Two recent announcements from the Young Vic theatre in the capital hold exciting future prospects: director and playwright Gbolahan Obisesan has been named the Young Vic’s new Genesis Fellow and the acclaimed dance commonly BirdGang Dance Company are the Young Vic’s new Associate Company. These new creative voices will contribute fresh ideas and new energy, as well as helping other younger artists find their voice.
Obisesan began his relationship with the theatre when he directed Sus in 2009, followed by his plays Mad About the Boy and Feast. The Genesis Fellowship, a two year grant supported by the Genesis Foundation, enables the recipient to develop their craft as a theatre director whilst working closely with Young Vic Artistic Director David Lan. Opportunities whilst in post include directing a show at the Young Vic, supporting the theatre’s programming and artistic planning, contributing to the work of the Young Vic’s Directors Program and mentoring Genesis Future Directors Award-recipients.
BirdGang is the first dance company to be an associate of the Young Vic, now based in offices at the theatre. Led by artistic directors Ivan Blackstock, Simeon Qsyea, Quails (Ukweli Roach) and Kendra J Horsburgh, the company was established in 2005. It will have the opportunity to collaborate with and be supported by the theatre’s team whilst pursuing future projects. BirdGang and the Young Vic developed a relationship on A Harlem Dream, which debuted as part of Dance Umbrella 2014.
BirdGang has roots in hip hop culture, with the company interested in stimulating audiences through a combination of movement, music, film and striking lighting design, and their unique style of movement that draws on influences including hip hop, jazz, contemporary, physical theatre, spoken word, illusion, and film. The company produces performances for a variety of spaces across the UK and internationally, telling powerful stories and painting vivid pictures.