Hofesh Shechter Company, who will present the much anticipated, very first performance in our new home on First Street from 30 April – 2 May, have announced their new company Shechter Junior – an apprentice programme for talented, young dancers aged between 18-25.
Over 1,000 dancers auditioned for Shechter Junior and the final eight, drawn from all over the world, represent the very best of the next generation of contemporary dancers. They are Carl Crochet (France), Maja Grethe Naomi Furnes (Norway/Japan), Kenny Wing Tao Ho (UK), Anne-Charlotte Hubert (France), Max Makowski (Germany), Ayelet Nadav (Israel), Anna Stamp Møller (Denmark), and Oska Lake Thomas (UK) – and all of them will perform here with us in Manchester.
Shechter Junior is driven by Hofesh Shechter and his company’s commitment to nurturing young artists and creating opportunities for them to gain professional experience in a financially challenged arts scene. The dancers will be mentored by long-standing HSC members, have access to world-renowned venues and the stability of an apprentice salary, and all self-funded by HSC through international touring and other partnerships.
Hofesh explains: “Since we started taking younger dancers into the Company, I’ve been overwhelmed by the appetite and competition for the very few places we are able to offer. Each year during the auditions I’ve felt increasingly inspired and impressed by the incredible skill and talent that is out there and increasingly frustrated by the lack of opportunities available to them.
“It is an honour to work with more of these young dancers, to bring them into the company, pay them, train them to become the dancers they have the potential to be, and in turn enjoy and benefit from their immense drive and intense energy.”
During their eight-month apprenticeship, the dancers will work with Shechter on the creation of a new piece and perform alongside HSC in Hofesh Shechter & Friends here at HOME, before they make their world debut in Paris between Mon 4 – Wed 20 May, with a performance of deGeneration at Theatre des Abbesses, marking the start of a European tour.
Joining the young Company for the seven-week creation period is Botis Seva from East London. With no formal training, Seva has already choreographed pieces showcased at The Place and Sadler’s Wells, worked with the acclaimed theatre company Punchdrunk, and is being mentored by Hofesh during 2015.
We are delighted to be welcoming critically acclaimed Hofesh Shechter Company at HOME, ahead of our warming weekend which will kick off on Thu 21 May. Expect world-class contemporary dance, music from songwriter Joel Harries who has regularly played live with the Company around the world and performing a live gig as part of three-piece instrumental group 72% Morrissey, and a first-night-only post-show DJ set from talented Hofesh Shechter Company dancer Maëva Berthelot closing out the night.
Book your tickets here.