Interview: Q&A with Blueprint Bursary 2012 winner Cathy Waller
The Blueprint Bursary, run in partnership by East London Dance and Sadler’s Wells, has recently announced its 2012 winner as Cathy Waller from Hampshire.
The Bursary offers an emerging choreographer invaluable support in their steps to become an established practitioner, creating and touring a brand new work a result of the Bursary. The Bursary is a fantastic chance to gain the superb guidance of a choreographic mentor, and explore new pathways, demonstrated by past winners continuing with their many successes. Cathy embarked on professional training at Trinity Laban, graduating with a BA Hons in Dance Theatre, whilst simultaneously feeding her passion for hip-hop theatre. The Blueprint Bursary will provide Cathy with the immeasurable support of a mentor, training opportunities, studio space and a small budget to fund dancers and production time.
Cathy will now work towards a short new piece to be performed at various London venues including Sadler’s Wells and Stratford Circus.
Cathy, tell us about yourself. When and where did your passion for dance begin?
When I was still in primary school I started doing gymnastics and learning different musical instruments. When I was 10 I started doing modern dance, it was in the next studio from the gymnasium at my local leisure centre. A year later, I started ballet classes and shortly after that, dance took over everything. I was at the Lewis-Allsopp Dance School in Winchester for 8 years and it was the best start to my career I could have ever imagined, thanks to my dedicated teacher Wendy Allsopp. In college I studied A-level Dance amongst others and started to fall in love with hip-hop. My first contemporary class was at my audition for Trinity Laban. I feel in love with contemporary and knew that was what I had to pursue. I took my career to the next stage when starting up my own hip-hop company with a friend whilst completing my professional training at Trinity Laban.
When did you begin to choreograph your own work? Did anything trigger this?
I have always choreographed. Ever since I started dancing, I would always put on music and choreograph something. When I started getting interested in hip-hop there was nothing around, so I did the most clichéd thing, dancing to music videos and learning all the routines. Getting into music definitely started my obsession with choreographing. Trinity Laban and having my own company gave me the serious opportunity to make my own work later on. I think everything I see influences me, whether it’s good or bad, but I think being involved in different dance genres is a major influence to the way I move and choreograph.
What inspired you to apply for the Blueprint Bursary?
For the past 2 years I have always thought I would apply, but let the deadline pass me by. I was in Kenya choreographing a piece for the Tandawazi Festival in November; I looked down at my laptop and saw it was the last day to apply. I thought it was now or let another year pass by. 3 days later I got the call to say I had been shortlisted.
Tell us more about the work you will create. What is your piece about? Describe your style…
I have always wanted to work with live musicians, so that was my first plan of action. I am going to create an original soundscore and have it played live on stage. Rhythm and dynamics are really important to my work and my style, so I want to see what kind of movement will evolve from these devised intricate rhythms. I find it hard to describe my style fully. It is contemporary movement, but my experience in hip-hop theatre is clearly visible. I’m not a fan of the word fusion and I would never classify my style or work by this term. What’s interesting to me is the way in which the 2 styles I love influence each other rather than pinpointing and labeling each movement I create as a separate entity.
What do you hope to gain from the Blueprint Bursary?
I think the main thing for me is the backing and guidance from such established organisations as Sadler’s Wells and East London Dance. The Blueprint gives artists such a great platform, especially to choreographers just starting out and who may be overwhelmed with where to start when devising a new work and touring.
Your work will be part of Big Dance 2012 and the Cultural Olympiad Festival – what does that mean to you?
Anything that gives young people the chance to get involved in the arts is a positive thing, which is why I’m privileged to be a part of the Cultural Olympiad and Big Dance 2012. It will be a great opportunity to share my work with people who may not necessarily come to a theatre regularly to watch dance.
Where do you see yourself in dance in 2 years times?
Hopefully I will still be choreographing my own work, touring on a larger scale and sharing my vision with as many people as possible. I feel lucky for all the things I have already accomplished in the last few years, so hopefully the next 2, with help from the Blueprint Bursary, will bring much more opportunity.
Tell us something unusual about yourself?
I was talking to people I meet on holiday in Egypt, and we were having a discussion about religion and its history. I’ve always been interested in different cultures and religions and was shocked by how little I knew. When I got back to London I decided to sign up to the Open University and whilst studying at Trinity Laban I completed a diploma in Religious Philosophy in my spare time – not that I had much of it!
Finally, what is your favorite song to dance to? And your favorite dance show or dance scene from a film?
I could never choose a favorite song! I get obsessed with certain artists or composers and listen to them over and over again until I have a set choreography to it in my head. I do this with every song I listen to, which makes 3 hour train journeys pretty interesting. At the moment I love James Blake, and the dance film would have to be Pina. Such a beautiful tribute and collection of her work, I could never get bored of watching it.
Cathy has been nominated for the London Dance Award, as a part of the London Fringe Festival which recognises artists and performers across many art-forms who have made an outstanding contribution. Other nominees include Wayne McGregor, Akram Khan, Kate Prince and Richard Alston.
Full list of nominations
The shortlist and winners of both the peer and public votes will be announced during the summer ceremony.
If you think you have the same ambition to succeed as an upcoming choreographer, apply for the Blueprint Bursary by visiting www.eastlondondance.org
The Blueprint Bursary provides the support of a mentor, training opportunities, studio space and a small budget to pay for dancers and production. The winner will then work towards a short new piece to be performed at various London venues including the Connect Festival at the Lilian Baylis Studio at Sadler’s Wells, Jam Free venues, Blueprint at Stratford Circus and Big Dance 2012.
Interview: Jessica Wilson
