D2C 2025 - Dublin Lab
About D2C LAB
Now in its seventh year, the D2C LAB is a professional development programme for Irish and international dance artists working at the intersection of street dance and contemporary dance theatre.
Founded by choreographer Matt Szczerek, D2C LAB creates space for research, exchange, and the development of hybrid dance practices, offering selected artists time, mentorship, and training with leading international choreographers.
This spring, we are proud to welcome mentor Ques Zaalman, one of the most prominent voices in the European Krump scene – an activist, educator, and powerful creative force whose work bridges form, feeling, and community.
For the first time, D2C LAB has expanded across Ireland, delivering workshop programmes in Belfast, Dublin, and Limerick. This edition is delivered in partnership with Dance Ireland and, for the first time, Luail, making this expansion possible.
Dance2Connect (D2C LAB) is funded by Arts Council Ireland in partnership with Dance Ireland and Luail. Additional support provided by the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, Maiden Voyage and Promenade.
About Ques Zaalman
We are very excited to welcome this year’s D2C mentor, Ques Zaalman. Based in the Netherlands, Ques has been one of the most prominent members of a Krump Culture in Europe, activist and organiser behind "Gully District". For almost two decades, he has participated in and judged various international battles (SDK, ILLEST etc.) and has taught KRUMP globally at various programs alongside Tight Eyez (co-creator of Krump). He has been and still is part of various media and theatre productions: such as diverse music videos of international artists, national TV shows, performance art at Boijmans Museum and more. Most recently being the only street style dancer at Club Guy & Roni, NITE Ensemble with ‘The Underground’ in 2022 and 2024.
Morning Class
Each year, the D2C LAB Mentor also teaches a week of drop-in morning classes for intermediate/advanced dancers, Monday-Friday, from 10:00-11:00. You can book in for morning class with Ques here.
Dublin D2C LAB Participants
Emma Camerano
Grace Cuny
Maiya McMonagle
Cormac Mohally
Alessio Motta
Sam Noonan
Favour Odusola
Siún O'Kane
Alison O’Shea
Adam O’Reilly
Sybille Raphael
Josue Reis
Ilie Elena-Simona
Jessie Thompson
Louiseanne Wong
New Movements Performance - Friday April 11th
Join us for a special edition of New Movements, Dance Ireland’s platform for works-in-progress, where artists share work fresh from the studio and invite audience feedback.
This sharing marks the culmination of the seventh edition of D2C LAB, and features a new piece devised by Ques Zaalman and Matt Szczerek, developed during an intensive five-day programme at DanceHouse.
Rooted in Krump practice, with a contemporary touch, the piece explores the liberation of body and mind in difficult times of unrest.
Find out more and book here.
Dance2Connect (D2C LAB) is funded by Arts Council Ireland in partnership with Dance Ireland and Luail. Additional support provided by the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, Maiden Voyage and Promenade.
