17 November 2018
Newsdesk
Breakin’ Convention, a Sadler’s Wells project, announces the return of exciting and innovative projects for fresh emerging artists, with a range of development opportunities and public performances. These far-reaching initiatives exhibit Breakin’ Convention’s commitment to supporting hip hop dance theatre, both in the UK and internationally.
Open Art Surgery comes to Malta for the first time with a performance on Sunday 2 December. Marking its final month as Europe's Capital of Culture, Malta’s capital Valletta will host Open Art Surgery as part of its Hip Hop Weekend. Open Art Surgery is a week of rigorous workshops for aspiring hip hop choreographers, mentored by the indomitable Jonzi D and culminating in a public performance at City Theatre in Valletta, where the audience input their feedback directly to the artists involved. Jonzi D marks the occasion with an exclusive 15 minute performance of Aeroplane Man, and French dance sensation Salah performs his piece The Sickness as part of the occasion.
Back in the UK, Breakin’ Convention teams up with RCT Theatres and Avant Cymru to present Open Art Surgery in Wales for the first time. Raw hip hop talent is showcased with the creation of new work, allowing performers to take creative risks, try something different or test ideas. The resulting public performance takes place at the Park & Dare Theatre in Treorchy on Friday 22 March, with tickets on sale early next year. Open Art Surgery will also take place in London, with a performance at Sadler’s Wells’ Lilian Baylis Studio on Saturday 2 March.
Back to the Lab returns with world premiere public performances at the Lilian Baylis Studio on Saturday 26 January. Four promising hip hop choreographers – Joshua Nash, a Far From the Norm artist whose credits include Channel 4’s Random Acts, Crying Out Loud and SiDance Festival; Nicole McDowall, who has danced with Boy Blue Entertainment’s BLAK WHYTE GRAY, Myself UK Dance Company and Spoken Movement; Ben Ajose-Cutting, part of The Locksmiths, who performed with the 15 piece sonic orchestra at Breakin’ Convention 2018, and international duo Hector Plaza and Agnés Sales Martín from Barcelona who have danced with Iron Skulls Co – will experience two weeks of intensive training, workshopping and mentoring by established choreographers to enhance their skills. Back to the Lab showcases new pieces developed during this process with tickets on sale at 10am on Thursday 29 November.
Future Elements gives a group of talented young aspiring film-makers, MCs and dancers aged 13 - 16 the chance to workshop and collaborate to create an original music video. The end result encompasses lyrics, choreography, producing music, creating artwork and directing. Screened to the public in an exclusive evening on Saturday 16 March in the Lilian Baylis Studio, tickets go on sale early in 2019.
Breakin’ Convention Artistic Director Jonzi D said, “It’s super gratifying to be able to open up these opportunities to young and emerging hip hop artists, allowing them to experiment and produce brilliant pieces. I’m very excited that Breakin’ Convention is able to reach out to new venues and destinations to bring hip hop theatre to people around the world.”
Breakin' Convention is a Sadler's Wells Project
Jonzi D is a Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist
WORLD PREMIERE
Breakin’ Convention
Back to the Lab
Saturday 26 January
Lilian Baylis Studio, EC1R 4TN
Performance at 7:45pm
Tickets: £8
Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com
WORLD PREMIERE
Breakin’ Convention
Future Elements Night 2019
Saturday 16 March
Lilian Baylis Studio, EC1R 4TN
Performance at 7:30pm
Tickets: £5
Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com
