LATEST NEWS
Latest update
Dear Friends,
We hope you are well despite these unprecedented times. Inevitably ATMA’s plans to create and tour its new children’s show Spy Monkey have been put on hold. However, behind the scenes we have been hard at work with all are hugely valued and supportive partners. Together, we are hopeful to bring the new work to you during the Spring/Summer 2021 season. Updates will be posted here, so please do watch this space for more information over the coming months.
ACE Emergency Funding Success! We are delighted to announce ATMA Dance are a recipient of ACE’s Emergency Response Fund. We are most grateful to the Arts Council of England for their continued support. This grant gives us an exciting new opportunity to create a new show designed specifically for online viewing called Dancing Mudras. and a new look for ATMA’s website, which will include a special section for our younger audiences.
Thinking of you ATMA Dance is indebted to all our partners, ATMA board members and Arts Council England for their massive continued support.
We are rooting for all our fellow, talented and hard-working creatives; promoters; as well as venues and arts organisations. We’re sending our good wishes that you continue to thrive!
For now, we leave you with an inspirational image by Dr Akhtar Hussain from Mangalore, India. Grip of Life has been hanging in ATMA’s studio for almost two decades. It ‘portrays the struggle of life in the harsh environment of the unyielding rock in adverse conditions. This tree represents perseverance against all odds’. (2001-2002, Commonwealth Photographic Awards)
New work for families in the making…
We are delighted to announce that 2020 will see the creation of a new work for family audiences by ATMA Dance. Following on from the hugely successful The Magic Fish, Spy Monkey will be a contemporary retelling of a classic Indian tale from the Ramayana.
For ages 4+, it will feature Bharata Natyam and hip-hop dance, music and story-telling, a very important secret mission, and a monkey with extraordinary superpowers!
For your first chance to see the show, below are our initial performances in spring/summer 2020. Further touring will be announced when confirmed.
London: Watermans – Sunday 26 April
Bracknell: South Hill Park Arts Centre – Sunday 17 May
Newbury: Corn Exchange – Wednesday 27 May
Maidenhead: Norden Farm Centre for the Arts – Thursday 28 May
Banbury, The Mill Arts Centre – Friday 29 May
Newcastle: Gem Arts Masala Festival – Monday 13 – Sunday 19 July (performance date tbc)
We are incredibly grateful to all our venue partners and Arts Council England for making this new work possible. Spy Monkey is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, commissioned by Gem Arts and supported by Surf the Wave.
ATMA Dance seeks a freelance Producer or Project Manager
Approx 20 days between December 2019 and July 2020
Fee £150-175 per day dependent on experience
ATMA Dance is looking for a Producer or Project Manager to support the creation, production and initial performances of Spy Monkey, an exciting new work for family audiences. This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved in the work of a diverse, ambitious and flexible company. ATMA is a South Asian dance company that makes work for a range of audiences and settings.
Working collaboratively with the Artistic Director, varied responsibilities will include coherent planning and delivery across the different phases of the project, including but not limited to:
- Finance – budgeting, invoicing, making payments, monitoring cash-flow and bank account
- Team – internal meetings, contracting
- Marketing – campaign planning, print production, liaising with venues, social media, website maintenance
- Partnerships – liaising with venues and funders, developing new relationships, consolidating interest for future bookings/touring, supporting a future touring Project Grants application
- Logistics – scheduling, booking travel and accommodation
- Reporting – to the ATMA Board, ACE and other funders
Project funding is secured from Arts Council England Project Grants, a commission from GemArts and performance fees from five venues – including a new consortium of venues in the South East supported by Surf the Wave seed funding. Rehearsal and production spaces are confirmed, and the majority of the team on board. A project plan is in place, to be handed over from ATMA’s current Associate Producer (on maternity leave from Christmas 2019); so this project is set up and ready to go, but still has plenty of scope for someone to make their mark on.
The company is London-based, but remote working can be considered for suitable candidates.
Contact: info@atmadance.com
Expressions of Interest: To apply please send CV, cover letter and contact details for 1 or 2 professional references, to info@atmadance.com asap, and by 4pm Monday 25 November latest.
Eve Rising
Introducing Eve Rising, a new solo created by ATMA’s Artistic Director Mayuri Boonham earlier this year. Initially commissioned for the BBC Young Dancer 2019 competition, it was also performed at Latitude Festivaland has been described as ‘A real gem of a piece’ (David Mead, seeingdance.com).
Mayuri has also been invited by Akademi to present a work for Descendants, a performance that forms part of their 40th anniversary celebrations, at Southbank Centre, Sunday 29 September.
Eve Rising was initially created for, and first performed by, Shree Savani for the BBC Young Dancer 2019 Grand Finals in May. The solo has subsequently been expanded to be performed to the entire score of ‘Apple Blossom’ by Peter Garland, and is performed by one of ATMA’s long-term dancers, Archana Ballal.
ATMA are delighted that Eve Rising at Descendants will include live music performed by an extremely talented percussion quartet from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire: Aidan Hammond, Simon Arriola Segura, Alex Henshaw and BBC Young Musician 2016 winner Andrew Woolcock. Huge thanks to RBC for making this possible!
Surf the Wave supports ATMA Dance
Surf the Wave is a dance development project of national significance, taking place over three-years, aiming to change how dance is toured in the UK.
During Phase One, ATMA’s Artistic Director Mayuri Boonham and Associate Producer Ceri Brierley were invited to take part in the Artist as Entrepreneur programme. Across two two-day intensives we joined with other dance artists and companies to discuss challenges, exchange and reflect, learn from some inspiring case studies and meet a range of programmers from across the South East of England. We chose to focus on this region as we have fewer existing venue relationships than elsewhere.
Following the intensives we have been successful in our application for Seed Funding, which will enable us to test a new consortium of venues interested in developing audiences for family dance work. We’re delighted to be working with Surf the Wave on this initiative, alongside our venue partners: Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead; South Hill Park, Bracknell; Corn Exchange, Newbury and The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury.
Click here to see the news story on the Surf the Wave website.
ATMA performs at Alchemy 2018
We are delighted to announce that ATMA Dance has accepted an invitation to perform at Alchemy, London’s foremost festival celebrating the exchange of ideas and cultural connections between South Asia and the UK.
ATMA will present The Magic Fish to family audiences in the Clore Ballroom at the Royal Festival Hall on bank holiday Monday 7 May. The two performances, at midday & 3.30pm, are free to attend and will be supplemented by a fun and active workshop incorporating dance and beatboxing.
We’re delighted that performers Kamala Devam and Marv Radio will join Mayuri Boonham on stage for this special one-off performance that follows a hugely successful 2017 tour. This is what audiences have told us about The Magic Fish:
“Fabulous! Loved the mix of contemporary & classical, a great story to tell too. Great to hear tales from other cultures. So visual with so few props! Really imaginative. Thank you!” Parent, Waterside Arts
“One of the best things I’ve seen in my life.” Audience member aged 7, Pavilion Dance South West
For further information, see the Southbank Centre’s website, or watch The Magic Fish trailer here.
The Magic Fish: autumn 2017 tour
Following successful initial performances hosted by our commissioning partners last year, ATMA Dance is delighted to be touring The Magic Fish in autumn 2017.
The Magic Fish is a charming theatrical experience for families. From Newcastle to Bournemouth, this interactive performance featuring dance, storytelling and beatboxing, looks set to delight audiences on a nine venue tour.
We are also delighted to announce that the 2017 cast will feature dancer Kamala Devam and beatboxer Marv Radio. Please click here for further details and booking links.
Job Advert
ATMA Dance is looking for dynamic people to join its board. Read on…
Deadline Wednesday 26th April 2017.
The Magic Fish: 2016 performances
Check out The Magic Fish trailer here
ATMA Dance are very excited to announce the development, creation and performances of The Magic Fish, a new work for young children and family audiences.
Communicating big ideas to small children, ATMA Dance’s modern take on matsya, a classic tale about an Avatar of Vishnu, one of India’s Supergods, inspires curiosity about the essentials for life on earth.
In April ATMA Dance kicked off its development phase as part of a residency at The Unicorn Theatre – one of the UK’s leading Children’s Theatre venues. And in July, subsequent performances took place in London, Poole and Newcastle. Please click here for further details and booking links.
New status and team for ATMA Dance
In recognition of its charitable aims and objectives, ATMA Dance has been awarded registered charity status. As well as acknowledging the positive outcomes of its work, this status will enable the company to increase its fundraising efforts, allowing further distribution of its high quality artistic and educational work.
ATMA Dance warmly welcomes new board members Rina Mirchandani and Jenny White. We thank outgoing Director Simon Freakley for his work, and are grateful for his continued support of the company’s work from the back benches.
We would also like to welcome Ceri Brierley to the team as Project Manager for The Magic Fish.
EX NIHILO /THE HUMAN EDGE: AUTUMN TOUR 2014
A pair of conceptually complementary works by Mayuri Boonham
Touring this Autumn:
Thursday 30 October 2014, 7.30pm
Pavilion Dance South West, Bournemouth
Saturday 29 November 2014, 7.30pm
Newcastle Performance Academy, Newcastle College
bookings through GemArts
Wednesday 10 December 2014, 7.30pm
Ivy Arts Centre, University of Surrey, Guildford
For more information click here
A diverse and fascinating choreographer – Graham Watts, Londondance.com
Principally commissioned by The Royal Opera House, Royal Ballet Studio Programme and co-commissioned by Pavilion Dance South West, supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
Video and photos of Ex Nihilo / The Human Edge
Just uploaded – click here to watch the trailer for ATMA Dance’s latest double bill Ex Nihilo / The Human Edge and see some stunning photos from Chris Nash on our Facebook page. Enjoy!
Ex Nihilo / The Human Edge at Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House – 29 & 30 APRIL 2014
ATMA Dance is delighted to be premiering 2 brand new works, Ex Nihilo / The Human Edge at the Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House on 29 & 30 April 2014.
A pair of complementary works takes inspiration from sacred texts of India to explore the metaphysical origins of matter and the ancient questions of creation and human life.
Ex Nihilo is Mayuri Boonham’s new Company work for seven dancers, whilst The Human Edge is a duet performed by dancers of The Royal Ballet ; First Soloist, Yuhui Choe and Soloist Kenta Kura.
The Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House
29 & 30 April 2014
7.45pm
For tickets click here
Principally commissioned by The Royal Ballet Studio Programme at the Royal Opera House
Mayuri is a Choreographic Affiliate of The Royal Ballet Studio Programme
Co-commissioned by Pavilion Dance South West
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England
Erhebung – 2014 performances
We’re pleased to announce that ATMA Dance’s Dance-Sculpture-Sonic Art Installation Erhebung will be back on the road this year.
You can catch it first at Let’s Dance International Festival Leicester on Friday 9 May.
Performances will be at 2pm, 4pm & 6pm and are completely FREE! For more information click here
More dates will be announced shortly so do keep checking the website for performances near you.
New classical Indian dance meets abstract sculpture in Erhebung, a collaboration between choreographer Mayuri Boonham and the sculptor Jeff Lowe. Boonham’s increasing abstraction of the dancers’ figures creates an expressive boundary with Lowe’s striking sculpture – a place where form and abstraction merge. The dance is performed within a sculptural landscape that integrates choreography in its design. A key inspiration for the work is Burnt Norton, a poem from T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets. The title, Erhebung, is a German word mentioned in the poem, meaning rising or elevation.
AUDITION FOR ATMA – 9 February 2014
Mayuri Boonham, Affiliate Choreographer at the Royal Ballet and Artistic Director of ATMA Dance is looking for experienced and technically strong male and female dancers to join her company to create and perform an evening of new work for the Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House.
Dancers should be highly trained in either Bharatanatyam, or both ballet and contemporary techniques with at least 3 years professional experience. Contemporary dancers with little or no experience in Bharatanatyam are encouraged to apply but must be open to learning and working creatively with the Bharatanatyam vocabulary.
This project will research and develop ideas for Mayuri’s latest commission alongside a range of other projects.
You should be available for work between Tuesday 4th March and Wednesday 30th April 2014 inclusive (exact schedule to be confirmed).
Recent graduates, or those in full time education, will not be considered.
Prospective candidates should send a CV including photos and links to online performance videos to info@atmadance.com
Deadline for applications is 12noon, Wednesday 5 February 2014
Auditions will be held in London on Sunday 9 February 2014. You MUST be available to attend the audition in order to be considered. The audition will be by invitation only.
ERHEBUNG – Ivy Arts Centre, 27 Nov 2013
New classical Indian dance meets abstract sculpture in Erhebung – a collaboration between ATMA Dance’s Artistic Director Mayuri Boonham, Sculptor Jeff Lowe, Sound Artist Bill Fontana and Costume Designer Moritz Junge. Erhebung’ is a dance-sculpture-sonic art installation. Funded by the Arts Council of England and co-commissioned by Pavilion Dance South West and GemArts.
TOUR BOOKINGS – 2014
Tour Bookings for ‘Erhebung’ and ATMA Dance’s new double-bill are available for spring/summer 2014.
NEW WORK – Tue 29 & Wed 30 April 2014, Linbury Studio Theatre
After the great success of her Draftworks piece Vāc II in April 2013, ATMA Dance Director and Royal Ballet Choreographic Affiliate Mayuri Boonham returns to The Linbury Studio Theatre stage in April 2014 – this time for an entire evening with her company ATMA Dance and the world-premiere of two new dance works, which include a commission from the Royal Ballet Studio Programme. Working with both Royal Ballet members and some of the best classical Bharatanatyam dancers in the UK, Mayuri’s choreography takes inspiration from classical ancient texts of India to create an evening of exciting contemporary dance.