New Adventures

MORE INFORMATION & AWARD CRITERIA

New Adventures Choreographer Award

(NACA)

Showcase performance took place on Friday September 7, 2012 at Sadler's Wells.

The award was created by colleagues and friends in celebration of Matthew Bourne’s 50th birthday last year, and to also honour both the work and achievements of Matthew and his company New Adventures within dance and musical theatre.

Within 48 hours of sending out an email regarding the establishment of this award to colleagues, friends and former New Adventures artists, almost £15,000 was pledged by over 120 people. This gift represents the gratitude as artists, audience members, friends and fans of Matthew Bourne, and gives the next generation of choreographers the opportunity to work with Matthew and experience the unique New Adventures success story.

The award will be presented bi-annually so that the legacy that Matthew has created in the theatre will continue to inspire new choreographers and ultimately the creation of vibrant and exciting dance and theatre.

The recipient of this award will be granted the money to work on their choreographic skills over a period of 12 months. Throughout the year, the recipient will have the chance to be mentored by Matthew and other New Adventures associate artists to research and develop a programme of work with a company of New Adventures dancers. In addition, they will receive advice and support from the management and administrative staff at New Adventures and Re:Bourne, including creating and managing budgets, marketing and general management. A showcase performance of the created programme of work will be the culmination of the award, to which leading industry figures will be invited.

There is no age limit to applicants and all styles of dance are eligible

Matthew Bourne said at the launch of the award -

“CHOREOGRAPHY IS THE HARDEST FIELD OF THE ARTS TO GET YOUR WORK SEEN OR NOTICED. IT REQUIRES SPACE, DANCERS AND OTHER EXPENSIVE RESOURCES. SOMETIMES THESE RESOURCES DO NOT MATCH THE CREATIVE VISION OF A CHOREOGRAPHER, AND THAT VISION MAY NEVER BE REALISED. THIS IS NOT THE CASE FOR ASPIRING WRITERS, COMPOSERS OR SOME VISUAL ARTISTS, WHO CAN WORK ALONE WITH THE MINIMUM OF COSTS. I FEAR THAT MANY TALENTED CHOREOGRAPHERS ARE LOST TO US THROUGH LACK OF OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS AND GET THEIR WORK SEEN. I HOPE THAT THE NEW ADVENTURES CHOREOGRAPHER AWARD WILL GO SOME SMALL WAY TO RECTIFYING THAT FOR ONE TALENTED INDIVIDUAL EVERY TWO YEARS. I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT ENCOURAGING THE NEXT GENERATION OF DANCERS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS AND I WILL BE SEEKING SOMEONE WHO HAS A SIMILAR PASSION TO COMMUNICATE AND ENTERTAIN THROUGH MOVEMENT. MY FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES COULD NOT HAVE GIVEN ME A MORE FITTING BIRTHDAY PRESENT, WHICH WILL HOPEFULLY HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON THE WORLD OF DANCE AND THEATRE”.

The winner of the first award, JAMES COUSINS, and Runner -Up, TOM JACKSON GREAVES were announced in August 2011.

BBC News
‘Matthew Bourne reveals New Adventures prize winner’
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14662168
Friday 26 August 2011

Whatsonstage
‘Bourne Announces First Winner of Choreographer Award’
http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831314374039/Bourne+Announces+First+Winner+of+Choreographer+Award.html
Friday 26 August 2011

The Stage
‘James Cousins wins first New Adventures Choreographer Award’
http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/33322/james-cousins-wins-first-new-adventures
Friday 26 August 2011