Choreographer Matthew Bourne to Announce New Adventures Choreographer Award

Matthew Bourne announced today the third New Adventures Choreographer Award (NACA). Open to emerging choreographers of all ages, NACA follows the success of the 2012 and 2014 awards that helped launch the choreographic careers of James Cousins, Tom Jackson-Greaves and John Ross. In addition to the showcase awards in 2014 the judges made an additional award to Sally Marie to fund a Producer for 12 months and a Commissioning Award to Caroline Finn in partnership with Phoenix Dance Theatre. In June 2015 Finn was announced as the new Artistic Director of National Dance Company Wales.

Matthew Bourne said today "I am delighted to be announcing the third New Adventures Choreographer Award. None of us at the company anticipated the huge appetite for an award of this kind. I am immensely proud of all the previous winners who have gone on to establish enviable careers as international choreographers of dance and I am very much looking forward to finding our next winner."

Bourne will lead a world-class team of judges who will assess applications and choose either one or a number of winners to create a showcase of new work in 2016. Judges returning to assist Bourne in his decision making are Scott Ambler (Associate Artist, New Adventures), Lez Brotherston (Designer and Associate Artist, New Adventures), Christopher Hampson (Artistic Director, Scottish Ballet), Etta Murfitt (Associate Artistic Director, New Adventures), Edward Watson (Principal Dancer, Royal Ballet) and Sharon Watson (Artistic Director, Phoenix Dance Theatre).

NACA has established itself as one of the sector's most hotly sought after platforms for new choreographic talent. The award was originally established by colleagues and friends in celebration of Matthew Bourne's 50th birthday in 2010, and to also honour both the work and achievements of Matthew and his company New Adventures within dance-theatre.

All winners will be mentored by Matthew Bourne and other judges will provide work opportunities, mentoring and support over the twelve months leading up to a showcase of new work. The award is run by the charitable arm of New Adventures, Re:Bourne who provide mentoring support on budgeting, management, contracting and fundraising. Over £40,000 is available to the winner/s.

Applications for the third award are invited through www.new-adventures.net where applicants can find out everything they need to know about how to apply. The deadline for applicants is 16:00 on Friday 31 July 2015.

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