Into Our Skies Photo: Anthony Briggs
About Occupied
Occupied is Ludus Dance’s individually tailored careers support and professional development scheme for dance artists in Lancashire and the North West which sees local professionals occupy our building for 12 months to develop one or more aspects of their work.
Here Occupied Associate Artist Lucy Starkey focuses on her journey over the last six months:
Lucy’s journey so far …
“Over the last six months my dancing has:
- visited space and time: caves, sunset landscapes, an historic suffrage march, woodlands, the sailing of the Mayflower in 1620, the stars.
- connected with audience members, workshop participants, community cast members, festival attendees
- been nourished by other disciplines, circus, writing, music, theatre, science
I have made ‘Into Our Skies’, my first solo, with support from Ludus Dance, performed extensively in eight different productions, and taught leaders and students of dance.
Exciting new projects with ‘About Time Dance Company’ and ‘Made by Katie Green’ are now in development. And I plan to tour ‘Into Our Skies’ to observatories, science festivals and all who are captivated by the world above our heads. Watch this space!”
Becoming an Associate Artist on the ‘Occupied’ scheme this year has catalysed my work more than I could have imagined. I was not expecting to make my own work but with Ludus Dance’s help, I have begun that process and continued with the momentum that this has created. Studio space, people to talk to and receive advice from, support with technology, and the dropping in of ideas I had not thought of myself. ‘Occupied’ has equipped me with the tools to make choreographing my first solo an enjoyable mountain to climb. All the while my freelance career continues and I greatly appreciate Ludus Dance’s support of my work and time commitments.
Do you want to know about these, or my other artistic voyages? Contact me, I’d love to tell you more: email lucy_starkey@hotmail.co.uk”
More about Lucy
Lucy’s diverse work as a performer and teacher extends across the globe. Her love for movement and dance invention sees Lancashire-born Lucy perform with companies, choreographers and directors. She dances in a variety of contexts, from the stage to outdoors, opera, video, festivals and eclectic sites. A member of Made by Katie Green since 2013, Lucy tours extensively to caves and museums nationwide. In the UK, America and Europe, other examples of her work include Moxie Brawl, Cie. Leg, Opera North, Christopher Williams, Casson & Friends, MakeAmplify and Rosemary Lee.
In 2009 Lucy gained her first class degree from London Contemporary Dance School and a distinction for her postgraduate diploma (Verve, company pathway) from NSCD in 2010. Lucy joined AboutTime Dance Company in 2016, and performs in Cotton, Walking Watling Street, and Longways and Crosswise.
Longways and Crosswise by About Time Dance Company Photo: Robin Zahler
Beneath Our Feet by Made by Katie Green Photo: Owen Benson
Into Our Skies Photo:Rebecca Richards
