The Van Man begins!

Since the announcement just before Christmas 2011 of C-12 Dance Theatre receiving our first Grants for the Arts, Lottery funded project The Van Man, it will finally begin with the full cast. The choreographer Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster had begun the research and development 2 weeks ago, and last week Annie-Lunnette joined up with her assistant choreographer Raquel Gaviria at The Albany to continue to develop the ideas and desired outcomes of the piece. Continually developing the relationships with the Sound and Design collaborators, Kweku Aacht and Ingrid Hu, the ideas which have been exchanging is nothing less than extraordinary and magical. C-12 Dance Theatre has such a positive and talented team around them with the support of The Albany, East London Dance and the Arts Council, which brings a confidence which has never been higher.

The Van Man includes some experienced C-12 performers, Wayne Summerbell and Raquel Gaviria, and we welcome a new company member who will play The Van Man, Chris Linda. Chris, auditioned for us last week and his experience, versatility and fresh energy was impressive, he has worked with Rosie Kay, past and current C-12 company members Tilly Webber and Kimberely Clarke. This week is the first week the full cast comes together. And as I write this blog, the Luton Van has just been delivered to my house, and so......the journey begins!

C-12 DANCE THEATRE AUDITIONS 2012!

February 11th and 12th C-12 Dance Theatre held their auditions, this year at the wonderful new facility at Deptford Lounge in Deptford, supported by The Albany. A beautiful large studio, warm up studio and the friendly staff made this a comfortable experience for both C-12 and the dancers. C-12 was also supported by company youth members Tommima Lloyd-Winder and Billy Candler, who documented the day and ran the dancers from the registration area to the warm up room.

Featuring on the registration desk was the incredible Nikki Watson from CODA Dance and the lovely Jasmine Middleton from Middlesex University. Wayne Summberbell led the movement with other company members Alicia Pattyson and Jasmine Gregory on the Saturday. The recall which took place on the Sunday, had Adam Towndrow and Wayne Summberbell lead on the Trolleys project and Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster and Raquel Gaviria lead on The Van Man project.

The combination of C-12 rep, Trolleys choreography and The Van Man material made the audition exciting, full of variety and highlighted the dancers who suited particular projects AND ones who can adapt to all three.

Despite the DLR and the Northern Line being down, we saw 80 people on the Saturday and recalled 40.

Over the next week or so, C-12 will announce the new look company for 2012.