Alongside the announcement of two shows from award-winning young directors, we're also super excited to announce our new Associate Company as well as the newly appointed Genesis Fellow succeeding Natalie Abrahami, who has held the post 2012 - 2014.
BirdGang become first dance company to be an associate of the Young Vic
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"http://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/a-harlem-dream" target="_blank">A Harlem Dream, which debuted in the Maria Studio as part of Dance Umbrella 2014. Led by artistic directors Ivan Blackstock, Simeon Qsyea, Quails (Ukweli Roach) and Kendra J Horsburgh, BirdGang established in 2005 and as an associate company they will have the opportunity to collaborate with and be supported by the YV team whilst pursuing their future projects.
Rooted in hip-hop culture, the company are interested in stimulating audiences through a combination of movement, music, film and striking lighting design. Ivan Blackstock, a founding artistic director of BirdGang commented: “I speak for all of us when I say that we are truly honoured and excited to be working with an organisation like the Young Vic who are renowned for their daring and vibrant productions, along with their dedication to investing in and developing young artists in the UK.”
For more about, head to www.birdgangdance.com.
Gbolahan Obisesan is named the new Genesis Fellow at the Young Vic
Photo by Michael Wharley.Director and playwright Gbolahan Obisesan joins the Young Vic as Genesis Fellow in 2015. The Genesis Fellowship, a two year grant supported by the Genesis Foundation, enables the recipient to develop their craft as a theatre director whilst working closely with Young Vic Artistic Director David Lan. Opportunities whilst in post include directing a show at the Young Vic, supporting the theatre’s programming and artistic planning, contributing to the work of the Young Vic’s Directors Program and mentoring Genesis Future Directors Award-recipients. The Genesis Foundation supports the Genesis Fellowship, the Genesis Directors Network and the Genesis Future Directors Award at the Young Vic.
Gbolahan’s previous work at the Young Vic includes Feast (co-written with Yunior García Aguilera, Rotimi Babatunde, Marcos Barbosa and Tanya Barfield) directed by Rufus Norris, his play Mad About The Boy directed by Ria Parry, and direction of Sus by Barrie Keeffe, as the recipient of the 2009 Jerwood Directors Award. The production subsequently toured to venues around the UK.
Gbolahan Obisesan commented: "I'm delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside the Young Vic team and look forward to being involved in and contributing to the diverse activities of the theatre. Working on Sus, Mad About the Boy and Feast were brilliant experiences and I can't wait to get started on new projects."
