Image credit: Luke Waddingtion
Alys North
Dance Artist
Alys is a Newcastle based dance and theatre artist, working on various choreography, performance and participation projects throughout the UK, with companies and choreographers such as Manasamitra, Merav Israel, State of Grace, Jabadao, Fertile Ground, Fun in the Oven, Changing Relations, Lizzie J Klotz and Amy Manancourt. Working collaboratively across the arts, Alys is passionate about creating work and facilitating experiences that promote communication, curiosity and fun. Most recently Alys has been working on her own research project, 'The Making of Brian', an interactive dance and arts experience that re-thinks community. Alys began her training as a Contemporary Dancer at Northern School of Contemporary Dance, she then went on to complete her BA Hons in Choreography at Dartington College of Arts and MA in performance Dance at the University of Chichester.
Patrick Ziza
Dance Artist
Born in Rwanda, Patrick is a performing artist and a dance theatre maker. He creates a variety of work that explores the themes of African heritage and cultural norms, investigating the effect they have on people from the global south who were born or have lived in the western communities most of their lives. Patrick’s work seeks to engage with less conventional performance settings and platforms to promote visibility and accessibility. His work is thought provoking, inclusive and challenges the preconceived ideologies of various issues such as black masculinity/ black African people (amongst many other).
Website: https://www.patrickziza.com/
Izzie Beirne
Artist
Izzie is a visual Artist based between Newcastle Upon Tyne and Leeds. Beirne’s work looks at female body image objectification and societal expectations propagated by the beauty/fashion and porn industries. Beirne subverts the meaning of this omnipotent imagery through collage and paint, creating monstrous yet alluring characters. This subversion draws attention to the damaging nature and unrealistic expectations these genres of image promote to women.
Website- https://www.izziebeirne.co.uk
Image credit: Luke Waddingtion
Gavin Coward
Rehearsal Director and Mentor
Gavin is a dance artist, movement director and choreographer working and collaborating across dance, theatre and film. He has over 18 years experience working in the dance sector. Establishing himself as an acclaimed performer with some of the most distinctive dance companies touring the UK and internationally. Companies include balletLORENT, Hofesh Shechter, Royal Opera House, Matthew Bourne, Young Vic and Sadlers Wells productions. He has worked has both a physical actor and movement specialist for stunt performers on mayor motion pictures such as World War Z and The Mummy. He is currently a creative associate for balletLORENT.
Sarah Vaughn Jones
Film Maker and Editor
Sarah is a London-based filmmaker, specialising in brand awareness, promo and
documentary-style videos for the arts.
While training to be a professional dancer and choreographer, Sarah developed a passion for film which led her to study at institutions including The National School of Film and Television and Academy Class. This soon developed into a full-time profession, and her inside knowledge of the creative industries has proved invaluable in illustrating an authentic representation of artists’ work. Her sensitive appreciation for the arts helps her to honour artistic intentions while still captivating the attention of an audience.
Website: https://svjfilm.com/