We’re shining a spotlight on Emma, who joined us on a placement in October 2024 and worked with during the creation and premiere of our new production Hidden in February 2025 at Warwick Arts Centre. Emma is in her third year at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance and we met her during the recruitment process for the Disabled Choreographer placement. Once we found out what kind of experience she was looking for, we were very happy to be able to offer her a placement with us through Rambert’s third year Placement Pathway.
During her placement will us Emma took part in a range of activities including shadowing the creation process of Hidden working with our Associate Director on the Young Choreographers project for Birmingham Hippodrome, as well as taking part in company class with our dancers.
Read all about Emma’s placement in her own words below…
Personally, I found this experience transformative and it has shaped how I envision my future in dance. The opportunity has opened doors to new possibilities within the industry and helped me discover areas I’m passionate about pursuing further. The skills I’ve gained, along with the mentorship and insight from Motionhouse, have clarified the kind of artist I want to be. Most importantly, the project has instilled a newfound confidence in my abilities, making me feel more equipped and inspired to forge a sustainable and fulfilling career.
Working in a professional company environment offered insights and experiences that I couldn’t have anticipated before entering the space. The nature of the opportunity, in particular the progression of Hidden from start to stage, has broadened my understanding and deepened my artistic and personal development.
With the invaluable support of Access Consultant Rachel Liggitt and fellow disabled artist Sander Verbeek, I gained greater confidence in advocating for access and inclusion within the arts—an outcome that has significantly shaped both my personal growth and professional aspirations.
Currently, I am in the final term of my degree at Rambert School. Upon graduation, I plan to return to the Midlands to continue developing my practice by networking and collaborating with like-minded artists and companies. I have a particular passion for teaching and choreographing, and my experience at Motionhouse has solidified my interest in production as a whole. I hope to continue to be an advocate for access and inclusion within the arts and I’m excited to explore how these areas can intersect and evolve throughout my career.