Welcoming our RAPPORT 2024 Artists to The Dance Space
We are very excited to welcome Australian artists Eliza Cooper and Mitchell Christie to The Dance Space this summer to take part in a residency from 24 June - 12 July as part of our International residency programme, RAPPORT, in partnership with Dance Makers Collective (Sydney).
Eliza and Mitchell will be studying and collaborating with local dance artists. Eliza is particularly interested in meeting and working with traditional clog, morris and jig dancers; and Mitchell is interested in collaborating with inclusive practitioners.
If you are a dance artist with an interest in any of these areas and would like to take part in a creative exchange with Eliza and/or Mitchell as part of their residencies, please get in touch with Programme Producer, Linzi Whitton at: linzi.whitton@southeastdance.org.uk
Eliza and Mitchell will also be leading Professional Contemporary Class whilst they are in residence. Find more info here: Professional Training: Dance Makers Collective | South East Dance.
Carl Scibberas, Dance Makers Collective Founding Member, Board Member and General Manager, is also delivering a short skills development programme for local producers, entitled Make it Happen, on 3, 8 and 10 July. Find out more here: https://southeastdance.org.uk/whats_on/make-it-happen-24/
Eliza Cooper (She/her)
Eliza is a dancer, choreographer and costume designer working in Australia independently and with organisations including Dance Makers Collective, Sydney Dance Company, Opera Australia and Pepa Molina’s Las Flamenkas. Recently, Eliza choreographed Revenge Tales and Romance for Sydney Dance Company’s New Breed (2023) and Truth and Consequence for Dance Makers Collective’s Echoes (2024). She attended ImPulsTanz (Vienna AT) in the ATLAS choreographic program undertaking a choreographic residency to develop her major solo Snake Battle. Eliza is a flamenco practitioner with a deep and continuing interest in rhythmic, footwork-orientated dances.
Eliza's major choreographic works include Bat Lake (2022), Play (SDC Youth Ensemble 2022), Old Life/ Dead Life (2019) and Salome (Ensemble Apex 2018). She designed costumes for James Bachelor’s Occasions (SDC Pre-Professional Year 2021), Emma Harrison’s Wolverine (Dance Makers Collective/ Sydney Festival 2024) and many of her own works.
Mitchell Christie (He/him)
Mitchell Christie is a freelance dancer, creator and educator. Growing up in Dharawal Country (Australia’s east coast) he received his early training between Sydney and Melbourne. In 2013 Mitchell moved to New York to continue his dance education at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance, receiving his BFA in 2017. Mitchell has performed professionally across the US, Canada and Australia with various independent artists and project-based companies. He recently joined the Artistic Directorate of Dance Makers Collective (DMC), based in Dharug Country, Western Sydney. DMC is the only collective-led dance organisation in Australia, renowned for their transformative programming and projects engaging community. Mitchell is a passionate activist and advocate for accessible art for all people. He also enjoys a good coffee and being near the ocean.
Biographies and class descriptions provided by the artists.