New commissions for hip hop dance works for children
We believe that dance artists should be supported to create work for children that is equal to work created for adults, in terms of its rigour, quality and diversity. Our Little Big Dance programme is one of the ways we’re pioneering this approach.
In recognition of the fact that there is very little work for children that features hip hop, we’ve teamed up with artist-led initiative Artists 4 Artists, The Place, Yorkshire Dance, and DanceEast to commission two new hip hop dance works for young audiences.
Selected after a national open call, artists Ella Mesma and Brooke Milliner will be creating new works over the coming months.
Ella Mesma is a dance artist, choreographer and the Artistic Director of Ella Mesma Dance Company, who have previously been commissioned to create work by Sadlers Wells, The National Centre for Circus and Dance City.
Brooke Milliner is the choreographer and lead dancer of 2 X Hip Hop International crew champions PLAGUE and a member of FUNKSTYLERZ, Fiya House and Prototype crews. Brooke has appeared on BBC’s Young Dancer programme as a judge and hip hop mentor.
Cath James, South East Dance’s Artistic Director, says: “Hip hop is a dance form that’s massively underrepresented in children’s theatre and dance and we want to change that. I can’t wait to see what Ella and Brooke will create and bring to the stage.”
We’ll be sharing news on these new commissions as they develop. Watch this space.
Little Big Dance
A national initiative changing the face of dance work for younger audiences