Here are several of the questions SDT is asked regularly. If you can't find the answer to your question on the website please contact us
- What is an SDT Dancer's typical day?
During rehearsal and creation periods the dancers work from 10am - 6pm each day. They start the day with a 1.5 hour training class in a variety of dance styles and then do two 2.5 hour sessions with an hour for lunch. When the dancers are on tour or doing education work their hours vary. On a performance day the dancers will do an hour long class at 12noon and then do a technical and dress rehearsal on stage during the afternoon from about 2-5.30pm then a break for something to eat before the evening performance.
- What is a Dance Agent for Change?
SDT’s Dance Agent for Change, Caroline Bowditch is working to break new ground for dance and disability with integration at the forefront. The aim is to increase the number of disabled people involved in dance in Scotland, including those entering training or the dance profession. Caroline will develop and coordinate an integrated creative learning programme which will educate, inspire, inform and expand horizons. This SAC Lottery funded role will also actively look at research and developments to strengthen and support Scotland’s performing arts and disability network.
- How is SDT financed?
SDT is a Scottish Arts Council Foundation Company and the majority of our funding comes from the SAC.
Other funding comes from Dundee City Council and sometimes we get funding from the SAC Lottery department for projects, such as the Dance Agent for Change post. Other income comes from the fees we are paid for performances and education work.
Some of our projects are funded by charitable trusts or sponsors and we currently have funding from the LankellyChase Foundation, the Russell Trust and Iain More Associates Ltd.
- Can I speak to someone about my project/dissertation?
We get many requests for information from students and we do our best to answer questions. Please contact us by email but please do check the website thoroughly first as you may find most of your questions answered.
- When do SDT tour and where can I next see SDT perform?
The company tours from February–May and October–November each year throughout the UK. We do a two week run at the Edinburgh Fringe and international touring tends to be in the summer months, although we are touring to China and Dubai in Autumn 2009. Visit the Tour Dates page for further details.
- Do SDT run workshops and classes?
Yes, we run a programme of education work in Dundee and on tour.
Further information can be found in our Creative Learning section. - When do you hold auditions? Can I have a private audition with SDT?
We hold auditions once a year in London, usually in the Spring, and sometimes in Europe. Scottish Dance Theatre wants to be certain that dancers we offer contracts to are right for the work of the company and the dynamics of the group. Therefore the audition process involves a mixture of technique classes, company repertoire and improvisation sessions with dancers from the company. This takes both time and manpower and so we are unable to offer private auditions as we chose to put all of our energy and focus into our main auditions, making the experience as good as possible for the auditionees. We will advertise our audition dates in our Opportunities section.
- How does Janet Smith chose the choreographers that create work for SDT?
'The ethos of the company is one of shared exploration, both in process and performance; a real curiosity about creative collaboration and a desire to be truth seeking story tellers in bringing each work, devised with different dance makers - to as wide an audience as possible. The choreographers that I invite have strong individual signatures and I feel they have something of substance to contribute to the art form and to human experience. I am happy about the word "Theatre" in the company name as our work is theatrical, reveals dancers as people and seeks a flesh-and-blood, mind/body/spirit connection with the audience. (Occasionally the word "Scottish" on the other hand, has been a bit of a challenge with a few people expecting Scottish country dancing or the Highland Fling!)' Janet Smith
- Are audiences at each venue very different ?
'Audiences are always different, even when you are not travelling between countries. The dancers' art is to sound the right note in performing a work each time as if for the first time, moment by moment reacting to the moment, the music and to each other - experiencing and sharing simply and honestly, as much as one can, with the audience. There's always an added excitement when touring abroad; that question about the universality of dance and yet, even in this globalized world, the fact of cultural and aesthetic difference. We hope that our dances and performers can transcend boundaries and strike a chord with all dance audiences.' Janet Smith
- What dance training did the SDT dancers have?
All SDT dancers have various dance training, see individual biogs for details.
- How do SDT dancers train for performance?
'Technically we train in a range of contemporary dance styles evolved from Cunningham, Limone and Graham; ballet and also release- based movement and contact improvisation. The dancers have also worked with the actors of Dundee Rep Acting Ensemble. In these shared "playtimes" we have explored clowning, voice, acting and musical skills. We focus on particular skills and stamina development as we train to support the creative process and performance of each new dance work.' Janet Smith
- Do you take on school pupils/students for work experience?
Occasionally we are able to take on placements but we cannot take everyone who asks. Visit our Opportunities section for more information.
If you're interested in a placement in the performing arts, placements can be arranged through our home, Dundee Rep Theatre and would include work with other theatre departments as well as SDT. For more information contact learn@dundeereptheatre.co.uk
- I am interested in an apprenticeship with Scottish Dance Theatre, how do I go about this?
SDT take on two apprentices a year through the Postgraduate Department of London Contemporary Dance School (LCDS). See the Opportunities page for more details.
- Can I join in daily class with the company?
We like to invite other professional performers and students to take class with the company. This is not only good for the visiting dancers but can be stimulating for the company dancers to have new people around. Sadly we can’t take too many people at one time as we want to have room to move and can’t expect our resident or guest teachers to teach and coach too many people at once. If you would like to take class with the company please contact Assistant Director, Sally Owen.
