News
SPD Launches Choreographer Development Programme in Bharatanatyam 2024-25
Seeta Patel Dance (SPD) is one of the UK’s leading dance production companies, spearheaded by award-winning choreographer and dancer Seeta Patel.
Acknowledging the importance of helping young artists identify and address challenges in their growth and training, and equipping them with the best tools for their professional and creative development, SPD is incredibly excited to launch the first iteration of this mentorship programme for early- career choreographers in Bharatanatyam.
This programme is a first-of-its-kind programme tailored to upcoming choreographic talents in Bharatanatyam ensemble work. Known for creating ground-breaking Bharatanatyam ensemble work like Stravinsky’s ‘The Rite of Spring’, Seeta will support 4 early-career choreographers to deep-dive and explore meaningful movement, and begin to create thought-provoking, exciting ensemble work.
Please head to the Talent Development section of the website where you can find out more.
We look forward to hearing from you.
SPD
Company Manager Job Opportunity
Seeta Patel Dance is seeking a dynamic and proactive Company Manager to join our team and play a key role in our transition to becoming a successful Arts Council NPO.
The Company Manager is at the heart of Seeta Patel Dance Company’s new team to support the delivery of the mission and vision, the business plan and programme of work.
We are looking for an energetic, go-to person to join our team, who has the knowledge of and authority to deliver arts projects and the required skills to support the delivery of the company’s short and long term aims and ambitions.
We are a diverse female led organisation with strong values on diversity, equity and inclusion. As an employer, we welcome applications from all underrepresented and underserved groups in the arts, including Black, Asian and other Global Majority communities, those from working-class backgrounds, disabled, neurodivergent or LGBTQI+ communities.
If you are passionate about the arts and have the skills and experience to help us achieve our goals, we want to hear from you. Please visit https://seetapateldance.hrpartner.io/jobs to find out more about the role and upload your CV and cover letter. Alternatively send an email to admin@seetapateldance.org
Deadline for applications: 4th June 2024
If you require information in an alternative format, please email: admin@seetapateldance.com
These formats will be available upon request to ensure they are suitably tailored to support the applicant’s access requirements.
We look forward to welcoming you to our team and working together to make a positive impact on the arts sector.
Seeta Patel Dance
Administrator Job Opportunity
2024 has been a rollercoaster of a year so far with Seeta Patel’s staging of The Rite of Spring nominated for an Olivier for Best Dance Production and the company nominated for Best Independent Company and Best Classical Choreography (for the Rite of Spring) at the National Dance Awards (2023).
Seeta Patel has also joined Sadler’s Wells roster of Associate Artists.
In April 2023 Seeta Patel Dance became a new Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation allowing SPD to sustain and create new partnerships and deliver an innovative programme of classical Indian and contemporary dance and dance theatre. To support the company's mission and vision, the business plan and programme of work we are now looking for an energetic, go-to person to join our team, who has the required skills to help with the delivery of the company’s short and long term aims and ambitions.
The Administrator will be responsible for setting up and running fit for purpose systems to enable the effective, smooth and professional running of the Company’s administration and will support the efficient delivery of its innovative artistic programme and growing national and international partnerships.
To find out more information and apply for the role please visit https://seetapateldance.hrpartner.io/jobs
Applications for the position close at 5 pm on the 7th of June.
If you require information in an alternative format, please contact us at:
admin@seetapateldance.com
These formats will be available upon request to ensure they are suitably tailored to support the applicant’s access requirements.
We look forward to growing our team and continuing to make a positive impact on the arts sector
SPD
2024 Olivier Awards
2024 has been a whirlwind so far with Seeta Patel's The Rite of Spring with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra nominated for Best New Dance Production at the Oliviers. Seeta Patel Dance is so proud of this prestigious achievement and the opportunity to celebrate alongside other incredible world-class British theatre companies and individuals. Coming as a runner up for this accolade is a win, a win for women of colour, for Bharatanatyam, representation and female led choreography. SOLT have also confirmed that not only is Seeta Patel the first South Asian woman of colour ever to be nominated in the Best New Dance Production category but also the first woman of colour in the 48 year history of the awards. Congratulations and thank you to all the dancers, creatives, management team, and stake holders/resource contributors, for their belief in Seeta Patel Dance and this work.
The Rite of Spring Named One of Best Dance Shows of 2023 by the Telegraph
Seeta Patel Dance is thrilled to announce that our reimagining of the classic The Rite of Spring ballet has been named as one of the best dance shows of 2023 by The Telegraph, alongside four other incredible ballet companies.
The Telegraph praised Seeta Patel's version as "a beautiful inside-out reworking of the Stravinsky classic founded on her training in bharatanatyam (one of India’s eight officially recognised classical dance forms)."
Read the full article here:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/dance/what-to-see/2023-in-dance-opera-and-cl...
Join Seeta Patel Dance's AGM 2023
We would be thrilled if you could join the company for our annual general meeting, starting at 5pm on Tuesday 19th December 2023, you'll be able to follow along live on YouTube:
For those who have questions for our team, please submit them to executivedirector@seetapateldance.org by Monday 18th December or ask in the live chat during the live stream and we will try our best to answer them.
Seeta Patel Interviewed by Isaac Ouro-Gnao for The Stage
Seeta Patel on her unique The Rite of Spring: ‘This is not something a contemporary dancer could mimic’.
As her company hits the road with its first full-scale tour after gaining national portfolio status last year, dancer and choreographer Seeta Patel tells Isaac Ouro-Gnao about realising her quest to stage The Rite of Spring with a rare Bharatanatyam ensemble.
“I don’t ever think I’m doing something so unique in the sense that I’m changing the form,” she says. “I just really enjoy watching the power of the form in this collective way. I want people to see what we’ve done. I’m proud of myself and everyone involved, of what we’ve done with Bharatanatyam and how we’ve staged it. I get a lot of joy out of watching it, even though I’ve seen it a million times.”
Read the full article here:
https://www.thestage.co.uk/features/seeta-patel-on-her-unique-the-rite-o...
Seeta Patel and Adhya Shastry interviewed in Desiblitz Magazine
"In the world of dance, luminaries such as Seeta Patel and Adhya Shastry stand as shining stars, each with their unique brilliance."
Desiblitz magazine interviewed Seeta Patel and Adhya Shastry ahead of the autumn tour of The Rite of Spring.
Seeta talks about her 20-year career and about the process of working with Bharatanatyam in the production, and Adhya discusses her BBC Young Dancer win in 2022 and her career journey so far.
Read the full interview:
https://www.desiblitz.com/content/seeta-patel-adhya-shastry-talk-rite-of...
Seeta Patel Dance is looking for an Executive Director!
The Seeta Patel Dance team is expanding, and we are now seeking an Executive Director to come on board.
A dynamic leader, excited at being at the forefront of building a dance sector that is representative of our contemporary society, the Executive Director will be central to Seeta Patel Dance’s transition into being an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation.
The Executive Director will lead on the delivery of SPD’s large scale artistic programme and partnerships nationally and internationally. In addition they will oversee the delivery of SPD's financial objectives and audience strategies, embed exemplary working practices within the company, support the delivery of SPD’s overall strategic development and secure its role as a producer of quality work and major influencer in the UK arts sector.
Deadline to apply: Wednesday 10th May.
Click here to download the full recruitment pack.
Email admin@seetapateldance.com with any questions.
National Portfolio Organisation
Seeta Patel Dance was successful in its bid to become a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) with Arts Council England.
This vital support will mean the company will be funded for the next 3 years!
As a small organisation/charity, it has been a constant struggle to try and create ambitious and important work for so many years. This support will give us the resource and stability to reach more people and have an even greater impact on the arts landscape.
We look forward to creating more high quality work, reaching diverse audiences, supporting South Asian talent, advocating for a more equitable arts world in the UK and internationally.
Watch this space for more exciting developments as we take this next step in our journey!