Our Upcoming ‘Apex’ Gala - July 26th

In just a few weeks time, we will be back in The Venue MK to perform our 'Apex' Gala, an evening showcasing MKDT repertoire new and old. What's even more exciting about this gala is that YOU can be involved by signing up to our Summer School which is running from 22nd-26th of July in Milton Keynes! Keep reading to find out more...

Our Company Cohort has continued to rehearse each Sunday in June and July to prepare for this gala, alongside other exciting events such as Making Moves National Platform and Thrive Youth Dance Festival. We have decided to bring back a lot of MKDT repertoire that our current cohort of dancers did not learn previously, reworking the pieces on a much larger scale and adding new elements too. Work that is featuring in this gala is as follows:

• Cortex - originally performed by MKDT Youth Company in 2024 for UDance, Jumpstart and Stars of Tomorrow, this piece is inspired by the Psychodynamic approach to psychology, exploring the notions of the Superego, Ego and Id. Jess has been focussing on this work, finding ways to expand it from the original cast of 8 to this new cast of 24!

• Romeo & Juliet: Palladio - this ballroom scene from our 2019 and 2023 productions of 'Romeo & Juliet' is dramatic and intense, and is a chance for our dancers to explore a style that they might not have worked in before. Owen originally choreographed this scene and has enjoyed revisiting it once again.

• Sekter - created as part of our Summer School in 2023, this piece draws upon the choreographic practices of Hofesh Schekter, specifically drawing on 'string' and 'beast' improvisation techniques. We also reworked this piece for our 2024 March Gala, but Brooke has been adding her finesse to the original framework.

• Antigone: Antigone's Solo - from 2025, this solo featured in our Triple Bill, and was revisited in our Origin Gala at the start of this year.

• 1984 Duet - '1984' was choreographed by Jess in 2023 and this duet has been performed at Motus' Midsummer Festival and our Ascent Gala, and we can't wait to see it again.

• Peter Pan: Tinkerbell Solo - performed all the way back in 2022, this fast-paced, challenging solo is making a return.

• And Ever: I Like You - this duet is from our most recent full length production 'And Ever', and specifically comes from Owen's piece 'Forever, Never Ever', and looks at the idea of liking somebody but not having the courage to confess how you feel.

But there is another piece that is yet to be created: our Summer School Piece.

We are inviting dancers to take daily workshops with industry professionals and rehearse to form a new short work that will feature in our gala as part of our Senior Summer School. This offer is open to dancers age 12 up to 3rd year of vocational training, with workshops and rehearsals taking place 12:30-18:00 on the 22nd-25th of July at New Bradwell Primary School, Milton Keynes. Dancers must attend all days and all workshops to be involved in the creation process, and you can sign up under the 'Get Involved' section of our website!

If you would like to come and watch our Apex Gala, then head over to 'Events' to grab your tickets now! We are delighted to be welcoming many fantastic guest groups and artists to perform too, showcasing young talent from Milton Keynes AND beyond, so don't miss out!

Photography: Katie Ho