Choreographic workshops

Despina is opening up her choreographic research process through a series of 3-hour choreographic workshops.

A chance to enhance your own creative process and explore starting points for generating and composing movement. Suitable for those with some dance, movement and/or performance experience.

About the research: following pregnancy and childbirth, Despina underwent an extensive period of recovery culminating in a hysterectomy. The physical, psychological and emotional effects of this process have informed her latest research on the relationship we have with the womb as an organ and as a concept, the impact a dysfunctioning organ can have on the body, the perceived/assumed relationship between womb and womanhood and the impact this can have on people who do not fit the assumption.

All workshops are free and can be taken individually although participation in multiple dates will allow you to develop and build on ideas further in-depth. These are not drop-in sessions - booking is essential.

All questions are encouraged: before, during and after!

To reserve a place or ask a question, please email piecebypiecedance@gmail.com

Dates:
 
May
Monday 9th (1-4pm)
Monday 16th (2-5pm)
Saturday 28th (1-4pm)

June
Wednesday 1st (1-4pm)
Thursday 2nd (1-4pm)
Friday 3rd (1-4pm)
Monday 13th (1-4pm)


Location: Clarence Mews, Hackney, London E5

September 2015

I started a new project last month. It's still early days and I don't feel like I can verbalise it yet in a manner fit for outside consumption. But I would like to share some stills from my time in the studio.

A little update

The more observant amongst you all will have noticed that there have been no updates for over two years on this page and over a year on the Facebook page. The reason is as old as humankind - I took time off dance to have a baby.

Having got my MA in Choreography with Merit in the beginning of 2013, I then had to put any and all dance related plans to one side soon after. I now have a happy, healthy 14 month old and have returned to work. Before Christmas I spent some time working in Clarence Mews, as part of the Creative Space 10 week programme. This was strictly research, getting to terms with the changes in my body post-pregnancy and how this affected the way I move.

Back in September I had the opportunity to work on a fantastic project called Spotlight Drama, in my hometown of Nicosia, Cyprus. Following two months of workshops in dance, drama, art and physical theatre, a devised performance piece was created and performed by a mixed, multiethnic group at the first Buffer Fringe Festival organised by Home for Cooperation. Here's a video with some clips from my workshop:

Audition Notice

Piece by Piece company are seeking dancers for upcoming projects in 2012 which include: 

• A research project (March to May) followed by an intensive 7-day residency (2nd week of May)
• A fundraising event (May/June)
• An overseas project/performance (July/August and subject to funding)
• A performance/series of performances (October/November)

Applicants must have a good grounding in dance technique whatever the style, and they should be open to playing an active part in the creative process. All shapes, sizes and ages welcome. Current students and recent graduates are encouraged to apply. Rehearsals are held in Hackney and North London, and we are committed to being as flexible as possible around our dancers' other commitments. It is completely acceptable for dancers to only be able to commit to one or some of the above projects, details will be given following the audition.

What you get:

• Performance opportunities in London and internationally
• Experience of Piece by Piece's style of creating and performing
• A chance to network with other dancers and choreographers
• Support and assistance for other projects you wish to undertake

This is currently an unpaid role, however there are plans to raise funds to cover travel and expenses. 

The audition will be held on Saturday 31st March at 11:30 am in North London, details will be given to successful applicants.

Please send us your bio/CV at piecebypiecedance@ymail.com by the end of Wednesday 28th March. You will be notified by the end of Thursday 29th.
Do contact us if you have any questions.

You can find out more about Piece by Piece here: http://www.facebook.com/piecebypiecedance

 

Forever 27 - Fans, you are needed!

Piece by Piece choreographer Despina Mavrou has started a new and exciting choreographic project, for which she needs lots of input. Here's what she's doing and what she needs from you:

I am at the early stages of research for my new choreographic project. The starting point for this is the Forever 27 club, the group of musicians that died aged 27. The club includes Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain (and more recently Amy Winehouse). More specifically, I am looking at the fans’ points of view.

As a Doors/Nirvana fan I’m focusing more on Jim and Kurt, but all stories and contributions are absolutely needed! So here is what I would like from you, friends and fellow fans:

• Do you remember where you were, what you were doing, how you felt, when you heard Kurt Cobain died? (or any of the others)
• Have you ever visited Jim Morrison’s grave in Paris? What happened? What was it like? (the more detail the better)
• Do you have any personal stories, experiences or anecdotes relating to any songs by any members of the Forever 27 club? Anything, no matter how big or small will do - you can always keep it anonymous if you want!
• Which song is your favourite? Why? Which songs/lyrics do you find are the most significant to you? What exactly do they signify?
• Do you think being a fan has had an effect on your attitude to, or outlook on, life and death? How?
• What is your attitude/feeling towards other fans? Were you ever influenced by other fans or did you influence them in any sort of way into feeling, thinking or doing something in a different way?
• Do you have any other thoughts about the club as a whole, or about any of the individual members? 

Use the comments to answer one, some or all of the questions, or to ignore them and just say what you want! You can post anonymously if you want. All comments welcome!

As some of you are already aware, online contributions often form a crucial part of my work. I would like to recognise your contribution to my research in any future showings of the work I create, so if you want your name included, do let me know!

Despina

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