Second Hand Dance is announcing that it is moving to a Co-Director leadership model. This is in recognition that the roles of its two leaders, Rosie Heafford and Claire Summerfield often overlap and are not completely defined by the terms Artistic Director and Executive Producer. Speaking about the change, the Co-Directors said:
“I’m really excited about this new co-leadership model, and how it will facilitate an inclusive company structure allowing us to be disabled-led. Plus, I love working with Claire and bouncing ideas around – Second Hand Dance wouldn’t have achieved all we have the last 10 years without her. Becoming Co-Directors feels like an acknowledgement of how we work together, combining and complementing our skills. Here’s to the next 10years!” Rosie Heafford, Co-Director
“The word ‘producer’ has always been a nebulous one – a term that often fails to encapsulate the relationship between artist and producer; and the intersection between these roles when you run a company. In the case of Second Hand Dance, the shift to a co-director model truly sums up this dynamic whilst at the same respecting the individual’s skill and talents. Co -directing allows space for other influences and perspectives, enabling a more diverse, inclusive leadership. I hugely respect Rosie’s talents – not only for making exceptional work for young audiences, but her tenacity, mischievous attempts at upending the status quo and her leadership style. I’m honoured to be sharing co-direction of Second Hand Dance with her”. Claire Summerfield, Co-Director
As well as launching a new co-Directorship model the company is excited to announce the appointment of its first Associate Artist, Takeshi Matsumoto, who will be collaborating with Rosie on the creation of the company’s new production, due to premiere in Feb 2024. Takeshi Matsumoto is a Japanese dance artist and a dance movement psychotherapist who has experience in working with children with autism and learning disabilities both in the UK and Japan. As a performer, he has worked with Christian Duarte, Darren Johnston, Beatrice Allegranti, Paul-Andre Fortier and Second Hand Dance and is also a collaborator with Hagit Yakira. During 2022 – 2023 he was an associate artist with Vital Sparks, a programme for artists who want to enhance their understanding of children’s arts.
Alongside creating contemporary dance performances his digital choreographic work includes “We Belong” – a dance film screened at various festivals across the UK, USA, Canada and Thailand which was made in collaboration with stateless refugee children in Thailand and embodies themes of social injustice and marginalisation.
Second Hand Dance is a disabled led dance company based in Surrey, England that works locally, nationally and internationally. Established in 2013, we create touring shows and digital dance experiences for children and adults. We collaborate with dancers, film makers, animators, musicians and our audiences in a co-creation process to produce joyful, inspirational shows that hold the audience experience at its centre Our work has a growing international profile as well as local and regional impact. We have toured the globe – from the UK to Europe, China, Canada, and the USA. We joined Arts Council England’s National Portfolio in 2023, are an artistic advisor to Sadler’s Wells on work for young audiences and sit on the Assitej International Executive Access Committee.
