A Shared Island Residency for Composers and Choreographers
Luail invites professional choreographers and composers from/or based in the North or South of Ireland to apply for Resonant Bodies / Shared Sounds, a two-stage shared island residency project, hosted in partnership with Maiden Voyage Dance. The opportunity begins with a one-week intensive residency from 20–25 July 2026 at the Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast. Following this, one choreographer and one composer may be offered an opportunity to undertake further creative development in Dublin with the Luail Ensemble in November.
Led by choreographers Jonathan Burrows and Liz Roche, and composer Brian Irvine, Resonant Bodies / Shared Sounds brings together choreographers, composers, dancers, and musicians from across the island of Ireland to explore new ways for dance and music to meet, exchange and find new creative approaches to performance. The project explores shared cultural narratives, builds meaningful connections, and fosters professional development and inclusive dialogue through guided collaborative work. Makers and performers from all forms, styles and cultures welcome, including traditional arts, improvisatory practices and hip hop.
Stage One: 20–25 July 2026 takes place in Belfast and brings together 21 professional artists for an intensive week of research and exchange: three choreographers, three composers, twelve dancers and three musicians. Working under the guidance of choreographers Jonathan Burrows and Liz Roche, and composer Brian Irvine, participants will explore collaborative approaches that bridge choreographic and compositional practice. The week will conclude with a public sharing, a community discussion, and a Youth Artist Lab on 25 July — a one-day intensive workshop for six young artists aged 16–25 from both jurisdictions, working alongside the residency artists under mentorship.
Stage Two: 9–27 November 2026 Following Stage One, one choreographer and one composer may be offered the opportunity to undertake further creative development in Dublin with the Luail Ensemble, creating a pathway toward future commissioned work with the company.
We encourage applications from professional choreographers and composers who wish to deepen their engagement with collaborative performance making, regardless of ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, race or socio-economic circumstances. We are open to discussing additional supports for those who require them
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