Q&A with Clare Brennan
28 July 2019This month, we’re delighted to welcome Clare Brennan to the Chameleon team. Clare has worked in the dance sector for many years and joins us from Dance Manchester, where she was Project Co-ordinator. Clare’s new role at Chameleon is to develop our new Greater Manchester dance programme. Here, we introduce Clare and find out more about her.
Tell us about your new role at Chameleon.
We are offering a free performance of Push or Amaranthine and a practical workshop to each of the 10 Greater Manchester boroughs – this could take place in a park, shopping centre… pretty much any public space where the general public can get a chance to watch. My role will also include supporting Greater Manchester emerging artists that Dance Manchester had previously commissioned.
Tell us about your background and experience in the dance sector.
In almost 25 years I have built up a huge wealth of knowledge of the GM dance sector, history, events, artists, companies and networks. Looking back you can really see how much the GM network for dance has changed shape and is ever growing. I am really lucky to have had the immense opportunities to project manage dance in so many different settings from large outdoor dance festivals, iconic venues & theatre’s to canal tow paths and everything in between!
What is the most memorable dance performance you’ve ever seen and why?
That’s a tricky one I have a number of favourite moments and all for different reasons. I think for sheer wow factor it has to be Amour Diesel by Sol Pico. It was one of my earlier experiences of seeing how spectacular outdoor dance could be and the endless possibilities it offers. 3 girls and 3 diggers dancing together just blew me away!
What is the most memorable dance project you’ve ever worked on and why?
STRIDE boys project – all nine years have all been very memorable but in particular the year they performed at Castlefield. It was such an amazing experience creating and performing in such visually interesting and challenging outdoor spaces with a huge group of boys from across Greater Manchester. The cohort from this year in particular were from so many different social backgrounds and age groups, they were totally inspired by Kevin and Anthony, they bonded and became one amazing team of young lads.
What are you looking forward to most in your new role at Chameleon?
This is such an exciting role it is a perfect combination of working for Chameleon, a company that I am proud to have seen grow over the past ten years and to continue the remit of Dance Manchester, to bring dance to GM communities and to nurture and support emerging GM artists that I had already begun to build relationships with.
If you’d like to find out more about our Greater Manchester dance programme, you can get in touch with Clare at clare@companychameleon.com
Picture credit: Josh Hawkins