Category: News

News articles & updates

We are Auditioning!

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FRONTLINEdance seeks:

  1. Four disabled and non-disabled performers for the creation and performance of a new contemporary dance / dance theatre work for public spaces in August 2019.
  2. Two emerging disabled dance artists to shadow and gain experience (expenses will be reimbursed).

The new work will be inspired by our local disabled communities lived experiences, ideas, voices, stories, messages and themes, which will be gathered during a light hearted, artistic and creative consultation period.

The choreographic process will take place in community spaces where disabled people / groups meet, and public spaces allowing both our disabled community and the general public to watch this process, feedback ideas, and become dance critics! This methodology will spark additional and much needed dialogue between artists and non-artists, disabled people and non-disabled people – in an inclusive manner and with all contributors on equal terms. It is hoped that by being so visible, we will inspire the next cohort of emerging disabled dancers as a result, and get people talking and sharing.

Consultation, creation and rehearsal will take place in less formal dance spaces, for a period of 15 days, spread out over 3 months. The new work will then be premiered as part of Appetites Big Feast on either 23rd & 24th August. It will involve performing indoors and outdoors.

We encourage applications from all disabled artists at any point in their career.

Required for application are:

  • 2 years of professional, or comparable, dance experience and/or an extraordinary natural performance style
  • Good improvisation skills
  • Motivated and hard working
  • Strong communications skills
  • Skilled and engaging performers
  • A commitment to be part of a team and fully participate
  • You must be over 18 years old, have a valid national insurance number, and be legally allowed to work in the UK.

Desirable skills & attributes:

  • Ability to sign and interpret BSL and Makaton
  • Experience of performing in non-conventional theatre settings

To apply: Applications via email are preferred. If this is not possible please get in touch.

Please send the following to Rachael Lines, Artistic Co-Director, at rachael@frontlinedance.co.uk:

  1. Completed Application (click here to download)
  2. An Equal Opps monitoring form (click here to download )
  3. An up-to-date CV
  4. A web link, if available, with footage of you performing. The most useful footage is something short, of about 5 minutes, recorded in a dance studio especially for this audition. It should give us an idea of your technique, performance ability, and improvisational style. Footage from previous performances is also welcome in digital format. All footage should be sent via an online platform link, such as YouTube or Vimeo, but please indicate the moment you would like us to watch, MAKE SURE IT’S EASY TO IDENTIFY YOU.
  5. A covering letter; we want to know why you are applying to work with us. Please use a maximum of 2 sides of A4, or a video or audio recording of up to 5 minutes (preferably in MP3 / MP4 format please) describing:
  • What is your experience in Dance or Performance?
  • Why do you dance?
  • Your ability to co-create with professionals and the community?
  • Why you wish to work for FRONTLINEdance?
  • What you feel you would offer us?
  • What do you find artistically inspiring, both when creating and when seeing dance pieces or other art works?

Application Deadline: Tuesday 7th May at 9am


Audition: 17th & 18th  May 2019, in Stoke-on-Trent. Venue to be confirmed.


Contract Dates (tbc): 17th – 21st June 2019 (R&D), 15th– 19th July 2019 (Creation), 14th– 16th August Creation/ Rehearsal), 21st & 22nd August (rehearsal), 23rd & 24th August (Performance)

Applicants successful in being offered an Audition will be informed by Friday 10th May 2019 

For the successful candidates, the planned start date of contract is June. Dancers will initially be on a 3 week contract of Equity/ITC rates at £483 per week as stated above, plus a relocation allowance of @£102.50 per week. An additional fee for performing the work plus travel & accommodation will be made.

For any further questions about the role please email Rachael Lines, Artistic Director on rachael@frontlinedance.co.uk or call her on 07919 026962

For further information about the company please go to  www.frontlinedance.co.uk
FRONTLINEdance is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Appointment will be made on merit. FRONTLINEdance is always interested to hear from disabled artists with an interest in working with the company.

Calling All Fundraisers!

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Calling all bake-salers, party-starters, wheelers, competitive knitters, park-runners and who knows what else! Could you, or someone you know, help us by fundraising for FRONTLINEdance?  From getting sponsored to climb mountains, to organising a local cake sale or raffle. Just get creative and support us in your own special way!

Perhaps your supermarket, office or local coffee shop regularly nominate a community project to raise funds for – if so, please do consider recommending us! Whatever you can do will boost awareness of FRONTLINEdance and raise vital funds.

Let us know what you want to do and we’ll support you every step of the way including setting up your own fundraising page on Golden Giving.

Thank you! 

FLASH BACK to Jan! We bought a West End and Broadway Director to Burslem!

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Ruth Carney sat with students from Stoke-On-Trent College talking about her experience

“When we were kids, Rachael used to do dance shows at old people’s homes, and she roped me in to help out”.

So started the long friendship between our Artistic Director and professional TV and Theatre Director Ruth Carney.

Ruth kindly shared her extensive experience in education both with drama schools and her own Carney Academy, when she stopped by FRONTLINEdance’s Residency Week at Stoke-on-Trent Performing Arts College to talk to our work experience students about their prospects in the industry.

The students were excited to get the chance to ask a Holby City director questions, and put her technical teachings into practice as they choreographed and produced their own artistic films about causes that they cared about, inspired by FRONTLINEdance’s commitment to advocacy for disability representation in dance. They also got the chance to see Breakthrou’ aDvANCE dancers Dave and Dan demonstrate original choreography, take a contemporary dance class with Rachael and a choral singing workshop with Esther.

We want to give a BIG thank you to Ruth, her input was invaluable and the students really gained valuable industry insight.

Talent Search – We need you!

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FRONTLINEdance are looking for passionate, enthusiastic and talented dancers to join our community and professional teams! We need dancers across the following categories.

  1. Youth Group (11-18 year olds)
  2. Young adults (18-25 year olds)
  3. Emerging and established Dancers & Makers (21 plus)

We’re particularly keen to hear from those with additional needs. This includes hearing, visual, learning, cognitive and physical.

Please contact us for more information.

Become a Friend!

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During 2018 our volunteers ‘Friends of FRONTLINEdance’ raised an outstanding £2,000! This ensured the continuation of our Breakthrou’dance programme, and our work at Haywood Community Hospital.  Our dedicated group of volunteers have exciting ideas for a packed programme of events for 2019 which will:

  • Continue to raise crucial funds for our current programmes
  • Support the hard work we do ‘behind the scenes’
  • Make our plans for a City-Wide Disability Arts Festival in Oct 2019 a reality!
  • Create new project for 2018, 2019 and beyond!

…..and THEY NEED YOUR HELP!

Please consider becoming a volunteer and be a Friend of FRONTLINEdance. You will join the existing team to help deliver these events, share you ideas and skills, and you’ll become a very valuable part of the FRONTLINEdance family. 

Please get in touch and become part of out story.

Breakthrou’ dancer interviews FRONTLINEdance Company Manager

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Grace caught up with her sister Esther on webcam to ask about her time in her role so far…

Where do you live?

I grew up in Barlaston and Tittensor, but I’ve lived and worked in Manchester since 2010.

During your career, have you always been involved in creative arts?

Since going to Newcastle Art College, I have always wanted to work in the arts sector. I love being creative, but I felt my flair was for organisation rather than arts in practice. I knew that I wanted to work in the cultural or creative industry.  I did lots of volunteering and work in museums and galleries, then in 2015 started at the British Council: a global organisation with a great reputation in arts and culture, where I’ve worked on programmes that fund cultural projects in the Middle East and across Europe. Even when my income wasn’t coming from an arts sector job, I’ve maintained a connection to the arts community by being involved in the running of SHE Choir Manchester, which I love to sing in and project manage for, and I’ve volunteered in theatre productions for HOME and The Royal Exchange. I’ve always needed some sort of cultural activity to be part of my work and social life, and I love music, film and theatre.

Did you enjoy your education and University life?

Yes, going to the local Art college helped me decide to do a degree in Art &Visual Culture: History, Theory & Management at Sheffield Hallam. During my studies I worked as an after-school carer for a child with profound and multiple learning and physical disabilities. I wrote papers on arts in industrial heritage, as I have always been proud of the creativity of The Potteries, and I worked at Spode before I went to Sheffield, which has a fascinating industrial and political history too.

What experience do you have within the disability community?

Well Grace, I was 3 when you were born – so I think it’s fair to say nearly all my life! Of course, it took me a while to realise that not everyone has a family member who has Down’s Syndrome – I used to ask Mum why I didn’t have ‘special knees’ (rather than ‘special needs’!).

You went to the same primary school as me, and because you were so popular, every knew me as ‘Grace’s sister’.  I was there at your speech therapy, playgroups, playdays at Our Space. When you went to Walton Hall Special School and then Derwent College, I got to meet your friends – I really appreciate the connection I’ve had through you to the disability community. I wish everyone in the world could have the same experience and that people who are disabled were more visible in every part of everyday life.

What have been the highlights of your time with FRONTLINEdance so far?

I have learned a lot, been attached  to my laptop mostly, but the highlights have definitely been any time that I’ve been able to see FRONTLINEdancers in action – at the Residency week when Dave and Dan came in, with Rhiannon in the office, talking about the Friends of events plan with Matt, taking part in Breakthrou Dance and Moving Stories at the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, and having fun on the dancefloor at the Halloween party.

Do you prioritise disabled dancers at FRONTLINEdance?

I think that we work towards disabled and non-disabled dancers both being as important as each other, FRONTLINEdance is about integration so we focus on both. We also do work specifically for older age groups and people in hospital.

Do you enjoy your job?

This is easily the most satisfying job I have ever had. To be able to work in management within the arts sector for an organisation that makes a measurable impact on the lives of people who can feel excluded from the arts and society is so important to me, especially people who have disabilities.

Thank you for the interview Esther!

No problem sis 🙂

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Give It a Week!

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Please join us for a week of fundraising to help continue our valuable work into 2019 and beyond!

FRONTLINEdance’s “Give it a Week” campaign runs from the 23rd November, and encompasses a week of special events and initiatives all aimed at raising crucial funds to support our successful and much loved outreach projects.

Give It A Week comes to an end on the 30th November, the day FRONTLINEdance turns 17!  To celebrate, what we hope will be a brilliant week of fundraising, we’ll be sending out a big, and incredibly special, THANK YOU message in December to everyone who donates during the week.  Rest assured it will be something recipients will treasure!

Thank you in advance for your support during Give it a Week – we can’t wait to show you the difference it will make.

Best wishes,

The FRONTLINEdance Team

https://mailchi.mp/1fd577fb56cf/give-it-a-week …

 

 

 

 

 

Please Share the link.

Are you an experienced freelance fundraiser?

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FRONTLINEdance are seeking to recruit an experienced freelance fundraiser (over a 12-month period) to work with us to diversify our income and help make the company more resilient longer term. Post commencing mid to end September 2018.

There are two specialist areas of support we require:

  1. Development of a grant income strategy, including identifying, co-ordinating, preparing and submitting bids to a range of funders (approx. 30 days)
  2. Development of a non-grant strategy, including identifying opportunities, co-ordinating and delivery of – sponsorship, membership, and individual giving (approx. 20 days)

The post can be delivered by one individual or two, depending on experience. Therefore, please state which when applying – Whole Activity or Specialist Area 1 / 2.

FRONTLINEdance are a not-for-profit Company and we rely on income from a number of sources. Fundraising is paramount to our future and something we have been successful at over the years securing funds including Arts Council England, Esmee Fairbairn, Children in Need, Local Authorities, and individual donations. Without it we could not exist, so it’s vital that you will be experienced in generating income for not-for-profit arts based, health based, and community based contemporary dance projects and organisations.

Working closely with the Artistic Director, and the rest of the team (including a company manager, freelance marketing person and administrators), the freelance fundraiser position will require you to work individually and as part of a team.

You will be joining FRONTLINEdance in its last year of organisational development funding from Arts Council England and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, meaning that you will play an instrumental role in the future of FRONTLINEdance.

Based in Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire, FRONTLINEdance break down barriers to engagement in dance through participation and performance, believing it plays a positive role in integration and community cohesion. You will be instrumental in fulfilling our vision and mission (https://frontlinedance.co.uk/about-us/).

For further information about FRONTLINEdance please visit www.frontlinedance.co.uk

Please download:

Role Description and Person Specification: Experienced Freelance Fundraiser(s) ROLE DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPEC July 2018

Application Form: FRONTLINEdance job-application-form JULY 2018 FINAL (1)

Recruitment Monitoring Form: RECRUITMENT applicants monitoring JULY 2018

This is both an exciting and challenging time for FRONTLINEdance and we hope to find someone who will relish the opportunity to be a part of this busy small company.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 27th July. 

Interviews will be held at our office in Stoke-on-Trent week on Friday 17th August.

FRONTLINEdance is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from disabled people. Any disabled applicant who meets the criteria of the person specification will be invited to interview.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Rachael Lines, Artistic Director rachael@frontlinedance.co.uk

Join Our Team!

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Recruitment: Part-Time Company Manager

16 hours/week / £24,000 per annum pro rata

We are seeking to recruit a Part-Time Company Manager for an initial contract period of 13 months (with possible extension), starting w.b. 3rd September 2018.

Working closely with the Artistic Director (AD), and the rest of the team (including freelance marketing and fundraising posts), the Company Manager role is pivotal within the company structure. It is a mixed and varied role, with both a high level of autonomy and responsibility, and a requirement to work flexibly as part of the team.

You will be joining FRONTLINEdance in its last year of organisational development funding from Arts Council England and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, meaning that you will play an instrumental role in the future of FRONTLINEdance.

FRONTLINEdance has a small yet dedicated team of employees and freelance staff. It’s led by a voluntary board of directors and supported by additional volunteers.  Based in Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire, FRONTLINEdance break down barriers to engagement in dance through participation and performance, believing it plays a positive role in integration and community cohesion. You will be instrumental in fulfilling our vision and mission (https://frontlinedance.co.uk/about-us/).

For further information about FRONTLINEdance please visit www.frontlinedance.co.uk

Please download the Job Pack here:

FRONTLINEdance job-application-form JULY 2018 FINAL (1)

Company Manager Job Description July 2018 FINAL (2)

RECRUITMENT applicants monitoring JULY 2018

This is both an exciting and challenging time for FRONTLINEdance and we hope to find someone who will relish the opportunity to be a part of this busy yet small company.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 27th July.  

Interviews will be held at our office in Stoke-on-Trent w.b 13th August.

FRONTLINEdance is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from disabled people. Any disabled applicant who meets the criteria of the person specification will be invited to interview.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Rachael Lines, Artistic Director rachael@frontlinedance.co.uk