ground and with limited access to public facilities such as toilets and in variable weather conditions. We have an access budget to support participants with reasonable adjustments such as a personal assistant or BSL interpretation
How we will select Participants
A panel comprising of choreographer Rosemary Lee, a representative from Dance North Scotland, Joan Clevillé (Artistic Director, Scottish Dance Theatre) and a guest artist will be reviewing the expressions of interest and drawing up a shortlist of 14 participants who will be invited to join the workshops (6 for Dundee and 8 for Findhorn) based on the following criteria:
- The information provided in the expression of interest
- How this opportunity will contribute to the development of the artist’s practice
- The geographic spread of artists across Scotland
- The diversity of voices and lived experiences represented
We are keen to include participants across different ages and with a range of experience so that the make-up of each workshop enables participants to meet Scottish dance artists they might otherwise not cross paths with. We are looking for practitioners who are open, curious, and keen to meet other practitioners.
When you will hear back from us
We will reply to everyone by email by end of day on Friday 10 September 2021
This series of workshops have been developed by Rosemary Lee in partnership with Dance North and Scottish Dance Theatre supported by Creative Scotland’s Open Fund.
About Rosemary Lee
Rosemary will be bringing her extensive experience of making live performances and films with inter-generational casts of professional and non-professional dancers.
Over the past 10 years many of these works have been that inspired by both outdoor urban and rural locations including: Square Dances (Dance Umbrella) involving 150 performers in four London squares, Under the Vaulted Sky – a promenade work for 80 participants in a cathedral of trees for Milton Keynes International Festival, Liquid Gold is the Air (created with Roswitha Chesher) – an award winning video installation touring cathedrals and galleries, Without, a seven-screen video installation capturing a panoramic view of the city of Derry/Londonderry as hundreds of participants move through the streets, Calling Tree (co-directed with Simon Whitehead) which takes place in the canopies of urban trees, and Passage for Par (Groundwork, Cornwall) a durational work for 30 women slowly crossing tidal sands. Her most recent work Circadian was commissioned by First Light Festival and DanceEast which was then adapted for an indoor space commissioned by Zfin Malta and renamed Threaded Fine.
Rosemary is known for her supportive nurturing of other professionals in workshops, allowing them to extract themselves from the pressures of delivering work and to reconnect and refresh their practice. More details here