Breakin’ Convention has announced the line up for its third Back to the Lab choreographic development course, consisting of four leading UK hip hop choreographers.

back-to-the-lab-2014-line-up

Emma Jayne Park (Cultured Mongrel Dance), Gavin Vincent (Soul Mavericks), Kwame Asafo-Adjei (Spoken Movement) and Sean Graham are the four choreographers that will create new hip hop theatre work under the mentorship of Jonathan Burrows, a former Royal Ballet dancer, and Jonzi D, artistic director of Breakin’ Convention.

Back to the Lab was launched in 2012 as a platform for hip hop choreographers at the height of their career looking for new direction and equip them with new skills, approaches and concepts to further enhance their work.

“We are looking to learn from each of the artist and create amazing work from our experience and share and explore concepts and narrative with the audience through movement,” said Kwame Asafo-Adjei.

Split over two weeks Back to the Lab participants will spend the first week workshopping a variety of choreographic methods, through both practical and discussion-based lessons, challenged to try and work in different ways and gain new choreographic tools.

“Back to the Lab will see me exploring new ideas and old creations, testing their full potential and significant life cycle,” said Sean Graham. “I want to bring to the table the resource of maturity, openness and unconventional experience.”

Emma Jayne Park added: “Discovering how practice-based dialogue with other choreographers, who also question the boundaries of hip hop theatre, will reshape my perceptions and seeing Jonathan Burrows’ theories in action will definitely be two career highlights in a mind-boggling fortnight.”

During the second the participants will then put into practise their learning and devise a new work which will be shared on the performance night.

Breakin’ Convention Presents: Back to the Lab 2014 takes place 7.45pm on Saturday 8 March at the Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells. Tickets are £8 (online/telephone booking fee applies, free in person), available to buy online or call 0844 412 4300