HARLOW Playhouse Resident Artist secures major funding for a ‘Festival of Care’ in town centre this summer… and is nominated for two National Dance Awards!

Rhiannon Faith Company, who have been Resident Artists at Harlow Playhouse since 2018, have been nominated for two prestigious National Dance Awards for the second year running. Amongst only 5 companies across the country, RFC are up for ‘Best Independent Company’ and ‘Best Dance Film’ for their most recent show DROWNTOWN.

Rhiannon says “I couldn’t be more pleased to have been nominated in two categories again – it’s brilliant to see the company’s work being recognised after a really hard couple of years and I can’t wait to get started on my next new creation in Harlow!”

The news comes as the company secures funding from Arts Council England, National Lottery Community Fund and Essex Arts & Cultural Fund to hold an innovative new Festival of Care in Harlow this summer, to include workshops, activities, and a major new dance show that will feature local people alongside seasoned performers.

Rhiannon, whose choreography explores aspects of contemporary life and society, will begin work on her new project this month by offering free creative workshops at Harlow Playhouse to local residents, to start exploring themes of loneliness and isolation. She welcomes anyone to come along and join in, to share and celebrate positive stories of care and community in Harlow. Rhiannon says:

“The workshops will include a bit of creative writing, some movement, but mostly chatting! We’ll hold a ‘care cafe’ after each weekly workshop, a way for participants to socialise with each other and discuss the themes that emerge over a cup of tea. Our company counsellor will be on hand to offer support to anyone who needs it, and there’ll be opportunities for participants to perform alongside a professional cast of dancers in the summer if they want to, but no experience is needed.”

Weekly workshops will take place at Harlow Playhouse and will be free to attend.

The National Dance Award winners will be announced at a live ceremony in London on 13 June 2022.