News

Recent graduates Tommy Cattin, Thomas Page and Jay Yule join the innovative artist development scheme.

Nominated by Trinity Laban for showing strong choreographic flair throughout their training, three 2018 dance graduates have been successfully accepted onto Open Borders 2019, an initiative collaboratively developed by Artist Development and London Contemporary Dance School at The Place.

Tommy Cattin, Thomas Page and Jay Yule will join seven other newly-graduate choreographic artists in workshops, discussions and sharings, led by Igor Urzelia and Moreno Solinas (Co-Founders of BLOOM! Dance Collective and Co-Artistic Directors of Igor and Moreno), to explore and question their creative practice.

Swiss-born Tommy Cattin, who was awarded Trinity Laban’s Simone Michelle Award for outstanding achievements in Choreography during his studies, comments –

“Taking part in Open Borders 2019 is a great chance to make new connections with other dance artists of my generation. It is a platform that will help me to keep refining my expressive language through dance. This kind of support is needed in a period of transition between the academic world and the professional one.” 

Fellow 2018 graduate Thomas Page comments –

“I’m really excited to get started with Open Borders 2019 and am very grateful to Tony Thatcher [Trinity Laban Programme Leader, MA Choreography] for putting me forward for this fantastic opportunity. As an emerging choreographer, this type of support is vital in my artistic development and will be an exciting chance to learn from established industry professionals.”

Whilst completing their BA (Hons) in Choreography at Trinity Laban, Page founded Thomas Page Dances under the mentorship of dance artist James Pett, and developed work as part of the FreeSpace Programme at Studio Wayne McGregor.

Edinburgh-born alumnus Jay Yule comments –

“I am delighted to be taking part in Open Borders 2019. I’m looking forward to having the time and space for my ideas to take shape and take flight. I consider the leaders of Open Borders to be both pioneers and game-changers within the contemporary dance scene at the moment, so it is thrilling and exciting to get to know them and their creative journeys.”

Now in its fourth year, the highly-regarded programme Open Borders offers young performance makers a platform to transition between undergraduate training and a professional career. Participants are invited to connect as a community of peers, as well as form networks with visiting artists and The Place, and are equipped with the skills to be independent artists.

Participants may also have the opportunity to show work as part of Resolution 2020, The Place’s annual choreography platform.

The supportive atmosphere, outstanding landmark buildings and innovative curriculum at Trinity Laban instil technical excellence and enable creativity to flourish. Learn more about our world-class training by visiting our dance pages.

Image: BA2 Choreography 2017, credit: JK Photography