Next in our Alum in Action series, we speak to Gary Clarke - Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Gary Clarke Company and award-winning Choreographer. His work has toured extensively both nationally and internationally to a variety of prestigious venues and festivals including Sadler’s Wells, The Queen Elizabeth Hall, The Royal Opera House, The Queen Elizabeth Hall and The Barbican.
Gary spoke to us about his experiences and memories as a student at NSCD and how it has helped shaped his career. He also gave advice to potential and current students aiming to pursue a career in dance.
What made you chose NSCD?
I knew that NSCD was built on Nadine Senior’s reputation, introducing dance to working class kids in Leeds and through expression and creativity, that’s what really drew me to the school. Nadine interviewed me and her approach and warmth won me over - I felt like I was walking into a family, there was such a sense of care and nurturing, so it was a natural fit for me being from Yorkshire.
What are your overall memories of NSCD?
I had an incredible 3 years with so many memories. I met amazing friends who I still work and connect with today, and there were so many highlights. It gave me a solid foundation to build a career, and we were all hungry and thirsty as young creative artists, so every day was a joy. Thinking back, it felt like a real privilege to be there every day. It had a really good balance of being creative and nurturing individual artistic voices, with rigorous dance training. The laughter and camaraderie were such highlights.
How did you realise your ambitions?
Working with incredible staff, the faculty there were excellent teachers and people who’d worked in the industry, so they had so much experience. People like Sharon Watson had such a sound knowledge and similar passion for the artform that drove us all forward. There were also wonderful visiting choreographers who really allowed so many of us to have a very clear pathway. NSCD produces excellence and encouraged all of us to strive to achieve really high goals and push us creatively and physically. They really championed me when I wanted to choreograph and that became one of my core strengths, as well as dancing.
Is there anyone at NSCD you credit?
Nadine Senior. I was lucky enough to be one of her last students at the school before she retired. I’m an NSCD Governor now so my love for Northern runs deep and I really appreciate what Nadine has done for the dance ecology and the sector. She created opportunities for dancers and dance to flourish.
Your latest piece - DETENTION - what is it about and what can audiences expect?
DETENTION explores the effects of Section 28 on the LGBT+ community and how it impacted them. It is a sequel to COAL and WASTELAND, and what unites those pieces is Thatcher’s government, the political landscape, and how I was personally affected by Section 28 by joining the past with the present and how it shaped my childhood and early adult years. I’m really connected to the communities I’m making work about and want to keep those memories alive.
The dance in DETENTION is incredibly physical; the body is a tool for expression, pushing physical language to extremes. It’s visceral high-energy movement that tells stories and because I lived through it, it shaped so much of how my family lived our lives. It's a rollercoaster ride and is a rich mix of movement theatre and visual design.
The cast is an intergenerational mix of people from the community as they are the heart of the subject matter, and I wanted there to be a real authenticity to the piece by them sharing their stories and reconnecting with their pasts so they can become advocates for change.
Performing in DETENTION are dancers Gavin Coward (also Artistic Associate), Alexandra Bierlaire, Alex Gosmore, Mayowa Ogunnaike, Imogen Wright, and actor Lewey Hellewell (Narrator) with El Perry (Thatcher on film) and Sarah Squires (Teacher on film).
Many of the dancers are NSCD Alum. You can read more about them below:
Alexandra Bierlaire - Dancer
Alexandra Bierlaire is an interdisciplinary dancer and maker from Brussels. She started dancing at the Ballet Conservatoire in Brussels, before moving to the UK to study at BA (Hons) in Contemporary Dance at Trinity Laban graduating with first-class honours and most recently graduating with an MA in Interdisciplinary Dance Performance from Northern School of Contemporary Dance in 2024.
Gavin Coward - Dancer and Artistic Associate
Born in Leeds, Gavin started disco dancing in the late 80s at his local community centre, he then went on to train at the Northern School of Contemporary dance, where he graduated in 2001. He has been contributing to the UK dance sector for the the last 22 years as a dancer, choreographer, mentor and teacher.
He makes work for festivals, outdoor settings and experimental short films under the company name of Paradox Pictures and he is a collaborator, champion and creator with Curious Arts a charity developing LGBTQIA+ arts, artists and communities across the North of England.
Alex Gosmore - Dancer
Alex started dancing in his hometown of Bristol before moving to Leeds to train at Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Following this, he toured with VERVE where he performed works by Sita Ostheimer, Alesandra Seutin and Akram Khan.
He first worked with Gary Clarke for his professional debut in ‘Chronicles’ at the Lawrence Batley Theatre (2021) and has continued a working relationship with the company since. He also performed in ‘Palace Of Varieties’ and now joins the cast of DETENTION.
Imogen Wright - Dancer
Imogen Wright (they/them) is a freelance artist based in Leeds, having completed their training at Northern School of Contemporary Dance in 2021. They continued their journey with VERVE, NSCD’s postgraduate company, touring internationally with works by Sita Ostheimer, Alesandra Seutin, and Akram Khan.
Catch DETENTION this autumn - Tour dates here
