Meet our Youth Board!

8th April 2022

We are so excited to have our Youth Board back in action!

The Youth Board is an opportunity for young people to come together 4 times a year to share their views, thoughts and ideas on the work and programmes of the company. It gives young people a platform for their voices to be heard and the chance to discuss relevant issues, engage with Motionhouse staff and contribute to future development of new projects and initiatives led by the company.

In our first meeting in January, we introduced the company to our new Youth Board members and explained all the different roles within Motionhouse. We also heard from the members about their experiences and what they would like to gain from being part of the Youth Board.

It’s a pleasure to be working with such passionate and talented individuals and we can’t wait to get stuck in and start to see all of their amazing visions and ideas come to life. Bring on our next meeting!

Find out more about our Youth Board members below and hear what they are most looking forward to as part of the team:

Abbie

Hi, I’m Abbie and I am an emerging contemporary dance artist. Over the last two years, I have worked with Stopgap Dance Company as an apprentice dancer, where I have gained a great knowledge of inclusive dance. I strive for my practice to be driven by equity and inclusion. I graduated with an MA from Northern School of Contemporary Dance in 2020 after graduation from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in 2019. I joined the Youth Board to hear from other youth members and have an opportunity to share my ideas and knowledge of inclusive practice.

Amelia

Hi, I’m Amelia! I attend Myton Sixth form and am currently doing 3 A Levels: English Literature, Music and Psychology, however dance has always been my priority. I am a member of Motionhouse Youth, which is such a great opportunity as I have improved so much as a dancer and performer also getting to meet so many amazing dancers because of it. I decided to join the Youth Board because I feel it’s a great experience to work closer with the company and also to learn from a business perspective how a company grows to continue its success. I am extremely excited to be a part of the process and have a voice on how Motionhouse is run!

Erin

Hi I’m Erin and I am so excited to be a part of the Motionhouse Youth Board! I’m 17 and studying business at sixth form, but have loved dance and theatre from a young age. The Youth Board is an amazing opportunity for me to keep in touch with the dance world, whilst learning important skills, and gaining the knowledge of working behind the scenes of a company. I’m looking forward to having a voice in Motionhouse’s future plans and gain experience working in ways I haven’t before!

Evie

Hi, I’m Evie, and am honoured to be part of the Motionhouse Youth Board. I love all arts and think dance is one where you can express yourself the most. I’ve danced at Motionhouse prior to this so I know the positivity and motivation they bring to every performance and am glad to be able to learn more about behind the scenes and contribute my ideas. I currently go to a performing arts school to study acting and am excited to see the emotion that is portrayed through movement and this effect on the audience. I can’t wait to share my voice and creativity with the community.

Katy

Hello, my name is Katy Watkins and I’m 19 years old. I have trained in dance all my life, focusing on Ballet and Contemporary, as well as branching out into aerial silks and hoop. I also love choreographing, teaching and working backstage in the arts in the costume and wardrobe departments.

I have been a real fan of Motionhouse for years and they are so inspiring, so I am super excited to be part of their Youth Board! I am looking forward to the experiences and opportunities being on the Youth Board will give me and can’t wait to work closely with such an incredible company. I am really excited to be able to voice my opinion and give ideas for the future of Motionhouse, as well as to gain experience in working in a professional company.

Martha

Hi there! I’m Martha, a theatre-maker with a particular interest in devising movement-driven work that facilitates important conversations, often with my theatre company, Calico. With an additional passion for social entrepreneurship, I also work in the cross-disciplinary sector as an education creative practitioner. I’m so proud to be part of the Motionhouse Youth Board, and can’t wait to amplify the varied perspectives of young people and help Motionhouse continue to grow into a place of creativity, community & comfort for all. I’m also really excited about the opportunity to gain a backstage insight into the development of Motionhouse shows to help inspire my own creative process as an artist.

Sophie

Hey! I’m Sophie and I am 16 years old. I love dancing and performing. I am currently studying L3 BTEC Musical Theatre at BOA and am proud to be a member of Motionhouse Youth Dance group. I am passionate about dance and performing being used to help and improve people’s mental health. I believe everyone should be able to enjoy dancing no matter what their financial situation, body type or previous experience; I have joined MHY Board because they believe in similar ideals and I would like to learn how to work with the Company to help young people.