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The south east is starting to be recognised as one the leading regions for young people’s choreography, with many of its young choreographers being selected for Youth Dance England's (YDE) Young Creatives programme.
In 2010 Hampshire Dance, with support from YDE and The Point, Eastleigh, decided to celebrate the young choreographic talent in the south east by providing the opportunity for a young choreographer to create a piece of work for a professional dance company, Udifydance Company.
18 year old Oliver Gratton was selected from 18 applicants for the project. Oliver spent eight full days with the company creating the new piece in the creation space at The Point, Eastleigh. Helen Parlor, former dancer with Motionhouse, mentored Oliver to support him through the creative process.
The new piece, Out From Out Where, was performed at a premiere at The Point, Eastleigh and was toured as part of Udify's repertoire in venues in London, the south east and south west.
Lucy Frazer, Director of Hampshire Dance says,
‘Despite being just 18, Oliver has approached this project from start to finish with professionalism and dedication and I think this is clear to see in the end product. I suspect that Oliver has a very bright future in dance and I’d like to congratulate him on what he has achieved.
This project has been particularly exciting for Hampshire Dance because it illustrates not just our own core values but also those of Youth Dance England: if you provide young people with the right conditions, and are willing to trust in their creativity, then they will always exceed your expectations. And that is why work of this kind is so important.’
You can watch the film on the Hampshire Dance YouTube Channel or subscribe to our iTunes Dance Video Podcast and download the film to your computer or iPhone.
Applications are now closed for YDE Young Creatives 2012. Stay tuned to find out which lucky young choreographers from the south east have been selected to take part in this unique opportunity.
YDE Young Creatives 2012 is run by Youth Dance England in partnership with The Royal Ballet School and Royal Opera House.
Read our interview with Joe Bovis, young choreographer from Folkstone who was selected for Youth Dance England's Young Creatives programme in 2011
South East Young Creatives take the stage (Feb 2011)