News Story

We're thrilled to welcome Caitlin Barnett and Clare Parker as our 2025 Visiting Artists! Both bring diverse expertise and vision, promising an inspiring year of creative exchange and community engagement.

Caitlin Barnett - Exploring Socio-Political Narratives in Dance

Award-winning choreographer Caitlin Barnett is renowned for her fiercely political work that resonates deeply with audiences. Her critically acclaimed piece Comrades in the Dark, based on the prison diaries of Irish hunger striker Bobby Sands, has toured internationally, making a significant impact from Belfast to Palestine. Caitlin will be developing her latest work, Even the Devil Has Demons, during her time with us. This innovative "socio-political rave show" aims to provoke thought around the impact of austerity on mental health.

With experience spanning from immersive theatre to community dance, Caitlin's approach will offer our local communities and artists a unique perspective on dance as both art and activism.

Clare Parker - Connecting Dance and the Natural World

Clare Parker is a socially-engaged dance artist with over 30 years of experience. She has carved out a space for herself at the intersection of dance and environmental activism. Her work invites audiences into a dialogue with the natural world. Clare collaborates with multidisciplinary artists to amplify the fragile ecosystems she's passionate about. Current works include Featherheads, a movement installation inspired by Britain's endangered birds, and Murmur, a multi-sensory journey into the fascinating world of fungi.

As Clare embarks on her week with us, we're excited to support her unique artistic vision. We look forward to providing opportunities for our communities to engage with her exploration of nature and dance.

A Creative Exchange with Our Visiting Artist Programme

Our Visiting Artist programme allows creators like Caitlin and Clare to immerse themselves in their craft, whether through studio time, production support, or exchange with our creative team. This flexible approach enables artists to shape their experience in a way that best supports their journey.

Throughout their residencies, Caitlin and Clare will be engaging with our audiences through events such as work-in-progress showings and social media takeovers. Their presence here promises invaluable opportunities for our community to gain insight into their work and creative processes.

Stay tuned for more updates, and join us in welcoming Caitlin Barnett and Clare Parker to our artistic community!

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