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Production Lab launches at DanceXchange

Stacey MacNaught |

DanceXchange, the Birmingham-based dance house, has launched Production Lab 2016, a new opportunity for choreographers, dance artists and producers to develop their production skills. Taking place at DanceXchange’s studios on 26 and 27 October and 2 November, industry experts will deliver a series of workshops on a variety of topics in partnership with Birmingham Dance Network. BDN aims to create opportunities to connect, network and discover other artists, choreographers and teachers, to try and create the best professional development opportunities for Birmingham’s dance artists.

As a result, Production Lab 2016 is a great opportunity to help develop the artists in the region, providing dance artists and producers with new skills and knowledge to assist their further development. It will see dance artists delve into the secrets of lighting design, explore what role dramaturgy could play in a creative process, and to become familiar with how to tour work, manage a company, market effectively and build strong partnerships.

Specifically, The Business of Dance with Sarah Shead & Phil Hargreaves will be a whistle-stop tour of how to realise an artistic idea. This is from conception to delivery and everything in between; planning cycles, fundraising, partnership building, marketing/promotion and tour booking.

Light Me Up with Jackie Shemesh will mean participants can make the most of technical rehearsals by getting hands on with lights and design. Working in DanceXchange’s Patrick Centre with lighting designer Shemesh, participants are introduced to the tricks of the trade and learn to communicate ideas and intentions to lighting technicians and designers.

Lastly, The Dance Dramaturg: Don't (let your work) be seen dead without one! with Lou Cope will draw on her years of experience to demystify the role of a dramaturg, and help participants make the best of their processes.