Gary Clarke Company is committed to providing professional development opportunities for people training or working within the arts. We understand the significance of growth and aim to support individuals wanting to enhance their learning and progression.
Mentoring
Gary Clarke Company have extensive experience in mentoring emerging and established independent dance and theatre makers as well as touring companies and arts professionals.
Through bespoke and tailor-made mentorships, we aim to provide a supportive and nurturing environment for each individual or company, regardless of their experience, to explore their vision, artistic voice and next steps in their creative industry journey.
We facilitate and encourage in-depth conversations around visioning, processes, choreographic and theatrical development, areas of improvement, forward-thinking, progression and planning whilst also highlighting and celebrating strengths and achievements. We encourage each individual or company to be at the forefront of their own learning to help independent thinking and growth.
Mentorship’s are led by Artistic Director Gary Clarke and members of Gary Clarke Company’s core team and take the form of initial consultations, studio practice and regular face to face and online meetings. Mentorships can vary in length and are subject to company activity.
Other previous long-term mentorships under specific led programmes have included:
- Studio Wayne McGregor PEER Mentoring Programme
- DanceXchange / FABRIC Mentoring Initiative
- London Contemporary Dance School – MA Dance Performance Programme
- Tees Valley Combined Authority ASPire Programme for Anthony Lo-Giudice Dance
- Hull Dance and Dept Arts Mentoring Initiative – Non Applicable’s
Artistic Director Gary Clarke also works as an Artistic Advisor / Outside Eye providing invaluable feedback on work in progress. Through initial consultations with each artist or company, Gary is able to ensure that he can give the right critical and constructive feedback in a progressive and supportive way, enabling each artist to make clear, informed decisions about the work they are creating.
For more information on our Mentoring and Artistic Advisor / Outside Eye opportunities please contact Laura Barber on laura@garyclarkecompany.com
Gary Clarke and Nick Mcerrow in Mentoring session. Photo: Elly Wel Photography
Gary Clarke in Mentoring session. Photo: Ben Tolkin
“Gary was an incredibly generous mentor, going above and beyond to ensure I felt equally supported and challenged. He helped me plan a structure that allowed me to test ideas and a freedom within that to play. I would strongly recommend working with him as a mentor - he is a gifted, intelligent artist and a fun, friendly collaborator.”
“Gary guided me with encouragement and enthusiasm. He took time to understand me as an artist allowing for greater confidence and belief in myself and my art. I felt seen and heard and he genuinely cared about what I was trying to achieve. I had some life changing moments in the studio. ”
“Gary Clarke is an exceptional artist and person. Firm but kind in his approach, he is the perfect person to bring into a process and give guidance, at whatever stage you are at. There is deep integrity to Gary, dance and art are of the utmost importance to him; being in his presence makes you and you work the better for it. ”
Placements
Gary Clarke Company offer unique placements for students, recent graduates and industry professionals.
Placements can be a great way to learn new skills, broaden thinking, gain inspiration and learn about the creative industries first hand whilst connecting with new networks and approaches. We aim to create an open, welcoming and nurturing space where people feel fully integrated into the company, allowing them to enjoy their time with us with ease and comfort.
Placements vary in length and we work in partnership with each individual to create tailor-made schemes ensuring that the content and nature of activity is relevant and suitable.
Placements can can cover a wide range of opportunities for learning including:
- Professional Company Classes
- Studio Observations
- Shadowing (including: Artistic Director / Executive Producer / Production Manager/ Engagement Manager)
- Understudying
- Learning repertoire
- Choreographic insights
- Producing and Production insights
- Engagement / Outreach insights
- One to One sessions
Previous selected placements have been in partnership with:
- Northern School of Contemporary Dance
- London Contemporary Dance School
- Trinity LABAN
- De Montfort University
- Leeds Beckett University
- Newcastle University
- Coventry University
- Lila Dance
Please note: Due to capacity we can only offer a limited number of placements throughout the year and placements are subject to company activity.
For more information on our Placements opportunities please contact Laura Barber on laura@garyclarkecompany.com
Jacob Phillips. Photo: Dorèja Atkociǔnas
“The placement was an incredible learning experience for me. It highlighted the importance of being open, collaborative and able to adapt to change. I had the opportunity to dive deep into the creation process from many different perspectives and work with different professional artists. It was truly invigorating to develop my own creativity and physicality in the professional setting of an established dance company. Everyone made me feel so welcome and encouraged me to share my thoughts and perspectives which I really appreciated. I can't express how inspiring and cathartic my experience was. I am so thankful for my placement as it has shown me what’s involved in the life of a professional dance company. It has given me confidence in my practice and made me further realise the power of collaboration and the importance of being adaptable and open to learning.”
Professional Class Programme
During creation and rehearsal periods, Gary Clarke Company offer a number of FREE professional company classes for professional dancers and students in dance training.
Attending company class is a great way to maintain technical standards, further connect with the company and network with new people and creatives.
Classes are contemporary in style and are led by members of Gary Clarke Company and experienced guest teachers.
Classes are usually 1.5 hours and take place in studios throughout Yorkshire.
Due to capacity, Gary Clarke Company can only offer a maximum of 10 places per class and is on selection first come first served basis. Classes are at a professional level, therefore selection is based on level of experience in contemporary dance styles.
Classes are usually promoted on our news page and across all of our social media channels.
The company are currently exploring ways in which to deliver our Professional Class Programme on a more regular basis in our home region of South Yorkshire.
Note: Gary Clarke Company advises that anyone taking part should be in good physical condition and able to safely participate. You should consider consulting a medical professional before engaging in any new form of physical exercise to make sure it is suitable. When you join our company classes you agree to take full responsibility for your own health and safety and any such injury or accident which might occur. We shall not be liable for any claims for injuries or damages resulting from or connected with participation in the classes. We also request that you do not attend class if you are unwell.
Gary Clarke in Professional Class. Photo: Josh Hawkins
“Free open-class programs like this are crucial in today’s dance industry. They foster community among dancers and support freelance artists in their training, athleticism, and artistry. The fact that they were free made me feel a strong sense of belonging and care from the company’s team, who clearly had no other goal than to help and contribute to the dance industry. It was incredibly enriching and inspiring.”