This interview with renowned choreographer Mark Smith explores his journey from Royal Ballet training to international stage success, his innovative integration of sign language into dance, and his insights on the importance of sign language and deaf culture in the arts.

Key topics

Mark Smith's career trajectory from Royal Ballet to international stages
The integration of sign language into dance and choreography
The importance of sign language as a cultural and artistic expression

Sound bites

"I feel vibrations through my feet first."
"I learned BSL quite late, at age four."
"Sign language was banned for 100 years."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mark Smith's Journey
03:02 Connection with Bird College and Creative Process
06:05 The Impact of Dance on Communication
09:12 Exploring the Role of Vibration in Dance
11:47 Choreography and Collaboration in Musical Theatre
14:54 Learning British Sign Language and Its Importance
25:04 Overcoming Communication Barriers
26:44 Celebrating Deaf Culture Through Dance
30:30 The Emotional Connection in Performance
32:33 Evolving Dance Styles and Personal Growth
36:31 Diverse Dance Training and Its Importance
40:57 The Journey to Choreography
43:12 First Steps as a Choreographer
46:52 Pitching Ideas and Securing Choreography Jobs
50:07 Navigating the Competitive Dance Industry
53:41 The Impact of Social Media on Opportunities

Links:

Royal Ballet School - https://www.royalballetschool.org.uk/
London Studio Centre - https://londonstudiocentre.org/
Graeae Theatre Company - https://graeae.org/
Deaf Men Dancing - https://deafmendancing.com/
British Sign Language (BSL) - https://bslzone.co.uk/
Ramps on the Moon - https://rampsonthemoon.co.uk/

Stage & Screen with Me'sha Bryan

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