A snapshot view of Ludus Dance
Ludus was founded in 1975 and operates as a co-operative employing a team of 18 people.
Ludus Dance is the leading dance company for young people and first-time dance audiences in the UK. The only producing company in the North West, Ludus Dance devises and tours compelling dance performances to theatres, community venues, schools and colleges, alongside an associated educational teaching programme. We tour residencies ranging from one day to one week, both nationally and internationally.
Ludus Dance also has a Dance Development Department that works with all sections of the community at all stages of life. Our work includes community projects, a regular programme of classes in our Lancaster studio, training and advice. We work with special needs groups, youth groups, and elders in residential care, amongst others. We provide progression routes for young people through our various classes and groups, as well as the flagship Ludus Youth Dance Company, the North West region’s leading youth dance company, that performed at the National U.Dance Festival in July 2010.
As one of four national dance agencies in the region, Ludus Dance is responsible for initiating, developing and sustaining an enduring infrastructure for dance in Lancashire.
The Ludus Mission Statement
"To ensure that dance is recognised as a significant force within society and to assist in the development and consolidation of dance as an art form which recognises cultural diversity and difference and is accessible to all through education, participation and recreation."
People who have worked within Ludus include:
Deborah Barnard M.B.E, Anthony Peppiatt, Kiki Gale, Nigel Charnock, Wendy Houstoun, Laurie Booth, Penny Collinson, Ruth Spencer, TC Howard, Chris Thompson, Penny Greenland, Michael Merwitzer, Sian Williams, Dougie Bruce, Lois Taylor, Fergus Early, Brendan Keaney, Jane Mooney, Sally O'Donnell, Simon Whitehead, Sue Akroyd, Tracey Brown, Sally Chance, Louise Glynn, Dylan Quinn to name but a few!
Past choreographers have included:
Emilyn Claid, Scott Clarke, David Glass, Wendy Houstoun, Shobana Jeyasingh, Isabel Mortimer, Rosario Serrano, Motionhouse, Jane Scott-Barrett, Janet Smith, Yael Flexer, Hanna Gillgren, Lloyd Newson, TC Howard.
Ludus is a partner in the North West National Dance Agency - Dance Northwest with Merseyside Dance Initiative, Dance Initiative Greater Manchester & Cheshire Dance.
Ludus is based in Lancaster in the Assembly Rooms - an 18th century building housing a dance studio, art gallery, offices, a resource centre, meeting spaces, toilets and changing rooms.
Our geographical remit includes the County of Lancashire and the rest of the world.
The Departments within Ludus Dance include:
The Dance Development Department
The Dance Development Department (DD) seeks to promote dance in all its aspects; artistic, educational, theraputic, recreational, social and political. DD provides a comprehensive range of dance activities and is equipped to work with people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds. The Department manages a programme of termly dance classes based at the centre for local communities and dance professionals.
The Touring Company
The Touring Department creates compelling dance-theatre performances alongside an educational and outreach teaching programme. The team tours throughout Britain and abroad delivering a five day residency. They have toured to Australia , Belgium , Berlin , Canada , Singapore , Malaysia , China , Kosovo , Egypt , Portugal , Germany , Holland , South America and Bognor Regis.
"Ludus know what children really, really want and they sock it to them in the most vivid, energetic way possible. Britain 's foremost dance company for young people..." Louise Bryning-The Lancaster Guardian
The Finance & Administration Department
The Finance and Administration manages all aspects of day to day company 'business' operations from finances, contracts, orders, building maintenance, stock control, wages, accountancy, general enquiries etc.
Ludus has three main key funders; The Arts Council, Lancashire County Council and Lancaster City Council.
In the past we have received grants and funding from: The Barings Foundation, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, The Foundation for Sports & the Arts, The Chase Charity, the Millenium Festival Fund, PYE Christian Trust, Wigan MBR, The British Council …
Sponsorship has been received from:
MBR Business Group, Marks & Spencer , North West Water, New Balance, Reebok, Granada Telethon, British Telecom, Whitethorn Books.
Awards
- Winner of a Digital Dance Award
- Granada TV's 'Flying Start Award' for Good Business Practise in the Arts
- Shortlisted for a Prudential Award
- Arts Council Taped Award
- Arts Council Enhancement Award
- The company currently turns over approximately half a million British pounds.
- Ludus was involved in the ground-breaking Cdi initiative creating the first ever interactive dance resource.
- Ludus has been involved in a number of BBC schools programmes on dance and music.
- Whitethorn Books published "In Touch With Dance" by Marion Gough. Ludus was the clearing house for all distribution.
- Ludus performed for HRH Queen Elizabeth & Prince Philip when they came to unveil the statue of Eric Morecambe in Morecambe. A group of young people performed a celebratory dance choreographed by H Pattern.
