Inspiring Women in Dance at Sadler’s Wells theatre

The Inspiring Women Campaign teamed up with English National Ballet and Sadler’s Wells theatre to show girls in state schools and colleges the range of careers in the dance sector. 100 girls aged 13 – 18 did ‘career speed networking’ at Sadler’s Wells with women working in different jobs across the dance sector. The aim was to broaden their horizons about the large array of employment opportunities in the sector.

For centuries women have been the face of dance on the stage but there are numerous other jobs to which they can aspire in the sector. Surprisingly, women have been notably absent in certain key roles such as choreography. To help combat this, English National Ballet’s highly anticipated new triple bill dedicated to female choreography, ‘She Said’ premieres at London’s Sadler’s Wells from Wednesday 13 – Saturday 16 April 2016. ‘She Said’ features new works created by world-class dance makers, Aszure Barton, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Yabin Wang.

Artistic Director of English National Ballet, Tamara Rojo said: “I am thrilled that the Inspiring Women Campaign is holding its first ever event for dance. For these young female students to have access to so many powerful women in dance, from choreographers and artists, to producers and costume designers, is such an incredible opportunity. I hope it helps them to dream big, and think of our art form, with the range of careers it has to offer, as a real possibility for them.”

Arlene Phillips CBE, choreographer, theatre director, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judge and TV presenter, says: “There are many opportunities for working in the dance industry – not just as a performer but whether as a lighting designer, creating projections, marketing manager or choreographer – but it can be hard to find out about them and some young people may find the veneer of glitz and glamour wouldn’t be their choice of career. Inspiring Women Campaign events are the perfect opportunity for women who work not only in the high profile side of the business but in some of the lesser known spheres to share their experience with girls in state schools. It’s an industry which has lots of female talent and hopefully this event will be both inspiring and useful for the girls considering career options and how to crack into them.”

Miriam González Durántez, Inspiring Women Campaign Champion, said: “Some of the best female dancers started in the UK. And, though they are just a few, some of the most iconic female choreographers in the world also come from the UK. The Inspiring Women in Dance event is an opportunity to showcase that talent and to show to young girls all the different options they have if they wish to develop a career in dance. Working with the English National Ballet to put together this event has been inspirational and I hope that Inspiring Women and the English National Ballet keep working together in the future”.

Career speed networking participants:

Pippa Adamson – Director of Finance, English National Ballet

Avatâra Ayuso, Choreographer

Lia Buddle – Artistic Assistant, English National Ballet

Fleur Derbyshire-Fox – Engagement Director, English National Ballet

Malgorzata Dzierzon – Dance Artist and Producer

Nicky Ellis – Osteopath, Contemporary Dance Teacher & Choreographer

Laura Harvey –Associate Artist, English

National BalletJane Hackett – Artistic Programmer and Producer – Creative Learning, Sadler’s Wells

Amber Hunt – Dancer, English National BalletSusan Kulkarni – Costume Designer

Bim Malcomson – Choreographer, Teacher & MentorBritannia Morton – Chief

Operating Officer, Sadler’s WellsArike Oke – Archivist, RambertTamara Rojo – Artistic

Director, English National BalletLouise Shand-Brown – Producer, English National

BalletGitta Wigro – Co-Director at Independent Dance, and freelance Dance Film Programmer

Emma Wilson – Director of Technical and Production, Sadler’s Wells Theatre