Asian Performance and Diaspora Working Group

TaPRA

The aim of this working group is to research, promote and disseminate contemporary Asian performance and diaspora studies to highlight the historical and contemporary scholarship in the area. We also aim to encourage critical debates on the contemporary artistic practices of Asia and a thorough re-evaluation of the current understanding of its conceptual and practical  paradigms of the Asian performance scene and its diaspora in Britain.

A significant number of academics across the UK engage in the Asian performance and diaspora research producing a large body of scholarly work in this trajectory.  A number of UK universities offer MA courses (SOAS, Goldsmith, Royal Holloway, Surrey, Guildford, UEA, Essex, East London, Lincoln, Exeter, Glasgow) as well as undergraduate courses with an Asian specific focus. Students across the world visit UK for their postgraduate research too. Nevertheless, there is a historical lack of academic research, critical writing and wider recognition of the field. More needs to be done to bring better ‘visibility’ for the Asian performance and diaspora research within the UK. Indeed, there are emerging research networks on Asian performance and diaspora research such as Lincoln and Manchester as well as London or Birmingham. But, it is not at all customary to find consistent recurrences of Asian specific conferences/scholarly events in the UK and venues are limited for colleagues involved in Asian performance and diaspora research to present their work. Similarly, there are limited venues for publishing Asian material, and especially so in journals. Academics involved in Asian performance and diaspora research, therefore, need regular, dedicated platform for presenting their research developing networks and facilitating collaborations, and the proposed TaPRA working group is a highly appropriate vehicle for doing so.

The proposed Asian Performance and Diaspora working group will welcome academics, practitioners, post-graduate and research students – both national and international – in the areas of Performance / Theatre / Dance/ Cultural Studies / Postcolonial Studies / Diaspora Studies / Drama / Dramaturgy.

Aims 

• To offer a dedicated platform for presenting Asian performance and diaspora research
• To reflect, critique and debate Asian performance activities in Britain
• To foster better dialogue between the academic work and performance practice on the field.

We will be holding the very first informal meeting for the group on 9^th September at the lunch time, during the TaPRA conference at Worcester. Venue to be announced soon. The aim of this informal meeting is to gather a sense of interest in this research group from colleagues, practitioners and post-graduate students. Please visit our blog on asianperformanceanddiaspora.wordpress.com or email us at apdtapra@gmail.com to register your expression of interest.

Interviews: 15^th-17^th July 2015

Posts in Dance

1 x 0.8 FTE TEACHING FELLOW DANCE PRACTICE

– fixed term, year-long, October-July 2016

https://jobs.surrey.ac.uk/039315

1 x 1.0 FTE (or 2 x 0.5) TEACHING FELLOW A IN CONTEMPORARY DANCE

– fixed term, Semester 1 only, October-February 2016

https://jobs.surrey.ac.uk/040315

Posts at GSA

Permanent posts

2 x 0.5 Teaching Fellows in Musical Theatre

http://jobs.surrey.ac.uk/038815

1 x 0.8 Teaching Fellow in Contemporary Performance

http://jobs.surrey.ac.uk/038915

1 x 0.5 Teaching Fellow in Sound

https://jobs.surrey.ac.uk/038615

Temporary posts

1 x 1.0 Temporary Teaching Fellow in Theatre Practice

– Semester 1 only, October-February 2016)

http://jobs.surrey.ac.uk/039415

1 x 1.0 Temporary Teaching Fellow in Acting/Musical Theatre

– Semester 1 only, October-February 2016)

http://jobs.surrey.ac.uk/039515

Individual contributions are invited that articulate and explore choreographic practices from a diverse range of perspectives. We are especially interested in receiving critical/creative practice-led research that is interdisciplinary and experimental in nature.

If you would like to submit an article to Choreographic Practices please see: http://www.intellectbooks.co.uk/journals/view-Journal,id=170/view,page=2/

We also invite proposals for future special issue topics from guest editors that fall within the aims and scope of Choreographic Practices. Please contact Vida L Midgelow and Jane Bacon (Editors) at: choreographicpractices@live.co.uk

University of Surrey

£30,434 to £37,394 per annum pro rata (0.8 FTE)

Post Type:  Part Time
Closing Date:  Sunday 05 July 2015
Interview Date:  Wednesday 15 July 2015
Reference:  039315

https://jobs.surrey.ac.uk/vacancy.aspx?ref=039315

The University of Surrey is a top 10 UK University (4th in the Guardian University Guide 2015; with Drama & Dance in the top 5). It is a global university with a world-class research profile and an enterprising spirit. Almost 30 years ago, Surrey was the first university to set up an academic Dance department. Since then, we have continued to build on our reputation as an internationally leading centre for Dance research. As a new colleague in Dance you will join a team of world-leading international experts whose research include contemporary European dance and dance theatre, cross-cultural dance performance and globalisation, African and South Asian dance, dance in popular culture and film, dance dramaturgy, movement analysis and choreography. Dance sits within the vibrant creative environment of the University of Surrey School of Arts, which also includes theatre, film and music, as well as the Guildford School of Acting (GSA) and the Digital World Research Centre.
We are seeking to appoint a part-time Teaching Fellow within Dance on a fixed term contract for one academic year (until July 2016) to oversee and lead the delivery of contemporary dance practices and choreography on the BA Dance programme. As a dynamic teacher and practitioner, you will contribute to the ongoing development of dance practice and scholarship at Surrey; the engagement of dance with other disciplines, notably theatre and digital media (including screen) arts; and collaboration with appropriate external partners (StopGap Dance Company) with a view to sustaining and enhancing Surrey’s authority in this field.
You will have experience of working with students/learners, and specialist skills in choreography and the facilitation and teaching of dance practice. Experience in directing, project management, arts production/programming and academic administration will be highly valued. It is anticipated that you will convene all modules in the Contemporary Dance modules of the BA Dance programme (BA Dance level 4-5 and BA Dance & Culture levels 6), and contribute to selected Choreography modules across levels 5-7. You may also contribute to the Dance pathway of MA Performance Practice and Research. You will coordinate the Dance performance programme (includes liaison with and [with HR] contracting and monitoring of associate tutors in performance practice, timetabling, oversight of production budget). You will work alongside colleagues in the Dance section and more widely in the School of Arts. You will contribute to academic management within the School of Arts, and provide relevant perspectives on learning & teaching practices, and contemporary fields of performance/production and scholarship.
For an informal discussion in relation to any of the roles above you may wish to contact Dr. Laura Cull (l.cull@surrey.ac.uk), Head of the Department of Theatre and Dance.
To submit an application, please apply online at www.surrey.ac.uk/jobs and include a CV and covering letter.

Beginning at 7.30pm, the talk will be followed by a short Q&A and book signing at the end of the evening. The ticket price of £15 includes a glass of wine and the chance to buy a signed copy of the book (£10 for RAD members and £5 for students). To book your place, visit www.rad.org.uk/zoe-anderson

Cute, no? Problems, that’s those six-legged thingies at the beginning of changes, right? Well, then we are all perfectly home here.

Writer Astrid Kaminski also mentions something spot-on in her project description: “dance criticism just never really landed on all four in the daily press. It is too late to change that now.“ And here she goes and changes it. Suggests a Field Project in which dance is eyed via poetry and illustration. And then shared back via festival blog. You are very welcome to join: http://www.impulstanz.com/en/research/2015/id2878/

Generally, quite a few workshop lead to presentations within ImPulsTanz 2015 this time around. Research goes limelight, sort of. Philippe Riéra/Superamas and his group will move into Vienna’s Weltmuseum in order to give “History of Violence”, Christine Gaigg and her “Charged Documents” participants will react on the grand Vienna Actionism and International Performance exhibition at mumok, und also “The Substance, the Internet, the Planet“ (Mårten Spångberg) and “Something that says something” (Charmaine LeBlanc & Angelique Willkie) will lead to a showing. So, if a stage appearance within this festival is somehow appealing to you, confide yourself relentlessly hereto: http://www.impulstanz.com/en/research/2015/general/

Or as Björk puts it: “When in doubt, do more things“

You, who you rather watchest, need not to get bored, either: a good hundred performances are planned already, and still more to come: the partially intimate settings in the various museums (the one of World, the one of modern art, and the one of the 21st century) enable sparkling vicinity to both the visual and the performing arts, said proximity is causing inclinations with not so few audiences, which leads to add-on performances…what shall I say: a darling vicious circle. Here’s a first glimpse: http://www.impulstanz.com/en/performances/2015/programme/

“I had to. And you, you had so to, too.” (Veza Fernandez)

All of the above, plus the regularly updated lounge and party program (over here also sheepishly referred to as “soçial“ and slowly becoming a music festival of its own), is meanwhile also inherent to the just off the back end ImPulsTanz 2015 app, which smartphonettes of both camps can download as of now. In addition to all the dates, calendar export and news regarding add-on performances and workshops, , the app also features geographic assistance, lists of favourites, and of course various kinds of modes of interaction. Otherwise we learn no nothing here, right? http://www.impulstanz.com/en/shop/

“Be nice to nerds. Chances are you’ll end up working for one.” (Bill Gates)

And should you still look for how to fill the void between now and ImPulsTanz…go Camping! Only shortly after adorable Mathilde Monnier moved into CND (Centre National de la Danse Paris), she made sure, CND is also moving out of itself (to Chaillot, Vanves, Le Dynamo a.o.) and created a workshop festival feat. Vera Mantero, Simone Forti, Robyn Orlin, Eszter Salamon and other humans we envy them for. Starting now! http://camping.cnd.fr/camping2015

“The best way out is always through” (Bob Frost)

JUICE

Assistant Head of Dance

Assistant Head of Musical Theatre

Librarian and Study Skills Support

Please email jobs@theurdangacademy.com to request an application pack.

Urdang Academy is a full-time vocational college offering a BA(Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre, a 3 year Trinity Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre or Dance and a 1 year Foundation Course.

More information on the academy can be found via the website: www.theurdangacademy.com

Chisenhale Dance Space (CDS) is the home for risk and experimentation in dance and performance.

Situated in Tower Hamlets for over 30 years, CDS offers an alternative space for artists working at the boundaries of both dance practices and social contexts, forging new paths through experimental work. Placing artists at its heart, CDS offers unique approaches to artist, artform and audience development, enabling creative risk through organisational responsibility.

CDS has a reach that extends deep into the local community through to artists and their work nationally and internationally. CDS is historic and nimble, responding to the past and creating the future.

We are seeking 2 Associate Producers with an interest in producing experimental dance and performance work to join our training programme. The programme includes working one day per week at Chisenhale Dance Space on organisational projects such as Allotment and Arts Counselling, plus working one day per week with Dance and the Homemade artists Dan Watson or Project O.

Bursary per Associate:       £3,120
Placement timings:             July 2015 – January 2016
Approx days per week:       2 days per week
Total number of days:         52 days
Place of work:                     Chisenhale Dance Space in Bow, London, although when working with independent artists, other London-based venue and national travel may be required.

Applicants will have some experience of producing already, maybe in a different artform or self-producing their own work, and will want to learn more about how a producer works within the differing contexts of a dance organisation and with independent artists.

The two Associates will have a period of training from the CDS team on areas such as tour booking, marketing, artist development and funding, and will apply this learning within their 2 work placements.

More about the independent artists:

Dan Watson is a London based artist working somewhere between dance, performance and messing about. Originally a member of StopGAP Dance Company he went on to work with artists such as Wendy Houstoun, Nigel Charnock, Stan Wont Dance, 5 Men Dancing, Sweetshop Revolution and Seven Sisters Group amongst others. In 2012 Dan was the choreographic assistant for the movie “Les Miserables”. Dan has created two solo projects; Semi Detached and Precariously as well as the duet Jacket Dance. He has also created work for StopGAP, Flight Effect Dance and Them Two Dance.

The aims during the placement are to help make a more definitive footprint for Dan and his work: develop branding, website and marketing, alongside scoping touring potential for existing and new works.

Find out more about Dan and his work here: www.danwatsonperforms.co.uk

Project O is the performative fruits of conversations between independent dance artists Alexandrina Hemsley and Jamila Johnson-Small. The London-based project explores ideas around visibility and marginalisation whilst looking to the body as a site – and agent – of politics, desire and dance. Their work has included choreographies for the stage (O, SWAGGA), performative interventions in public spaces (BYBG: Be Your Black Girlfriend), a publication (A Contemporary Struggle), a performance lecture (Benz Punany) and a free training programme (The New Empowering School). Project O are associate artists at Dance Research Studio and 2014 Artsadmin Bursary recipients.

During the placement Project O will be working on a new duet and looking for assistance in fundraising for this and tour booking for previous works. Project O will also be part of the British Council Showcase at Edinburgh this year. Women of colour are encouraged to apply.

Find out more about Project O and their work here: www.acontemporarystruggle.com

More about the CDS programmes:

Allotment – nurturing projects where artists take the lead, CDS supports its members to propose and produce events, workshops, classes and more.

Arts Counselling – a programme of free one-to-one advice sessions for artists hosted by experts on areas such as funding, marketing, budgeting, producing and more.

Open Weekend – in collaboration with Chisenhale Art Place and Chisenhale Gallery, CDS will be part of the Open Weekend Festival on 3-4th October.

The Associates will also support the general running of the CDS office.

To apply:

To apply please send a current CV, no longer than 2 sides and a statement expressing your interest in the position and outlining your experiences and skills relevant to the post. Please also explain which independent artist you would be interested in working with and why (you can say both, but provide reasoning for each).

Deadline: Sunday 28th June, 5pm.

We would like to commence interviews on Thursday 2nd July 2015 with a view to the successful candidate starting the placement in July 2015. Please specify if you are available to attend on this date.

Please send applications to opportunities@chisenhaledancespace.co.uk with Associate Producer Application 2015 in the subject title.