Call out for young dance artists
8 June 2019Chameleon Youth is recruiting!
Chameleon Youth, Manchester’s youth dance company, is calling out for new members for 2019/20. If you’re age 11 to 21, this is an incredible opportunity to be part of a youth dance company that is inspiring and different to the mainstream.
Ahead of the FREE Taster Sessions (22 & 24 June) and the Open Audition (13 July), we catch up with Sam Broadbent, our Learning & Participation Officer, to tell us more.
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Hi Sam! Chameleon Youth is now three years old, tell us about the youth company’s development so far.
The last year has been incredible as it saw Chameleon Youth double in numbers and the group have more performance opportunities than ever before. Both the Juniors and Seniors had opportunity throughout the year to work with Kevin and Anthony, our Co-Artistic Directors, our Company Dancers, Juliana and Theo as well as our Apprentices and Associate Artists.
The group were invited to perform at a number of prestigious platforms including U. Dance at The Lowry and the Yorkshire Youth Dance Platform at Phoenix Dance Theatre.
In the last year, we have expanded our age bracket to be able to support dancers up to the age of 21, further demonstrating our commitment to supporting and developing the next generation of dance artists in the region.
Our senior cohort also had the opportunity to share their work with our new patron Dame Darcey Bussell, who watched them in class and offered them direct feedback.
This summer Chameleon Youth will perform in front of over 10,000 people at the Manchester Day Parade and as part of the opening ceremony for the World Taekwondo Championships at Manchester Arena.
All in all, it’s an exciting time for the youth company. Our programme of activity puts Chameleon Youth on the map as one of the regions’ flagship youth dance initiatives and reinforces our position as the only youth dance company in Manchester to be part of a professional dance company.
What have been your personal Chameleon Youth highlights so far?
For me it has to be seeing Chameleon Youth perform alongside the professional company and being fully integrated into the production of Illuminate at Manchester Central Library. Our biggest production to date, Illuminate was a site-specific piece of dance, which sold out and received glowing reviews and audience feedback.
The experience allowed the youth company to feel completely connected to the professional arm of the company and perform a piece of original choreography created by Anthony Missen to an original score.
From the rehearsal process and dress rehearsal to the performance itself, the experience gave everyone involved invaluable insight into life as a professional dancer.
Later this year, with our new cohort, I am hoping we will create a similarly beneficial experience for Chameleon Youth as they create and perform the curtain raiser at the world premiere of Chameleon’s sixteenth new theatre production,The Shadow.
Why should young people join us for a Taster Session?
The Tasters are a sure-fire way of experiencing what Chameleon Youth has to offer: to experience a flavour of Chameleon’s unique movement style, our creative approach and to also meet the team. Plus, it’s a free opportunity!
Whether you’re new to dance or you have tons of experience, Chameleon Youth has something unique to offer. Our nurturing and supportive working environment encourages young people to find their creative voice through dance and movement. Additionally, one of the reasons Chameleon Youth is unique is that the company is part of a professional dance company, which means you’re taught by professionals with substantial experience of performing worldwide and working in the national and international dance sector.
Through Chameleon Youth, we pass on this knowledge and experience to create a unique youth dance offer. If you come along to the Tasters, we will tell you more about how this influences and informs our approach.
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WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
Book on a FREE TASTER SESSION
At STUN Studio, Z-arts
Sat 22 Jun, 11am-1pm | Juniors Taster Session, age 11-16 – book here.
Sat 22 Jun, 2-4pm | Seniors Taster Session, age 16-21 – book here.
Mon 24 Jun, 6-8pm | Open Taster Session, age 11 – 21 – book here.
Book on the 2019-20 OPEN AUDITION
At STUN Studio, Z-arts
Sat 13 Jul, 11am -1pm | Juniors Audition – book here.
Sat 13 Jul, 2-4pm | Seniors Audition – book here.
If you are successful at the Chameleon Youth audition you will be given a place in the 2019/20 cohort. Chameleon Youth runs from August 2019 to July 2020 and involves a commitment of weekly training on Monday evenings, creative intensives on selected weekends plus additional performance opportunities throughout the year.
Demonstrating our ongoing investment and commitment to supporting young dancers in training, costs are heavily subsidised by the company making the yearly offer only £100 per member, which can be paid in two £50 instalments.