Meet Our 2025 Rooted in Movement Recipients!

Rooted in Movement is our artist support programme for North of England based movement artists who have lived experience of being Othered by the society we live in. Company of Others is an Artist-led organisation, and whilst we’re not an artist development organisation or agency, we know how important it is for artists to have time to play, discover and dream. We’ve created our artist development offer with these 3 aims at the core, with no artistic output expected.

The artist development programme consists of residencies at The Bricks (our home in Walker) and travel bursaries to enable connection and exploration for artists whose personal ancestry has roots beyond the borders of the UK. This year, we were delighted to have been able to continue to programme and offer this support again.

Now, we’re excited to introduce the 2025 Rooted in Movement recipients – three powerful artists using movement and personal storytelling to explore identity, build connection, and spark change.

Hamzeh Al Hussien

Travel Bursary Recipient 2025

Hamzeh is a disabled artist from Syria who discovered theatre, movement and performance in Za’atari camp through workshops, where he began to perform, touring shows across the camp and facilitating workshops with young people with disabilities. Hamzeh is a joyous performer who brings positivity, warmth and a lot of humour, and has countless stories to share of his incredible life. Hamzeh explores his lived experience of disability and seeking sanctuary through his autobiographical work.

‘Penguin’ was Hamzeh’s professional debut, now currently touring the UK and internationally, gaining much press, brilliant reviews and winning Best Newcomer at the NE Culture Awards. He regularly performs in panto and as an actor, clown and entertainer.

In Hamzeh’s words:

“This travel bursary gives me a chance to return to the places that shaped me, Jordan and Syria, and to sit, remember, and reconnect. I hope to find new ideas by walking through the camp and the mountains, seeing my family again, and meeting other disabled artists doing important work. I want to listen, reflect, and begin to imagine the next stories I will tell.”

Follow Hamzeh’s journey: @penguin_by_hamzeh

Mahshid Alavi

Residency Recipient 2025

Mahshid is a live performance artist, filmmaker, and facilitator from Tehran. With roots in Iranian dance and a growing multidisciplinary practice spanning live performance and film, Mahshid’s work explores emotional landscapes of migration, identity, and connection. 

Believing in movement as a powerful and universal language, Mahshid integrates dance, film, and live performance to craft narratives deeply inspired by her lived experiences while offering a broader perspective. Mahshid strives to bring people together, fostering dialogue and creating connection.

In Mahshids words:

“My hopes for this residency is to use the time and support to slow down and play—to experiment freely without the pressure of producing a finished piece.”

Follow Mahshid’s work on Instagram: @mahshidea

Alicia Meehan

Residency Recipient 2025

Alicia Meehan is a movement artist, performer, choreographer, movement director and facilitator. Drawing from physical theatre, contemporary dance and comedy, Alicia creates immersive, cross-genre experiences that blur the lines between the real and the surreal. Her work thrives at the intersection of theatre, dance, cabaret, and community-led performance, often incorporating text, props, and episodic structures to explore the complexity of identity, power dynamics, and societal expectations.

Her choreographic practice celebrates radical joy and unapologetic self-expression, blending movement, text, and visual storytelling to challenge traditional norms and champion queer narratives. She is driven to create work that connects people and fosters spaces where people feel seen, valued, and empowered.

Alicia is also a Grief Floats performer with Company of Others.

In Alicias words:

“I’m so grateful and excited to be a recipient of the Rooted in Movement programme. The residency will allow me the time and space to refine my creative practise, whilst also continue to develop my latest work What Adult Am I?”

Keep up with Alicia on Instagram: @Alicia_Meehan

Image credit: Luke Waddington

We can’t wait to see where these opportunities lead this year’s artists.

Grief Floats: Costume Assistant Call-Out

Company of Others is looking for a Costume Assistant for our upcoming production of Grief Floats in August 2025, at King Edward’s Bay. This is a paid opportunity to work alongside and assist our Costume Designer.

About Grief Floats: 

Grief Floats is a protest, an honouring, a remembering. It’s a long-term project that offers ways of reconnecting the mind and body during times of grief through workshops, discussions, and performances. It’s a gentle protest, an act of remembrance, and an offer of communal reflection set against the breathtaking backdrop of the North Sea.

The costumes for Grief Floats echo the way the sea reclaims all, breaking us down to our core components and allowing space for new life to take hold. The performers become monuments out at sea, in various stages of decay and grief, some still with their outer shells, others chipped away to reveal their core. The costumes sparkle in the sunlight, eroded by the waves.

Rehearsals: 2 days between 11th–22nd August 2025
Performances:
25th–31st August 2025

Duties include:

– Report directly to the Costume Designer.
– Safely transporting costumes to and from the production area\show area. Driving and access to own transport is a must.
– Assisting the Costume Designer with care of costumes including drying, cleaning and ironing.
– Swiftly report any issues with costuming as the production continues over show week.
– Small costume repairs as needed following and/or between performances such as attaching sequins.
– Availability to take on larger repairs as needed following daily performances.
– Assisting with dressing dancers and managing costumes following performances. 
– Flexibility with timing due to nature of the show and early/later performances. 
– Any other duties to ensure that costuming is as streamlined as possible as well as related duties in support of the wider team.

If you have interest and experience in costume design and making, and can be available for the dates above, we’d love to hear from you.

Deadline: 21st July 2025

To express your interest, send your CV to community@companyofothers.org.uk or call us on 0191 276 1524.

Volunteers Wanted – Get Involved!

We’re looking for friendly, passionate people to join our volunteer team at Company of Others!

Would you like to:

  • Share your skills?
  • Be part of exciting events?
  • Join our community?

We’d love to hear from you – whether you’re great at setting up, welcoming guests, giving directions, or just ready to lend a hand.

Upcoming opportunities:

  • Walker Youth Dance FestivalWalker Park, 19 July
  • Grief FloatsKing Edward’s Bay, Tynemouth, 25–31 August

Want in? Get in touch at community@companyofothers.org.uk or message/call 07708470477.

Save the Date & Get Involved: Walker Youth Dance Festival is back this Summer!

We’re very excited to announce that Walker Youth Dance festival will return for it’s 4th year this July. The annual ritual is a joyful celebration of the talent, power and creativity of young people in our community.

Now in it’s fourth year, WYDF takes place in Walker Park and is completely free to attend and take part in. The festival aims to give young people a platform in their own community to shine as well as reclaim public spaces for positive cultural activity. It offers our community an opportunity to celebrate and uplift its youth.

The day includes brilliant performances from our very own Walker Youth Dance Project dancers, as well as from local dance groups, guest workshops, community connection, and an ice cream van!

Save the date and put it in your diary! The festival returns Saturday 19th July 2025.

Check out this video from last year’s festival to get a feel for what it’s all about: 

Get involved

If you or your group would like to perform, or if your company would like to sponsor the festival, drop us a line at community@companyofothers.org.uk.

Celebrating Our 2024 Rooted in Movement Recipients

At Company of Others, we believe in giving artists time to play, discover, and dream. While we’re not an artist development agency, we understand the importance of space and support without the pressure of output. That’s why Rooted in Movement was created. An artist development programme for movement artists who have lived experience of being Othered by the society we live in, are based in the North of England, with a primarily movement-based practise, who want to invest time in their practice on their own terms.

Last year, thanks to our partnership with Kala Sangam, we were thrilled to have been able to expand our offer and support even more brilliant artists through residencies at The Bricks (our home in Walker) and at Kala Sangam in Bradford, alongside travel bursaries, which provide resources for artists whose personal ancestry has roots beyond the borders of the UK. To support them in nurturing and nourishing their relationship with that place, land and culture.

In the words of our Artistic Director & CEO, Nadia Iftkhar:

“Our Rooted in Movement programme tries to remove as many barriers as possible for artists to build a stronger relationship with their practise and themselves. It’s been an honour to be able to witness this year’s artists’ interests, growth and practise, and has cemented my belief in the need for a programme like this. I can’t wait to meet next year’s recipients.”

We’re proud to celebrate the 2024 Rooted in Movement recipients, whose practices are bold, thoughtful and community-centred.

Mahshid Alavi

Travel Bursary Recipient 2024

Mahshid is a live performance artist, filmmaker, and facilitator from Tehran. With roots in Iranian dance and a growing multidisciplinary practice spanning live performance and film, Mahshid’s work explores emotional landscapes of migration, identity, and connection. Her travel bursary supported the next chapter of her artistic journey, creating space to deepen her exploration of performance and movement across borders and experiences.

In Mahshids words:

“The travel bursary gave me the opportunity to reflect on my practice. I returned to England with renewed energy and a clearer vision for the future of my journey. It was an incredibly nourishing experience.”

Follow Mahshid’s work on Instagram: @mahshidea

Yuvel Soria

Residency Recipient 2024 – The Bricks, Walker

Yuvel is a Bolivian-British dance artist whose practice weaves together traditional Bolivian, Latin, and contemporary movement with an emphasis on collaboration and sensory participation. Through AJAYU Transitorio – a project inspired by Bolivia’s Day of the Dead – Yuvel uses ritual and performance to explore identity, ancestry, and the shared human experience. The residency provided time and space to reimagine the future of this long-term project and to collaborate with new voices.

In Yuvels words:

“It was a very enriching process. The residency sparked a few things for me that I am continuing to explore, and it feels like I’ve found the beginning of something.”

Keep up with Yuvel on Instagram: @yuvelsoria

Megan Brown

Residency Recipient 2024 – The Bricks, Walker

Megan is a Newcastle-based movement artist, performer, and screendance maker. Her work is deeply rooted in her lived experiences as a queer woman and mother and focuses on storytelling that centres care, honesty, and human connection. During her residency, Megan began exploring new screendance practices and continued to develop work that blends her community-focused approach with a growing interest in radical, research-led film work.

In Megans words:

I was able to tailor my residency to my needs as an artist and mother, discovering a new model of working that I am taking with me into my future work. I collaborated with local dancers to develop my work ‘it’s a boy’ and we were met by friendly staff and a beautiful space every residency day making this experience really special.”

See more of Megan’s work on Instagram: @meganbrowndances

Pietro Mazzotta

Residency Recipient 2024 – Kala Sangam Arts Centre, Bradford

Pietro is a Leeds-based dance artist originally from Italy, with a rich background in performance across Europe and Asia. Through his residency at Kala Sangam, Pietro began developing a collaborative piece with artist Xiaoyi Tong. Together, they explored cultural exchange, identity, and authenticity, using movement to reflect on what it means to hold and honour multiple cultural identities.

In Pietros words:
“This residency was a chance to explore and play with dance with no pressure at all — just pure research. It felt like the first step of a really beautiful journey.”

Follow Pietro on Instagram: @pietro_mazzotta

We’re incredibly proud to have supported all four artists and grateful to have been a small part of their development. 

Rooted in Movement Artist Support 2025

Our Rooted in Movement programme is back for another year and applications are open now! If you’re a movement artist in the North of England with lived experience of being Othered, find out more about the offer and how to apply. We can’t wait to hear from you.

We’re Hiring: Projects Producer


Join Company of Others in creating dance that moves communities.

Company of Others is looking for a Projects Producer to join our team at a pivotal moment of growth and change.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about dance, community, and co-creation. You’ll work closely with our Artistic Director to produce bold, nourishing and socially engaged projects that centre people often excluded from the arts.

We’re looking for someone who enjoys complexity, thrives on collaboration, and believes in the power of movement to instigate change. Whether you’re arranging a translator for a workshop, or imagining new ways to evaluate impact – you’ll be at the heart of our work.

We particularly welcome applications from people who are d/Deaf, Disabled, Black, Brown, Global Majority, Working Class and/or Women. If you feel excited by this role but unsure if you meet every requirement, please still apply. We value potential as much as experience.

Permanent, part-time (4 days/week)
£23,731 per annum actual (£29,664 pro-rata)
Based at The Bricks, Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne
Application Deadline: Wednesday 12 June 2025

Click below to download the full job pack and learn how to apply:
Projects Producer Job Pack

We look forward to hearing from you.