News
November 2022
Invitation to join Autin Dance Theatre’s Board
Autin Dance Theatre is at an exciting point in the company’s history and its development as leading arts organisation. We are looking to elevate the company to a new stage in order to expand our team’s capacity, build on our growing national and international reputation, and retain and reach new audiences and participants across the UK and beyond. We need to ensure we have the right skills and expertise in our governance team to move the company forward into the future.
We are looking for one board member to help support the company’s development and steer us strategically into the future. We are looking for directors/trustees particularly with legal skills, and accounting expertise.
We are keen to hear from individuals from the global majority and under-represented communities to ensure we are reflecting a wide range of voices and experiences within our governance structures.
If you would like to receive a complete info pack or chat about the role then please contact Johnny at johnny@autindt.co.uk/ or on 07557981497.
Application Process
If you would like to be considered as a board member then please send the following to johnny@autindt.co.uk/ by January 30th 2023
Your CV
A cover letter, or short film / video setting out the following:
– Your interest in the role
– Areas of specialism that you could bring to the Board
– Examples of how you meet the requirements of the role.
Details of any business or other interests which might give rise to conflict of interest, and how you would address this should your application be successful.
Download the complete info pack here
October 2022
Eko the Sea Giant - News
Our magnificent 13-foot tall puppet confirmed to appear in Amy Mitchell’s upcoming music video being shot next month.
Eko will also feature as part of a stadium performance for the Rugby League World Cup at Twickenham Stadium in December for Harlequins vs Bristol. Someone is getting excited about delivering the matchball prior to kick off on the pitch!
October 2022
Out of the Deep Blue 2022 Tour
This year we visited 30 festivals and venues with our sensational spectacle ‘Out of the Deep Blue’ and performed over 85 shows including walkabout of Eko the Sea Giant leading to our static performance with Violet. We estimated that we engaged over 90,000 live audience between April and October 2022! 🌊♻️🌎🌿💙
Thank you to all the programmers who trusted us with our cultural offer to local audiences, to all the dedicated production team members and volunteers for their support.
October 2022
Black History Month 2022
Our Education Programme took us to Old Park Primary school and as part of Black History Month. Dance artist Gemma Pilgrim ran a dance and movement workshop to 30 students from year 5 & 6, with great feedback about the children’s enthusiasm for dance, and inspiration. Gemma was happy to share her journey as a dancer with the students and inspired them to create a movement dance piece.
October 2022
Street Games Birmingham Pride
On Saturday 24 September, we brought back ‘Street Games in the Square’ but this time to celebrate Birmingham Pride!
It was an event for Network Rail Birmingham New Street in partnership with OPUS where everyone could just turn up on the day and have fun!
The event was a fabulous and colourful day of street games, music and dance with games from around the world hosted by our fabulous Game Hosts Gemma & Hank, and party music sets from EIF.
October 2022
Introducing Autin Dance Theatre’s Board
Our dedicated and talented board members come from various professional fields from arts to medical backgrounds. We value their rich their rich experience and special skills and are happy to introduce them.
October 2022
Out of the Deep Blue 2022 Tour
Our touring sensation Out of the Deep Blue visited some major festivals across the country and equally enjoyable smaller local festivals in the community too! Both our touring teams #TeamPacific and #TeamAtlantic took over many stages such as Circus Tent 
‘Windy Van Hooten’ at Shambala Festival each day of the festival to wow and delight hundreds of family audiences. During August we celebrated National Playday at Sandwell Valley Country Park where we engaged with over 5,000 children and families with puppetry workshops and performances! #EKO took part in many performances and walkabouts, and we had a pleasure to meet some amazing audiences!
October 2022
Learning & Participation Programme
Princethorpe Infant and Junior School
Dance artists Gemma Pilgrim and Rachel Angus, have been working weekly with school children from reception all the way up to year 5, At Princethorpe Infant and Junior School creating routines towards a summer showcase that happened on Friday 15th July.
All the young people performed to parents, family and friends in an end of term celebration event at the school to mark the end of year and all the hard work that the young people have put into their dance classes. We have really enjoyed being part of Princethorpe School on Fridays and we are very excited as we have already started the new term and with 2 wonderful new dance artists Helen Calcutt and Bethan Siddaway.
Raddlebarn Primary and Nursery School
On Tuesday 19th July we showcased the culmination of a Common Wealth Games project with Raddlebarn School, Birmingham as part of a carnival celebration event. All young people in the school have been learning about the Common Wealth countries and have each learnt a dance based on themes and music from a different common wealth country. Dance artists Lisa-Sofia Ziemann and Sara Rabone have been very busy teaching the young people dances related to 15 countries from Zambia, to Malaysia to Canada! We were very excited to see it all come together at the carnival event, and celebrate the richness of culture from these countries.
“We love our energetic ‘Dance Fridays’ with Autin DT. A fabulous way to engage the children. The professional dancers enthuse and motivate children and staff alike.”
Amanda Hart –Head of School
October 2022
Street Games in the Square - Birmingham 2022
At the end of July, we kicked off the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. We rocked Victoria Square Live Site with our participatory event ‘Street Games in The Square’ .
Thousands attended our inclusive and accessible afternoon of street games from around the world hosted by Gemma, Hank & Sean. The event included dance music sets from EIF and BSL interpretation. Our special guest, Eko the Sea Giant from ‘Out of the Deep Blue’ even made a few appearances!
We are so very proud of our home city, its creatives and talented people and of ALL of its beautiful communities and residents. Thank you BirminghamCG22 and Outdoor Places Unusual Spaces for trusting us to produce a remarkable and engaging moment!
Special Thanks to the whole team!
About our amazing ‘Street Games’ hosts:
Sean (Sign name – Afternoon) is a British Sign Language user, former professional wrestler. He is a youth worker for Dudley Council and a qualified referee for the Football Association.
Gemma is a professional dancer, dance teacher and choreographer from Birmingham. Her main style includes Contemporary Dance, Traditional African Dance, Soca Dance (representing her Barbadian heritage) and Commercial/Hip Hop. Gemma is passionate about teaching children and passing on her knowledge to the future generations of performers.
Hank is a conceptual artist, experimental choreographer and movement educator from the US. He is pursuing his PhD in choreographic practice research at the Centre for Dance Research (C-DaRE) with Coventry University.
Music provided by eclectic, electronic music producers EIF who have been working out of Birmingham UK for the last decade. In recent years they have had huge successes, as their sought after producing style has captured the hearts and ears of some of the city’s most renowned musicians.
From soundtracks to remixes, art installations to festivals, and their never the same live sets across Europe. Their works include electronica, neo-classical, ambient, electro-acoustic, world music, and often their clean-cut beats and unlikely instrumentation cannot fit into any known genre, yet it is exceptional in its ability to engage and intrigue the listener. Focusing on compositional structures and full frequency productions, EIF’s specialist sound design creates a unique experience.
Thanks to the whole team working behind the scenes: Johnny Autin, Annalise Cowan, Kirsten Tranter, Paulina Ozynska, Jim Clarke, Lucy Mulford & our BSL interpreters: Rachel Tipping & Emma Dunleavy-Dale.
Thanks to all our lovely volunteers: Darren Sharp, Melanie Harris, Abiola Nazarete, Sharda & Vernon Lavingia, Gursheena Nandra, Katie Kelsey, Ashley Wriglesworth, Emma Clifford, Bethan Laura Siddaway, Jasmyne Khara, Lorine Livermore & Brenda Wangari.
Our team, colleagues and volunteers also had the pleasure of appearing on BBC Breakfast.
A huge thank you to our supporters and volunteers for taking part; Angela Lowry, Matthew Peters, Lorien Peters, Owen Fear, Dharmesh Rajput, Shital Rajput, Aum Rajput, Sai Rajput, Sharda Lavingia, Viren Lavingia, George Perez, Gemma Farr, Surbhi Dokania, Ankit Didwania, Antariksh Tiwari, Tristan Aplin, Melanie Harris, Benjamin Morgan, Ann Jones, Isabella Adderley, Adeline Muzinga, Amaris Ntalaja, Manuela Ntalaja, Ronie Muzinga Willet, Jeremie Ntalaja, Nathan Muzinga, Bene Ntalaja.
September 2022
Street Games Birmingham Pride
And then we did bring back Street Games in the Square – PRIDE EDITION! on Saturday 24 September 2022
It was an event for Network Rail celebrating Birmingham Pride! Where everyone could just turn up on the day and have fun with no experience needed!
The event was a fabulous and fun day of street games, music and dance with games from around the world that everyone can get involved in, hosted by fabulous Game Hosts Gemma & Hank, and party music sets from EIF.
July 2022
Official hosts for Street Games in the square
Drum rolls 
please! Introducing our 3 Games Hosts for ‘Street Games in the Square’ – the official Festival Site warm-up party to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on Thursday 28th July from 3pm!
We’re thrilled to announce that our hosts are Sean, Gemma & Hank!
Sean (Sign name – Afternoon) is a British Sign Language user, former professional wrestler. He is a youth worker for Dudley Council and a qualified referee for the Football Association. He says “I am looking forward to meeting you all, make sure you come and say a BIG hello on the day!”
Gemma is a professional dancer, dance teacher and choreographer from Birmingham. Her main style includes Contemporary Dance, Traditional African Dance, Soca Dance (representing her Barbadian heritage) and Commercial/Hip Hop. Gemma is passionate about teaching children and passing on her knowledge to the future generations of performers.
Hank is a conceptual artist, experimental choreographer and movement educator from the US. He is pursuing his PhD in choreographic practice research at the Centre for Dance Research (C-DaRE) with Coventry University.
July 2022
Volunteers Call Out
We are looking for volunteers for the official Festival Site warm up party to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony!
If you are based in the West Midlands, are 18+, and are passionate about community participation, music & dance, then apply now to be in with a chance to be part of something spectacular in the lead up to the Opening Ceremony.
Event: Street Games in the Square
Location: Victoria Square, Birmingham
Date: Thursday 28th July
Time: 3PM* – 7:50PM (*Ideal volunteer arrival time: 2:30PM)
Volunteers will take part in 6 street games from around the world, supporting participants in the city centre and encouraging all to get involved. Each game will be led by our Games Hosts and supported by DJs (EIF Sound and Music) and Eko the Sea Giant from ‘Out of the Deep Blue’!
Volunteer Roles may include:
– Crowd Control
– Handing out props
– Encouraging people to join in
– Collecting feedback
– Taking part in the games
– Having Fun!
All games are inclusive and accessible with BSL Performance and Interpretation so that everyone can get involved and have fun! If you have any other accessibility requirements, then please do let us know in the google form (link below).
The games and DJ sets will be broken down into time slots throughout the afternoon, so don’t worry, there will be plenty of opportunities for breaks and to have fun!
If you are only available for part of the day, you can still apply to be a volunteer! We can discuss timings with you once we’ve received your application.
To register your interest and availability please fill in the google form here:
https://bit.ly/StreetGamesVolunteers
If you have any questions, please email our Producer Annalise Cowan
annalise@autindt.co.uk/
July 2022
Street Games in the Square
‘Street Games in the Square’ will have a BSL interpretation and performance by Sean Noone. If you enquire any extra assistance email us through the link below.
We’re proud to be part of Birmingham 2022 Festival and thrilled to invite you ALL to the official Festival Site warm-up party to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony!
Our pre-party event is for everyone to come along and take part in. You can just turn up on the day and have fun – no experience needed!
What’s more, we’ve got a stunning new trailer for the tour for you to check out.
- Join us in Victoria Square from 3PM for ‘Street Games in the Square’ on Thursday 28th July.
- The event will be an inclusive and accessible afternoon of street games, music and dance with BSL Performance and Interpretation. If you require any extra assistance to attend the event, please get in touch with Annalise
- You can expect games from around the world that everyone can get involved in, hosted by our fabulous Game Hosts Gemma, Sean & Hank, party music sets from EIF Sound & Music and a very special guest, Eko the Sea Giant from ‘Out of the Deep Blue’
July 2022
Education and Learning Programme updates
For further information about our school workshop programme, read our education pack here and contact kirsten@autindt.co.uk/
July 2022
Learning & Participation Programme
Princethorpe Infant and Junior School
Dance artists Gemma Pilgrim and Rachel Angus, have been working weekly with school children from reception all the way up to year 5, At Princethorpe Infant and Junior School creating routines towards a summer showcase on Friday 15th July.
All the young people will be performing to parents, family and friends in an end of term celebration event at the school to mark the end of year and all the hard work that the young people have put into their dance classes. We have really enjoyed being part of Princethorpe School on Fridays and we can’t wait to start the new year with a bang again in September!
Raddlebarn Primary and Nursery School
On Tuesday 19th July we will be showcasing the culmination of a Common Wealth Games project with Raddlebarn School, Birmingham as part of a carnival celebration event. All young people in the school have been learning about the Common Wealth countries and have each learnt a dance based on themes and music from a different common wealth country. Dance artists Lisa-Sofia Ziemann and Sara Rabone have been very busy teaching the young people dances related to 15 countries from Zambia, to Malaysia to Canada! We are very excited to see it all come together at the carnival event, and celebrate the richness of culture from these countries.
Out of the Deep Blue Education Workshops
Over the last few months alongside our tour of Out Of The Deep Blue, we have also been delivering numerous puppetry workshops in secondary, primary and special schools. Our Dance artists have had a fantastic time working across the country delivering the outreach workshops, teaching young people about puppetry and movement, and igniting their passion for the arts and climate change. Thank you to all the schools that have welcomed us in and gave us some wonderful feedback, and for our dance artists who continue to facilitate amazing work.
For further information about our school workshop programme, read our education pack here and contact kirsten@autindt.co.uk/
13-foot-tall Sea Giant Puppet comes to MAC on Sun 26 June!
Out of the Deep Blue is an outdoor performance featuring masterful puppetry and contemporary dance that tells the magical story of Eko, a sea giant who rises from the deep ocean and encounters a little girl called Violet. The show has been specifically designed for family audiences and is ideal for children & young people.
Sunday
26th June
Tickets from £9.00
Buy Now
Technical Tour Manager Call out
We are seeking a Technical Tour Manager for exciting projects in 2022 and beyond including Out of the Deep Blue, and other large-scale outdoor performance projects.Where: Rehearsals in Birmingham / Tour Dates across the UK
Where: Rehearsals in Birmingham / Tour Dates across the UK
Please email a short statement of interest (max. 250 words) along with a CV to hello@autindt.co.uk/
We are particularly keen to hear from individuals from the global majority and under-represented communities that are based in Birmingham/West Midlands.
If you would like any of this information in a different format or would like a chat about the role, then please contact Johnny at johnny@autindt.co.uk/ or on 07557981497.
Deadline for applications: 27th May 2022
We will review applications as they come in and will contact you via phone or email as soon as possible due to the fast turnaround.
May 2022
Out of the Deep Blue Tour 2022
Reaction to Out of the Deep Blue has been incredible and the wonderful non-profit Cheshire Dance said, “The performers were amazing and the way EKO moves is so beautiful and skilful – you really do bring him alive in a magical way. We really enjoyed the relationship between EKO and Violet and the message about changing our relationship with nature and the living world was really strong.”
We’ve had a whirlwind month commencing the Out of the Deep Blue 2022 tour, including our first international date at Drogheda Arts Festival in Ireland! We performed to approximately 7500 people at Now Northwich and the crowds went wild, chasing after EKO, gifting him balloons and giving him high fives!
What’s more, we’ve got a stunning new trailer for the tour for you to check out.
EKO’s been itching to get back on the road and meet loads of new friends again, so it’s a good thing we have plenty of tour dates lined up this summer!
2022 Tour Dates
Or if you want to book us…
For further information and booking, please contact: johnny@autindt.co.uk/
June 2022
This Here Festival, Bacup | Fri 3rd June
Purbeck Art Weeks Festival, Swanage | Sat 4th June
Oldham Festival – Platinum Jubilee | Sat 4th June
Walsall Arena & Arts Centre I Tues 14 & Wed 15 June
Summer in the Park, London I Fri 24th June
Furthest from the Sea, Derby I Sat 25th June
Midlands Arts Centre – MAC, Birmingham I Sunday 26th June
July 2022
Hat Fair, Winchester | 1st & 2nd July
Harbour Fest, Whitehaven l Sat 2nd July 2022
Mouth of the Tyne Festival, Newcastle l Sun 10th July
Wyvern Theatre, Swindon l Sun 31st July
August 2022
Play Day at Sandwell Valley, Sandwell l Wed 3 August
Wilderness Festival, Oxford l 4-7 August
Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF), London l Sat 27th & Sun 28th August
Shambala Festival 2022, Northampton l Fri 26 – Sat 28 August
Meet the team
Team Atlantic
Team Pacific
NO OUTSIDERS 2022
Looking for a chaotic, family-friendly way to usher in Pride month? No Outsiders is a completely free LQBTQ+ festival of creative chaos for kids between 2 and 11 (and their grownups), so be sure to show up early for a fun-filled day!
You’ll find a whole host of performance artists, from circus acts to DJs. Plus, Autin Dance Theatre are hosting a FREE disco-themed dance workshop and party 4pm – 5pm on Sunday 29th May! No booking required!
Get down to No Outsiders and boogie the night away! 🕺💃
Midlands Arts Centre,
Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH
10am to 5pm
More Info
Facebook event page
Instagram @nooutsidersfestival
Man Made Youth Company
Man Made is BACK for another residency at the Midlands Arts Centre on Wednesday 1st June and Thursday 2nd June! 💪👯♂️
Open to anyone male-identifying over the age of 12, Man Made is a FREE two-day-intensive exploring indoor, outdoor and screen dance, and the liminal spaces between them. The programme will run from 10am – 4pm on both Wednesday and Thursday.
If you know anyone that might be interested, let their grownups know. The more, the merrier!
Learning & Participation Programme
At Autin Dance Theatre, we’re passionate about awakening young people to the educative power of dance, and it shows; our educational provision in dance and movement is growing.
In Swanage, we engaged with 172 students at five different primary schools (Corfe Castle Primary, St Marks Primary School, The Swanage School & Wareham St Mary Primary) ahead of our performances of Out of the Deep Blue as part of Purbeck Art Weeks Festival on Sat 4th June.
Meanwhile at Tile Cross School, Birmingham, Gemma Pilgrim is leading a brand new after-school club. We’re excited to embark on this new adventure, and will be delivering some CPD for the teachers and Arts Awards for the young people. Dance artists Rachel Angus and Gemma Pilgrim are delivering sessions at Princethorpe Infant and Junior School on a weekly basis, engaging approximately 210 young people per week.
For further information about our school workshop programme, read our education pack here and contact kirsten@autindt.co.uk/
Outdoor Dance Showcase
We’re delighted that our highly-acclaimed production, Out of the Deep Blue, has been selected to be pitched to international promoters and presenters as part of XTRAX Outdoor Dance Showcase with Birmingham International Dance Festival and FABRIC (Dance4 & DanceXchange).
Pitch Your Work will be hosted in Birmingham and live-streamed on Wednesday 22nd June as part of Birmingham International Dance Festival (BIDF) 2022’s Outdoor Dance Showcase.
De Monfort University Dance Festival 2022
In preparation for their graduate showcase, Johnny has worked with De Montfort University Dance students to debut a brand new piece titled Purple Wave. The students have been put through the wringer pursuing their degree through the pandemic, but they’ve shown resilience and a formidable dedication to their craft that deserves to be celebrated.
The University Dance Festival on the 27th and 28th May at The Venue DMU. The event will explore screen dance and live theatrical productions, with choreography by visiting artists Johnny Autin and Marcia Edwards and DMU staff Jo Breslin and Mel Knott.
Brum Pro Class
Are you a professional dance artist, or a dance student in their second or third year looking to push themselves? We can’t recommend signing up for dance classes with Brum Pro Class enough. Push yourself to new boundaries and immerse yourself in unique forms of contemporary dance.
This week, you’ll find classes with magnificent guest artists such as Iona Waite on Tuesday 24th May, Katie Albon on Thursday 26th May and Daniel Lukehurst on Tuesday 31st May.
Book a single class or sign up as a member
Deaf Explorer
Johnny is working with self-taught dance artist-extraordinaire, Billy Read, as a choreographic mentor and rehearsal director for two upcoming projects.Billy is a Wallsall-based deaf dance artist whose creative ambitions are boundless. He’s formed his own deaf dance crew and travels the world networking with like-minded professional dance artists.
This partnership is made possible with the inspiring work our friends at Birmingham-based organisation, Deaf Explorer. They work tirelessly developing opportunities for deaf artists to receive mainstream commissions, funding, and broker relationships with arts organisations.
Donate, volunteer or just spread awareness of the organisation by following:
Micro rainbow 🌈
London-based non-profit, Micro Rainbow, is working with Johnny to deliver body movement workshops to LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers. This is just one of many social inclusion activities the organisation provides in order to mitigate the social isolation felt by these groups.
They also facilitate safe housing and connect people with volunteering, education and training opportunities.
March 2022
Man Made Youth Company
Man Made Youth Company’s next Residency is in April. The first residency of the year was a huge success – check the video if you don’t believe us! We’ll be welcoming new & old faces back Mon 11 April to Thurs 14 April 2022 (4 days / 10AM – 4PM) in Midlands Arts Centre – MAC.
Any lads aged 12+ from the West Midlands can sign up at bit.ly/manmade2022
March 2022
We are off to the seaside
Besides all the fabulous destinations above, we are also off to beautiful Brighton. Sun, sea, sand and rock candy awaits us and Eko as we take OUT OF THE DEEP BLUE to Brighton Open Air Theatre. Please share the news with any & all folks you know in the South-East, we’re planning to make a BIG splash!
Head to brightonopenairtheatre to book your tickets.
Book Now
March 2022
Upcoming tour dates
Well, well, well. OUT OF THE DEEP BLUE is off to the Emerald Isle! Eko and co are off to Drogheda Arts Festival in Dundalk, County Louth for their Irish debut. Lucky bunch. Not only that, there are also dates in Cheshire, Dorset, Stratford-upon-Avon and Winchester confirmed… that’s a whole lot of puppetry and dance up and down the country. More overseas and UK dates to be announced soon. We’re taking 2022 by the horns!
March 2022
WE HAVE LIFT OFF! LAUNCH: COMPLETE
10th February 2022 will always be a very special day for us at AutinDT. We held a book launch for “Violet and the Sea Giant” – our first children’s book – and not only was it a success, it was a joy! Writer Sally Pomme Clayton and illustrator Richy K. Chandler were in attendance, as were so many of AutinDT’s friends, family and colleagues, local teacher, kids and families; we are so grateful to everyone who came along to support. Massive thanks.
The Book is now available for purchase online at our store.
Order Your Copy Today
March 2022
New Board Member Alert!
We are thrilled to announce that Devon Nelson is back on the Board to represent for young people and regional participants. Devon formerly worked with us as our Creative Intern for over a year, and during that time was present on the Board. We are excited to welcome him back into the fold.
March 2022
BOARD OF TRUSTEES CALL OUT!
AutinDT is after some new Trustees to join the existing Board on the next phase of our development. We are in a crucial period of growth and we need folks around to help us hit new heights. We are particularly looking for Trustees with skills in finance and accounting, and the legal sector. As an organisation that does a great deal of community and participatory work, we are committed to creating a Board which represents the people and communities we serve.
More Info: Here
22 February 2022
Could you be our new Marketing Assistant?
We’re looking for a Marketing Assistant to join our close-knit team at Autin Dance Theatre. They will help devise our marketing strategies and campaigns, post engaging social media content and help raise the profile of the company and all its activities.
Our ideal candidate has a good knowledge of the arts and culture sector in the Midlands (ideally dance, but candidates with a broader appreciation of the arts are welcome), a contemporary approach to content creation, a positive outlook and a desire to grow within the role. Experience of using Photoshop, Hootsuite and/or other social media management or content creation applications is preferred.
The candidate will liaise with the Creative Director and the rest of the team in deciding how to develop AutinDT’s online presence, write copy, post across various social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter primarily) and create the monthly newsletter. They may also be called upon to help with wider company operations, such as event organisation and public performances.
Hours: Part-time, 2 days a week
Salary: £150 per day
How to apply: please send a CV and covering letter to johnny@autindt.co.uk/ & will@autindt.co.uk/
We aim to be an inclusive employer and recognise that candidates may have other ongoing regular or freelance commitments. We have advertised the role as 2 days a week. These days can be worked flexibly across the week as suits the successful candidate. Attendance to a weekly team meeting is required (currently on Wednesday at 9am)
Application deadline: Friday 1 April 12:00 (midday)
22 February 2022
Book Launch Event!
‘Violet and the Sea Giant’ – Book Launch Event Invitation
Are you a primary school teacher, a parent, or part of the outdoor arts sector? Well, you’re invited to Autin Dance Theatre’s Book Launch Event on Thursday 10th March at 6PM at Birmingham Hippodrome!
During the 1-hour event there will be activities, stalls, free drinks, a reading from the book and a special guest appearance from EKO the 13-foot-tall Sea Giant – fun for kids and big kids alike!
There will be merchandise available for purchase, and of course… the books! Beautifully illustrated, beautifully written books, ready to leave in your hands.
📧 RSVP by Friday 4th March to annalise@autindt.co.uk/ with the number of guests and any access/dietary requirements!
21 February 2022
We’re recruiting!!!
We are looking for highly creative and strong individual performers in contemporary dance, physical theatre and/or puppetry (outdoor, giant, multi-person operated) interested in working with us on our performance projects.You must be a versatile movement performer and comfortable with character work and audience interaction/play. We are particularly keen to hear from individuals from the global majority and under-represented communities that are based in Birmingham/West Midlands to join the Company for rehearsals, live performances on tour this summer and the delivery of creative outreach workshops in formal education settings and the community.Applicants should demonstrate at least 3 years of professional experience, strong dance theatre technique, partner work, improvisational and devising skills. Team players with a sense of humour welcome! These are paid opportunities.
We are seeking professional performers to express their interests in joining the company in order to expand our existing pool of freelance artists for exciting projects in 2022 and beyond:
– Out of the Deep Blue
– Parade
– other large-scale outdoor performance projects in summer 2022
– AutinDT Education Programme (Dance and Puppetry ‘Make & Move’ workshops)
Where: Birmingham/ West Midlands/UK
When: The audition workshops and interview process will take place during the week commencing the 14th of March 2022.
Deadline for applications: 10am on Monday 7th March 2022.
If you would like any of this information in a different format or would like a chat about the roles, please contact Johnny at johnny@autindt.co.uk/ or on 07557981497.
To view the full audition call out, please click below!
https://bit.ly/2022ADTcallout
AutinDT is an award-winning innovative and interdisciplinary touring dance theatre company, based in Birmingham (UK) and established since 2013 under the helm of Director/Choreographer Johnny Autin. The Company is a collaborative and project-based organisation that produces engaging and aspirational artistic performances for indoor, outdoor and unusual spaces, and provides extensive learning and education programmes in the community.
AutinDT’s vision is to transform and enrich people’s lives through dance theatre experiences. Our mission is to inspire, educate and instigate positive social changes by delivering world-class socially conscious mass participatory arts activities.
Out of the Deep Blue is a large-scale performance, featuring 1 female contemporary dancer and a 13-foot tall Sea Giant Puppet operated by 5 puppeteers. This outdoor spectacle is designed specifically for family and festival audiences and is inspired by the themes of the climate emergency and the biodiversity crisis.Rehearsals in April 2022 (w/c 4thand w/c 11thApril 2022) + Touring UK & International outdoor arts festivals in Summer 2022 (April to September 2022, over 30 tour dates confirmed)
To apply, please email a statement of interest (max. 250 words) along with a CV, headshot, and a short video showcasing your practice (max. 3 mins) to hello@autindt.co.uk/
16th February 2022
What’s that faint sound?
What’s that faint sound? You may be able to hear the cogs in the AutinDT machine whirring away. They’re going a little faster than usual as our creative year picks up pace and we prepare to R&D (research & development) a new show…
Keep following our socials for more information…
PARADE is coming.
January 2022
BRUM PRO CLASS
@Brum.ProClass is alive and kicking. 2022 is seeing the programme grow and go into overdrive. The next class on Thursday 27th January will be led by Claire Lambert and the Tuesday 1st February session has Marcia Edwards at the helm. ⠀
@Brum.ProClass launches new timetable and membership from February 2022, with TWO amazing weekly classes led by BPC’s community of amazing regional artists. Join us every Tuesday at ACE dance and music and Thursday at Dancexchange from February 1st.
Expect to laugh, sweat and leave feeling rejuvenated and ready for your day. So, if you fancy getting a kick out of your Tuesday and Thursday mornings again, get involved.
For more information or to book on to classes, www.brumproclass.org.uk is where you’ll want to go.
January 2022
UWMAT COMMISSION - Dance & Digital Project "Breaking Boundaries”
Is it wrong to pat yourself on the back? 😉
We don’t think so! And right now ADT is patting itself on the back because Johnny has been commissioned by Creative Academies Network, Arts Connect and the University of Wolverhampton Multi Academy Trust to run over 99 dance workshops for 11 schools and academies reaching around 670 children and students from Years 3, 4 and 5 until March 2022. It’s a huge undertaking and we’re so proud to have been selected. Our arts education in schools work is really going places.
If you work for a school, college or university and you’re interested in working with us or having us deliver a workshop at your institution, please email kirsten@autindt.co.uk/
January 2022
ECHO Eternal Horizons 2022
Created by CORE Education Trust, Echo Eternal is a commemorative arts, media and civic engagement project. The project is inspired by British Holocaust survivors’ testimonies recorded with Natasha Kaplinsky OBE in 2015 and 2016 on behalf of UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation. Johnny is the Movement Director for the stage performance and he has choreographed some incredible dance pieces for Echo Eternal which will be performed on Wednesday 26th January at Town Hall . More information and tickets at here
January 2022
MAN MADE YOUTH COMPANY - February half-term Intensive
Next month: MAC’s resident youth initiative, Man Made Youth Company, launches new creative residencies for young men based in Birmingham and the Black Country. Better yet, it’s all FREE! Your boys can get involved in any number of upcoming opportunities without a wallet in sight. The first residency runs from Mon 21 Feb to Thurs 24 Feb 2022 (9 – 5pm). Inclusivity is important to us and anyone aged 12+ who identifies as male is welcome and encouraged to participate.
To sign up, head to bit.ly/manmade2022
January 2022
OUT OF THE DEEP BLUE TOUR DATES 2022
Last year we ran our most successful tour ever, taking OUT OF THE DEEP BLUE all over the country and we’re aiming for this year’s tour to be even bigger and better. We don’t want to jump the gun, but we’re pretty confident it’s happening. Already we’ve had lots of interest and quite a few festivals have confirmed our appearance, among them Now Northwich Festival in Cheshire, Brighton Open Air Theatre, Wilderness Festival and Winchester Hat Fair. Keep following along on our website and socials (and stay subscribed to this lovely mailing list of course) to hear more as we announce it.
For more information and tour booking, please contact johnny@autindt.co.uk/
January 2022
MICRO RAINBOW - Delivery of Body & Movement sessions for and with LGBTI asylum seekers and refugees
This year, Johnny is working with Micro Rainbow – the leading not-for-profit social enterprise in the UK supporting the integration of LGBTQ+ people who have fled persecution and are seeking safety – on the delivery of Body & Movement sessions for and with LGBTI asylum seekers and refugees. He’s excited about the opportunity.
For more information on the organisation, head to microrainbow.org or check them out on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
For more about this opportunity, see page 50 at online Scene Magazine
January 2022
THE BOOK: ‘VIOLET AND THE SEA GIANT’
Earlier this year, we did a call-out to pull together a team to transform our live dance & puppetry show OUT OF THE DEEP BLUE into a children’s book. We feel so blessed to have had illustrator Richy K. Chandler and writer Sally Pomme Clayton fill the spots in that team.
Richy is an incredible artist, writer and comic creator whose credits include Harper Collins Publishers, Universal Music and Titan Comics, as well as over 250 Wallace and Gromit newspaper comic strips. He is the author of You Make Your Parents Super Happy!, When Are You Going to Get a Proper Job? and Lucy The Octopus. He also runs workshops in creating comics and graphic novels.
If you want to see everything he’s created go to tempolush.com
Pomme is an internationally acclaimed writer, performance storyteller and teacher who has created stories for everyone from Soho Theatre to Bloomsbury Festival to the Royal Shakespeare Company to the British Museum; honestly, her magical words are everywhere. She has written books including The King with the Dirty Feet, Winner of ‘Best Picture Book’, Oxford Book Awards 2019.
Head to sallypommeclayton.com to find out more.
December 2020
Square One at Attenborough Arts Centre
‘Square One’ is going live at Attenborough Arts Centre as part of the ‘Unexpected Tales’ program and streaming on Facebook a week later!
“I am captivated by Autin’s energy and caught off-guard by the strength of his emotional storytelling. […] If only all physical explorations of mental health held such empathetic power as this.” – Megan Edwards
Thanks to our partners and supporting organisations for helping us make this happen during these times of pandemic and crises!
