Call Out: Women & Girls for New Production HELD
Company of Others are looking for women and girls with family connections to take part in our new dance theatre production, HELD.
We are inviting family duos (for example mother & daughter, grandmother & granddaughter) who are People Seeking Sanctuary, have lived experience of displacement, and/or are from the Global Majority, living in Gateshead, Newcastle or Stockton.
What is HELD?
HELD is a gentle, caring dance theatre project about holding and being held – by family, by community, and by place.
The work will be co-created with the women and girls taking part. This means we make the work together, slowly and carefully, listening to everyone involved. You do not need to have performed before.
What will the first workshops be like?
The first part of the project will be playful recruitment workshops during the April school holidays led by Company of Others’ Artistic Director, Nadia Iftkhar.
These sessions will:
- Be fun and welcoming
- Include movement, games and creativity
- Be a chance to come along and see if you enjoy it
You do not need to decide now if you want to perform in the final show.
This is a chance to try it out.
Dates: Monday 6th – Friday 10th April (You do not need to attend every session during this week to be considered for the project)
Food and refreshments will be provided.
Interpreters will be available.
If you are based in Stockton, we will always invite you to join our workshops that take place at our space in Walker, Newcastle, and we can accommodate travel. However, it is not essential to attend, and we will be announcing workshops in Stockton soon.
Who can take part?
We are looking for:
- Women and girls with family connections (anyone who identifies as women and/or girls)
- Girls aged roughly 6–12
(If your child is older but you’re interested in taking part, please still get in touch) - Who are:
- People Seeking Sanctuary, have lived experience of displacement, and/or from the Global Majority
- Living in Gateshead, Newcastle or Stockton
- Physically confident moving their bodies.
About Us
Company of Others is a dance theatre company based in the North East of England, led by Artistic Director and Choreographer, Nadia Iftkhar.
We make work with people who have been othered by society, creating performances that share real stories through movement, words and care.
Our values are Artistry, Equity and Integrity.
Company of Others has 10 years of experience working with children and young people, including through our free Walker Youth Dance Project.
Since 2016 we have collaborated with People Seeking Sanctuary in every strand of our artistic program. In 2023, we became a Dance Company of Sanctuary.
We work with care, kindness and respect.
We believe in creating a welcoming space where everyone’s voice matters, and where art is made with communities, not about them.
How to get involved
If you are interested, please complete our Expression of Interest form.
Taking part in the form does not mean you are committing – it is just the next step to start a conversation.
If you have any questions, or need help filling in this form, please contact us at: community@companyofothers.org.uk / 01912761524
Invitation to Visit
If you’re interested in taking part in HELD, or if you’ve already applied and would like to find out more, we warmly invite you to visit our space and meet some of the team.
You can come along to one of our drop-in sessions:
- Tuesday 24th March (11:30am – 1pm)
- Thursday 26th March (3pm – 4:30pm)
- Monday 30th March (10:45am – 12:15pm)
- Thursday 2nd April (3pm – 4:30pm)
Address: The Bricks, c/o St. Anthony of Egypt Church, Belmont Street, Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 3SN
If you’re travelling by bus, the No. 12 and Q3 stop closest to The Bricks on Walker Road. From there you turn onto Belmont Street. The Bricks is in St Anthony of Egypt Church Hall which is about halfway down the street on the left-hand side.
You’re welcome to arrive at any point during these times, and you don’t need to stay for the full session.
This is a chance to see the space, ask questions, and get a feel for the project before workshops begin in April. We’d love to meet you.