Dance Writers of the Future 2014 – Competition Launch

“The ability to see movement clearly and to describe it evocatively is a rare and wonderful gift.”      Roger Copeland

Calling all young writers – an exciting opportunity to write about dance and win some great prizes!

Oxford Dance Writers is delighted to announce the launch of Dance Writers of the Future 2014, the third competition to find talented young writers on dance.  This year’s competition is once again generously supported by the Dancing Times, and by Oxford venues the New Theatre and the Playhouse, who are donating attractive prizes; and the competition is being promoted and supported by Dancin’ Oxford 2014.  Young writers are invited to submit dance writing on any of the dance shows they see in Oxford between 1st February and 20th March.  There is a lot to choose from!  Go to the Dance Writers of the Future page for full details of how to enter, and a list of shows over the competition period.

https://oxforddancewriters.wordpress.com/dance-writers-of-the-future/

And please pass the information to other young people and students of your acquaintance, we would welcome their contributions!

Looking forward to hearing from you…

Susie Crow

 

Where are the women ballet choreographers? – Maggie Watson writes

Last November, Josephine Jewkes’ description of the Boys in Action project in the Dancing Times made interesting reading beside Luke Jennings’ comments in the Observer on the “all-male creative stranglehold” on the Royal Ballet, and his statement:  “It’s a dismaying fact, but no female choreographer has been commissioned to create a ballet on the Covent Garden main stage for more than a decade now.”

When boys are so reluctant to take up dance, particularly ballet, and girls outnumber boys in most ballet classes, why are men so much more successful in gaining recognition as ballet choreographers?

 

Dance Writers of the Future 2012

Dance Writers of the Future 2012

Following the successful Dance Writers of the Future project initiated by Ballet in Small Spaces in 2009, Oxford Dance Writers announces a second competition to find talented young writers on dance.  This year’s competition focuses on Dancin’ Oxford 2012, whose programme of exciting dance events, activities and performances from 18^th February to 28^th March provides multiple opportunities for reflective writing and critique.

• Entrants are asked to submit a piece of original critical writing about an event taking place as part of the Dancin’ Oxford 2012 programme.  This could be a review of a performance, an account of a workshop experienced, discussion of a talk or conference presentation etc.
• Length to be approximately 400 words.
• Entries to be sent to Susie Crow of Oxford Dance Writers either by email, or hard copy by mail – see contact details below.  Please include with your entry your full contact details, including postal address, telephone and email, also date of birth.  Incomplete submissions cannot be accepted.
• Deadline for submissions 5.00pm Monday 2nd April.
• A panel of experienced professionals will judge entries and select winners in two categories; under 18 years and 18-22 years.
• Prizes will include pairs of tickets for forthcoming dance performances in Oxford, including Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker, and dancers of English National Ballet and Flawless in Against Time at the New Theatre, and joint subscriptions to Dancing Times and Dance Today.
• A selection of entries including the winners will be published online on the Oxford Dance Writers website, and the competition will be publicised in Oxford Times and nationally through Dancing Times who will publish two winning entries online.

Guidelines for writers:

“Good dance criticism is a multi-faceted endeavour.  It involves – at a minimum – description, interpretation and value judgement.”  – Roger Copeland

The judges will be looking for:

• Flair, imaginative response
• Evidence of some informed understanding
• Inclusion of specific detail and useful information
• Quality of written English

For the full Dancin’ Oxford 2012 programme:

http://www.dancinoxford.co .uk

For information and samples of writing from the previous competition:
http://www.balletinsmallspaces.co.uk/dance%20reviews.html

For further information about the competition, and to submit entries:

Susie Crow, Oxford Dance Writers

28 Victoria Road, Oxford OX2 7QD

Tel:  01865 557098              Email:  susiecrow@gmail.com