Etta Ermini Dance Theatre E: M:

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3 Quotes: Roadworks is a charming, quirky story of rivalry and physical skills, performed with a fresh directness. Eckhard Thiemann, International Producer & Promoter Lambeth Arts were pleased to support the development of Roadworks as part of the Lambeth and Southwark A-Z of Dance in The piece is dynamic, fun and combines disciplines in a unique and accessible way. Rosella Hart, Lambeth Arts The combination of Hip Hop Dance and BMX stunt riding was really exciting. Bonita Cattle, Redbridge Arts Development Officer Roadworks: Roadworks has been under major construction and without any further delay you can now experience the revamped piece for Roadworks - is a quirky and humorous engagement between a dancer and a BMX rider, devised and directed by Etta Ermini. The dance theatre piece incorporates acrobatics, B-Boying, Contemporary dance, BMX-ing, music, clowning and physical theatre. Through a sequence of humorous events, an entertaining engagement unfolds amongst two characters that use their 'art-form' as a technique to communicate. Inspired by the Hip Hop battle format - a multitude of creative expression is brought to life as they battle for their place on the road. Roadworks has been causing major traffic on tour since 2010 and has been performed at a number of venues. In majority, the piece has been self funded and has received support from Big Dance Micro Grants, Laban, Blue Elephant Theatre and various local authorities. Roadworks is available as a 7 minute, 15 minute and or a 30 minute piece and can be performed both outdoor, indoor and public spaces. It works especially well for cross art form, multi disciplinary festivals and even specialists events as it promotes collaboration and cross art-form practice.

Choreographer/ Artistic Director Statement: With a tongue and cheek approach I wanted to highlight our current street culture, and how people tend to make instant judgements to an individuals choices.

4 Choreographer/ Artistic Director Statement: With a tongue and cheek approach I wanted to highlight our current street culture, and how people tend to make instant judgements to an individuals choices. For example, the way someone pushes past you on a train, to one s choice in fashion - to what music someone is listening to, even sometimes the way someone walks. There are many parallels in the attitude we adopt to the way we deal with these assumptions. It is the same with these characters. This was a chance to uncover the stereotypes we build in our mind and break them down in through a few moves, words and music. Etta Ermini, Artistic Director The Company: Artistic Director & Choreographer: Etta Ermini Dancer: Fabrice Omores, Eric Johnson BMXer: Yinka Thomas This is an international company based in London. This includes: Nigeria, West Indies, Europe. All artists have experience of touring in the UK and Internationally and have worked for professional companies including Upswing, Streb NY, Xena Production and Tangled Feet.

5 Company Background: Etta Ermini trained in Performing Arts in Brussels, Belgium ( ) and completed her dance training at Laban in She then went on to complete a MA in European Dance Theatre Practice at Laban in Etta Ermini Dance Theatre was founded in 2005 with the aim to explore human relationships through cross art form storytelling techniques. The physical theatre company works with an interdisciplinary approach and examines relationships through dance, theatre, spoken word and other creative disciplines. In extracting elements of the absurd, the Company uncovers the dark humour in dramatic events and together with audience interaction weaves this into a series of theatrical vignettes for a range of audiences. The company is committed to making fun and entertaining work that appeals to all ages and backgrounds. The Company aims to make work that can be presented both indoor and outdoor and that has universal appeal in its execution. Etta Ermini Dance Theatre has performed and delivered workshops in London, UK and abroad. Etta also teaches contemporary dance, choreography and physical theatre in secondary schools and HE institutions. Key Selling Points /Messages Cross art form Funny For all ages Audience interaction Presented both indoor and outdoor Bold & engaging street theatre Celebrates upcoming Olympic theme - combining arts, sports meets culture Community engagement through workshops High energy Bespoke workshops packages available

6 Education Workshops with the Roadworks Team Alongside the performance, the workshops can be bought in on an individual basis or a pick n mix selection based on requirements and interest. (please see below) Physical Theatre workshop led by Etta Ermini (1.5hr) Participants will explore the use of theatre, text and movement as storytelling techniques and theatrical devices. Experimenting with stimuli and improvisation, physical and theatrical material will be devised and shared. Dress code: Loose comfortable clothing & trainers. Hip Hop Workshop led by Fabrice Omores: (1.5hrs) Participants will focus on several Hip Hop practices including locking, popping and B-boying through a dynamic and acrobatic approach. Floor and footwork will be combined with short warm-up routines to improve stamina and movement memory. By the end of the workshop participants will be able to perform a routine using all techniques above. Dress code: Loose comfortable clothing & trainers. BMX flatland workshop led by Yinka Thomas: (1.5hrs) Participants will explore the basic skills of BMX flatland riding. We will introduce tricks such as handle bar spins, bar flips and hitchhikers as well as cyclones for the more confident riders. Sal has won several BMX flatland competitions and has been performing in Roadworks since March Participants need to bring their own BMX bikes. Dress code: Loose comfortable clothing & trainers. (No helmets required) B-boy/acrobatics workshop led by Eric Johnson (1.5hr) In this high-energy workshop participants will learn to execute freezes, jumps and basic acrobatics such as cartwheels, flips, handstands and twists. Val, who is a tricker (a marshal arts and B-boy expert) has performed for famous Hip Hop artists such as Masta Ace and KRS-1. Participants will focus on safe practices essential to the successful learning of these ambitious skills. Dress code: Loose comfortable clothing & trainers. Etta Ermini Dance Theatre s team was invited to facilitate several workshops with school pupils. The project consisted of working with young people that would not normally engage with dance. The combination of Hip Hop Dance and BMX stunt riding was really exciting. The pupils spent 2 full days training and took on board the challenge. These young people who usually have confidence issues, excelled and showcased a choreographed routine of tricks in front of the whole year group. The boys could relate to the tutors, took on board instructions and thoroughly enjoyed the workshops. Bonita Cattle - Redbridge Arts Development Officer

7 2010/13 Tour List: Harrow Street Festival (2013) Commission London Bridge Live Arts (2013) Commission by Broadway Barking Theatre (2013) Barbican: Dance Nations (2013) Bradford Urban Festival (2013) Fuse Medway Festival (2012) Paralympics opening ceremony: Picadilly Circus Circus (2012) City of London Festival (2012) Fiesta del Pilar, Spain (2012) Woking Dance Festival, Woking Town Centre (July 11) Frome Festival, The Merlin Theatre (July '11) Dromos Festival, Crawley (July '11) Bike the Borough (June '11) Atelier Festival, Romania (June '11) Richdance, Live Room, Twickenham (May '11) Artscene Youth Theatre Festival, Belgium (April '11) Collabo, Stratford Circus (April '11) Richmix (March '11), Sprint Festival (March '11) Breakin Convention UK tour (October and November '10) Live Vibe, Peacock Theatre (July '10) Redbridge Dance Festival, Kenneth Moore Theatre (July '10) Abundance Festival, Sweden (June '10) Big Dance (multiple performances) (June & July '10) Waterloo (July '10) Small Award for performance of Roadworks in unusual spaces GDA Cabaret (March '10) The Blue Elephant Theatre (March '10) Technical Specifications: (Outdoor & Indoor) Minimum space: 10m x 10m Floor: Smooth Surface (not grass) PA system (amplification with line in for instrument) Chair x 1 Stewarding (to be discussed)

8 Links to Videos: Roadworks promo: (copy and paste link) Dance and BMX workshop promo: (copy and paste link) Bookings: The show is available for touring from March October 2014 For bookings or for further information please contact: Etta Ermini Dance Theatre E: M: W:

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