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Liz Clark (Children's Theatre, 2016)Shiny+4

Liz Clark

Shortlisted in 2016 for Children's Theatre

Liz Clark trained as a ballet dancer until the age of 17, going on to graduate in Dance at the University of Surrey. Since then she has embraced the discipline in its many forms, as a mother, an artist in residence, a student, a dance development officer and an educator. In 2010 she formed ‘Turned on its Head’ which she now directs, giving her the opportunity to push the boundaries of performance for children under five and their families.

Turned On Its Head first touring show Shiny has enjoyed many accolades including being Dance Umbrella’s first orbital tour of London 2014 and commanding a week-long residency at the Dome in Brighton as its Christmas show. Kate Cross, Artistic Director of The Egg, Bath described it as ‘accessible, cheeky and such a joy!’

The company is currently touring Sponge nationally after it’s sell out success at The Barbican at Christmas 2016. The company works towards the democratisation of the performance space which is the common thread being woven from Shiny into the company’s work ‘Sponge’. The show was commissioned and produced by Big Imaginations, and co-commissioned by Spark Arts for children.

Liz’s inclusive vision was born out of her frustration at not being able to take her own non-hearing son to the theatre as he struggled to connect to the performance. ‘Turned on its Head’ aims to explore the parent/child relationship, which is often rich and complex, finding ways in which sensitive and empathetic child-led interaction can be modelled in performative environments. This interaction often leads to surprising theatre, where children authentic responses are valued and showcased alongside the choreography of the performers.

Liz is one of Peoples Dancing’s Associate Artist and is the strategic lead for the organisation workforce development in dance and early years practice. She is also working in collaboration with brain based learning experts from CLADAC to explore neuroscientific and attachment theories and how they influence her practice as a dancer, theatre maker and choreographer.

Liz’s practice is also featured in the ‘Inspire Me’ films of Akram Khans Big Dance Pledge 2016.