We’re excited to present our three new Associate Companies
These artists encompass the very best of unique, innovative and trailblazing theatre and we’re thrilled to have them become associates and advocates of Polka’s work. Meet the three companies below.
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Beats & Elements Beats & Elements was started in 2013 by Paul Cree and Conrad Murray, with the aim to create hip hop theatre, and fuse their passion of music, rap and theatre. They also had a joint passion for young people and created a workshop practice that they used in schools, community centres, universities and drama schools.
They aim to create powerful theatre, using beats, beatbox, loopers, synths, guitars and spoken word. They work with the aim of telling untold stories, and platforming new artists and artforms.
They were supported by Camden People Theatre and created the hit show ‘No Milk for the Foxes’. In 2016 Lakeisha Lynch Steves joined the collective, alongside rapper/performer Gambit Ace to create ‘High Rise eState Of Mind’ for Camden People’s Theatre and Battersea Arts Centre. It was a powerful show which addressed the UK Housing issue.
Beats & Elements’ most recent collaboration was on Polka Theatre’s Romeo and Juliet – a hip-hop version of Shakespeare’s most famous play for 9+ audiences.
They continue to create music and theatre, and work in some of the UK top drama schools including Exeter University, Goldsmiths, LAMDA, Central, Mountview and Fourth Monkey.
‘Beats & Elements: A Hip Hop Theatre Trilogy’ was published by Methuen Drama in 2022.
‘lively, likeable quartet of performers.’ **** The Stage
‘musical talent in bucketloads.’ Everything Theatre
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Second Hand Dance Established in 2013, SHD has an adaptive leadership model, run by disabled Co-Director Rosie Heafford and non-disabled Co-Director Claire Summerfield. We work (inter)nationally with local and regional impact creating joyful, inspirational performances and digital dance films for children and adults. We collaborate with dancers, film makers, animators, musicians and our audiences in a co-creation process that is accessible, welcoming to all bodies and places the audience experience at its centre.
Our work has been presented in venues/festivals across three continents for e.g.: The Lincoln Centre (NY), Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, Sadler’s Wells, Dublin Theatre Festival, Esplanade Theatre (Singapore), Cheers! Festival (Hong Kong) and Ricca Ricca Festival (Japan). In 2016 Rosie was winner of the Arts Foundation Children’s Theatre Shortlist award .
Key works:
‘Grass’ for ages 2 – 7. Live show and screen dance double bill. Since 2015 Grass (the show) has been seen by 15,000 people across 71 venues.
‘Getting Dressed’ 4+ – live show and screen dance film
‘Night Tree’ 3+ – live show and screen dance film
Since 2021 14,900 people have seen a SHD screen dance film.
‘Touch’ (0-3) Created in partnership with Unlimited and GOSH Arts in hospitals with children on long stay words, often in isolation, alongside performances in theatres and nurseries. Renamed as ‘We Touch, We Play, We Dance’ in 2021
‘Sticky Dance’ (3 – 5yrs and 3 – 7yrs for neurodivergent children) premiered in February 2024.
We are Artistic Advisor to Sadlers’ Wells with a focus on their family programme and Resident Company at South East Dance. Alongside her work with SHD Rosie facilitates, teaches, mentors and choreographs on a range of projects in collaboration with artists and communities.
Claire is Vice Chair of PYA England and sits on the Assitej UK board.
In 2023 SHD became an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.
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Tangled Feet Tangled Feet are dedicated to devising original, accessible and innovative theatre. Committed to a collaborative working methodology, they make socially engaged and transformative work in public places, community spaces and theatre buildings. Impactful participative experiences underpins & informs their creative exploration.
Their collaborative creative methodology has evolved over time & brings together multiple perspectives, encompassing participants, young people & artists; many of whom have worked with the company across many years. They deliver industry leading Dramatherapy in Croydon and Merton with young people in & out of school settings.
This Dramatherapeutic practice is integrated with their artistic output, meaning young people’s perspectives are centred in their programme as seen in their work for young people ’Need A Little Help’, ‘Butterflies’ and ‘Belongings’.
They are based in Luton and work nationally and are part of Arts Council’s national portfolio of core funded companies.