Profile
Training
2019-2021 The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, MA Movement: Directing and Teaching
2018-2019 University of Hertfordshire, Arts Therapies and Wellbeing Foundation
1989-1993 Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Vocational Dance training
1986-1989 Harlow Technical College, Theatre Studies Foundation
Experience
Movement Experience whilst on the MA Movement: Directing and Teaching
2020 Movement assistant. Mentored by Ingrid Mackinnon, production movement director. Working with MA Acting Classical actors at RCSSD offering physical preparation and character embodiment for a filmed production of Hamlet by William Shakespeare.
2020 Movement Director. Directed by Cressida Brown with BA (Hons) Acting Collaborative and Devised Theatre students. Online and studio sessions offering physical preparation, individual coaching and choreographing transitions in preparation for a filmed production of Sticks and Stones by Vinay Patel.
2020 Actor Movement Teacher. Mentored by Debbie Green with BA (Hons) Acting students. A series of classes and individual coaching online as part of Movement Fundamentals 1st year curriculum. Teaching spirals and sequential movement to develop spatial awareness and increase movement facility.
Productions and Teaching
As a Movement Director
2020 Movement Director. Chelmsford Workshop Theatre. Constellations directed by Ria Milton.
2019 Movement director. Chelmsford Theatre Workshop. Lilies On The Land, assisting director Mark Preston.
2018 Movement director. Chelmsford Theatre Workshop. The Pride and Wish List, assistant to director Ria Milton.
As a Movement Teacher/Artist
2021 Actor Movement Teacher. Central Actors Gym(CAG), a collective of recent graduates from RCSSD. Explorative movement workshops delivered monthly with focus on Laban’s Movement Analysis.
2020-2021 Choreographic and Movement Mentor to EncoreEast, a collective of older community dancers. Offering choreographic practice and mentorship. After facilitating a successful sharing of work online, a second stage has been agreed.
2006-2021 Core Movement Tutor. DanceEast, Suffolk. Regular adult contemporary dance classes fusing Limon, Cunningham and release technique. Over 50s creative classes exploring improvisation and play.
2006-2021 Artistic Director and workshop leader. DanceEast, Suffolk. Responsible for two community performance companies. Leadership of groups through projects as choreographer, core tutor and rehearsal director.
2016 and 2018 Facilitator and workshop leader. Host: a biennial festival celebrating dance in the community with focus on artistry and the older dancer. Role included assisting with organisation, facilitating guest speakers and delivery of choreographic and creative practice workshops.
2017-18 Movement Teacher. Delivering ‘falls prevention’ classes with a creative movement approach. As part of Dance To Health umbrella responsibilities included facilitating expressive dance for an older participant with a base focus on strength and mobility.
2013 Movement teacher. East London Dance. In partnership with Rachael Nanyonjo (Kansaze Dance) offering regular contemporary technique followed by creative movement and choreographic practice.
Lead Artist/Choreographer: Large-scale Community Projects
2018 Choreographer and Movement Director. A commission by Ipswich choral society working closely with the musical director, Robin Walker. A mixed media performance set to a live rendition of Eternal Light: A Requiem. Responsible for the delivery of movement exploration for skilled and non-skilled dancers balancing animation, choreography and movement directing. Performed at The Corn Exchange, Suffolk.
Lead Artist and Choreographer devising and delivering to community groups and schools across Suffolk, London and Kent. Collaborating with animators, musicians and movement practitioners on the following productions:
2017 The Inkwell. The Jerwood DanceHouse, Ipswich.
2016 Rock, Paper, Scissors. The Jerwood DanceHouse and Theatre Royal, Bury Saint Edmunds.
2014 Finding Home. Director Tom Hobden, Unit, The Jerwood DanceHouse.
2014 Hercules, New Art Club. Collaborating closely with directors Tom Roden and Pete Shenton. Performed at New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich.
2012 Big Dance Studio Wayne McGregor. Performed at Trafalgar Square as part of the 2012 Festival for the London Olympics.
Other Events
2020 Movement specialist. The Delights of Labyrinth. Devising and skill sharing with director Chryssoula Nissianaki. Embracing mime and movement shaped by the story of Icarus. Rehearsals were conducted digitally under COVID restrictions in our home countries, Greece and England. Completion of this project is scheduled Autumn 2021.
2020 Performer. Experimental film created in lockdown 1: Horsebox, Max and Wayne Dance Theatre. Presented as part of an online Pride event, Ipswich.
2019 Dancer. Circadian by Rosemary Lee. Performing one of 24 solos as part of the First Light Festival, Lowestoft in Norfolk.
2018-2019 Choreographer. The Space Between danced by Alexandra Carter and Donna Brenchley. Filmed by Eleanor Mortimer (Glow Films). Work presented at various dance festivals in England.
2017 Choreographer and dancer. Drag and Drop, Max and Wayne Dance Theatre. A duet presented at The Cut, Suffolk.
Memberships
One Dance UK
Biography
Mary is an experienced choreographer and workshop leader. She began her career in Europe working alongside directors and choreographers in theatre-based dance devising and performing. Here in the UK, she toured with The Cholmondeleys and Earthfall Dance. She was supported by Welsh Independent Dance to produce her work under the company name Step21. Her artistic approach has been shaped by these experiences and continues to inform her choreography and teaching practice today.
Until recently Mary’s role as artistic director for two community performing companies at DanceEast (the regional dance agency for the east of England) spanned fifteen years and required regular delivery of technique classes and explorative workshops for both dance enthusiasts and trained practitioners. As core tutor she was also part of the outreach team delivering on projects for the region. Having worked with degree students at University of Suffolk and extensively at exam level within schools and colleges, Mary then became a member of the Dance UK Teachers Leadership Scheme, 2014. This led to a series of commissions as lead artist for large scale projects.
Alongside her studies at RCSSD, she received funds from Arts Council England in 2019 providing space to develop her practice and to follow her interest in screen dance. She thrives in a collaborative environment and has taken the opportunity to connect with a range of skilled professionals to develop her knowledge in this area, with a view to incorporate her movement skills with film.
Mary will embark on a period of R&D in June working closely with artist and movement therapist, Lynnette King. Combining their independent skills, with a focus on inclusive practice, they will continue to deliver their work under the company name Max and Wayne Dance Theatre.
Skills
Mary is skilled as a choreographer for large-scale multimedia productions. Experienced in both professional and community settings she has the qualities necessary to respond accordingly as a movement teacher. A qualified postural stability instructor and sports massage therapist provides a strong base awareness of anatomy which is embedded in her movement practice.
Mary reached grade 5 cello and can read sheet music. She has a keen interest in photography and art.
Profile image credit: Ludo des Cognets