Massimo Monticelli on choreography, touring, and the Scottish Dance Theatre
Born in Bologna (Italy), Massimo Monticelli combines a deep love of global exploration with a lasting connection to his home country. Having completed an undergraduate degree in Contemporary Dance at Trinity Laban, Massimo also spent a semester in Paris at the Conservatoire National Supérieur. He returned to Italy as a freelance dancer, teacher, and choreographer after graduation, before starting his own choreographic practice in 2021. Since then, he has presented his work at Gender Bender International Festival and Romaeuropa Festival, as well as Shanghai International Dance Center and ATLAS showcase in ImPulsTanz. An associate artist of TIR danza, he currently co-produces his own works with the dance company. Massimo joined Scottish Dance Theatre in 2024 and continues building relationships between Italy and the UK. We spoke to Massimo about his varied career and the advice he wishes he had prior to beginning his studies at Trinity Laban.
Describe your career journey so far.
After my graduation from Trinity Laban in 2018, I spent another year in the UK doing VERVE – a bold programme of dance work, touring nationally and internationally – in Leeds. I then decided to go back to Italy, where I started working as a freelance dancer, teacher, and choreographer. Despite COVID, I was also able to tour abroad under different hats. To give a few examples, I was lucky enough to teach at Vanguard International Festival in Shanghai, tour with choreographer Nicola Galli in France, Switzerland and the Netherlands, and work as a rehearsal director for a few projects in Switzerland.
How did you evolve as a choreographer, from the time of your graduation up until the present day?
As a creator, I started my own choreographic practice in 2021. Since then, I’ve managed to present my works in different contexts, in Italy and abroad. After a few steps and recognitions in the industry as an emerging choreographer, I became an associate artist of TIR danza, an Italian dance company in 2023. The company co-produced my works.
You’re a dance artist and teacher at the Scottish Dance Theatre. Tell us more about your role.
I received an offer from Joan Clevillé (Artistic Director of Scottish Dance Theatre, with whom I’d worked during my time in Leeds) to join the company as a full time member in 2024. As I already loved the company, I couldn’t say no and decided to move to Dundee and start my adventure with them. With SDT, I have learnt and presented the company repertoire in the UK and abroad, performing works by Joan Clevillé, Roser Lopez Espinoza, Sofia Nappi and Meytal Blanaru, while also researching for new creations and expecting new tournées in the future.
It’s been an exciting journey after Trinity Laban, and although I miss the spices of freelancing life, as well as the ability to manage my projects and the network I built in Italy for a few years, I am now very happy to live this new experience in a rep company here in the UK, which gives me lots to learn and absorb every single day.
What was the best thing about your time at Trinity Laban?
The season of independent projects at the end of third year really reflected my favourite things about Trinity Laban: creativity and research. I had to take responsibility for my path as an emerging artist, and Trinity Laban gave me the freedom and the tools to explore my voice and my interests. The environment allowed me to make something on my own and invest in that research without being afraid of the outcome or making bold choices. This moment remains vivid in my mind as one of the happiest memories of my studies. I felt I was being given the freedom and trust to make something that counted, something that was unique and valuable. I definitely believe that it would have been a lot more difficult to invest in my path as a creative without the time I spent at Trinity Laban.
What advice would you give your younger self?
If I could speak to my younger self, I would probably tell him that things do not go as planned, ever, and that you receive thousands of nos. However, in the most unexpected ways, and with consistency, things eventually work out. If you truly believe that you’re on the right track, life ends up bringing you to the most incredible places with the most incredible people – like the community at Trinity Laban, for example. I would also tell him to be as hungry and open-minded as possible, to dive deep into every bit of information or practices that the teachers shared. Even when I didn’t think they might be that relevant. I only understood how precious some of those teachings were a lot later. Lastly, I would tell younger me to treasure every single encounter – with classmates and teachers – as these people have become my colleagues, friends, and invaluable advisors in the industry.
Main image credit: Joan Clevillé