Company B
In Ireland boys have long been in a minority in dance. In other parts of the world dance is seen as a core cultural activity and frequently a particularly masculine one. This has not been the case in Ireland or in Europe in general. Company B aims to create a time and space in which young Irish males may dance. It emphasises the idea of dance as a normal and enjoyable activity for boys.
- Phase 1 consists of a series of workshops and classes, which familiarise the boys with contemporary dance as they learn warm-up exercises and stretches. They also learn to improvise and create their own movement phrases.
- Phase 2 involves a continuation of these workshops and classes but also see the beginning of work on a piece of choreography to be performed to a live audience.
A not-for-profit company, Company B works under the auspices of Dance Ireland. Ciarán Gray has been a primary school teacher, a dance teacher and choreographer for over twenty years. Over the years Ciarán has been heavily involved in youth theatre and dance, working for The Dance Council of Ireland and the National Association for Youth Drama. He recently completed a Masters in Dance at the University of Limerick. His thesis was entitled Boys Don't Dance - a statement that he believes is, sadly, somewhat true of Ireland and it is with this in mind that he has set up Company B.