EVOLVE London

Monday 24 March, 10.30am-1.30pm

A free career development workshop for professional dancers.
Gain practical tools, insight and inspiration.

Location: Prince of Wales Theatre (The Delfont Room), Coventry Street, London W1D 6AS (currently showing The Book of Mormon / less than 5 mins walk from underground stations Piccadilly Circus & Leicester Square).

'I went to the DCD EVOLVE workshop in Leeds and had a really inspiring day. Was really nice to speak to other professionals in different types/stages of career. Really opened my eyes to what I’m capable of already and what I could do in the future! Also really fab guest speaker.'

Previous EVOLVE workshop attendee

The EVOLVE workshop is an opportunity for dancers to discover your potential, explore career pathways and unlock new possibilities, in an energised, open and safe environment.

Connect with peers, reframe your mindset, and be inspired for your future.

The workshop will be expertly facilitated by experienced coach (and former dancer) Isabel Mortimer, and also feature a Guest Speaker sharing their career journey in and beyond dance.

For all professional dancers, working in any genre of dance

EVOLVE allows dancers the time and space to:

Think and talk about the journey of a dancer’s career with like-minded people
Be inspired by real life stories from DCD retrained dancers
Reflect on your own achievements, strengths and transferable skills
Learn some practical tools that will help you develop your own personal action plan
Explore how to manage a sustainable, lifelong career, beyond performance
Feel supported and expand your network

Facilitated by DCD’s Director of Coaching, Isabel Mortimer

Isabel enjoyed an extremely successful 22-year career as a professional dancer and choreographer before becoming a certified Personal and Executive Coach CPCC. She is a DCD beneficiary and a Clore Leadership Fellow.

Isabel has endless energy for people realising their unique potential, and pursuing the powerful impact they create in the world, when they unleash that focus, flow and drive.

Theme: Stepping into your courage

What does it mean to embrace your courage and step into your dreams?

Understanding your strengths is key in progressing towards your goals. Gain the courage to take that first step into the unknown, understand how to manage risk, navigate an unfamiliar journey, gain confidence in your abilities and trust your intuition.

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out…
Success doesn’t come to you, you’ve got to go to it…
You have to believe in yourself when no one else does…
The expert in anything was once a beginner…

Courage means having a go, taking a risk, taking a step out of your comfort zone and into the unknown.

Take that first step into your courage and join us at EVOLVE. We would love to see you!

Guest Speaker – Cameron Ball

Cameron will discuss his experience and advice, drawing on his own career transition from dancer to freelance producer, educator and editor.

As a dancer, Cameron performed in musicals including Cats, 42nd Street, A Chorus Line, Hello Dolly and Chess, and dance performances at the Royal Opera House, Royal Albert Hall and Sadler’s Wells.

With a DCD Retraining Grant he completed a Professional Certificate in Marketing. Cameron has subsequently worked with One Dance UK on communications projects and as a Festival Manager, worked freelance in arts management, and completed a MA in Culture, Policy and Management with a focus on dance careers. He is a mentor, and teaches and lectures at conventions, conservatoires and universities. In 2024 Cameron became Artistic Director of MÓTUS Dance.

Accessibility information

DCD wishes to remove barriers to attend. We want you to feel safe and supported at our events. What do you need to engage with us at your best? Please let us know.

We can provide bursaries for travel, childcare and accessibility needs or adjustments. Please contact us for further information.

You can contact us at dancers@thedcd.org.uk

The venue has a lift from the Foyer (ground floor) to the Delfont room, where the session will be held (below ground level).

The Folies room, above the Foyer, is our designated quiet space for participants to use as they need (please note that the lift does not go this floor, so this room is only accessible via stairs).

Any questions please contact: dancers@thedcd.org.uk

This Event is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, with additional support from the Royal Opera House Benevolent Fund.

Photography: Sophie Bradbury, EVOLVE workshop.

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