Movement and Environmental Advocate, Performing Artist, Educator, Choreographer, Somatic Movement Practitioner BMC® monica is a dance artist, performer, teacher and maker working in the UK and internationally
In my work in the performing arts, I strive to create connections with people through collaborative and interdisciplinary projects that respond to social and environmental issues. Drawing from my background in ecology, dance, choreography, somatic movement practices, and devising techniques, I seek to explore ways of engaging with the audience. By incorporating elements of Third theatre and Somatic approaches, I aim to generate performance that are both thought-provoking and physically engaging.
Through performance I aim to bring to light the connection between a contingent and intimate individual experience with the universal and timeless dramaturgy of us humans.
Collaborations, Co-Direction and Performance
Olga – July 2023. The ItinerAnts Eco-drama performances. Poznan (Poland)
SPIKE! – a dinosaur caper 2022.
Starcatchers production.
Field. Something for the future now. 2021 Couscous Seeds production. Edinburgh International Festival
Three lines . Improvisation performance with Jer Reid (musician) and Jenny Soep (visual artist). The Arches, Glasgow
Dissections - HamletZar project, 176 / Zabludowicz Collection, London. Funded by British Arts Council and developed with ODIN teatret in Danmark, Dance Base in Edinburgh, Barbican in London.
Professional Memberships
International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA), 2018-present.
The Work Room (TWR) artist-led organisation promoting choreography research, 2010-present.
2006-2014 Founder, company dancer and community dance developer of LaNua - www.lanua.org
2010-2015 Member of Théâtre de la Camelote lacamelote.com
Latest Community and Professional Teaching
Somatic Movement Education. curses and Workshops at The Salisbury Centre. 2017 onward.
Contact Improvisation Workshop - Edinburgh College. 2023
Dance Base Nation Centre of Dance Edinburgh. Dance Improvisation. 2018 - 20120
School of Physical theatre, Edinburgh, 2019.
Five College Productions. Fife College, St Brycedale Campus. 2016-2018
Exodus 2016 Dance theatre workshops. In collaboration with Exodus Italian organization for social inclusion of people with different abilities and mental health.
NEA Theatre Project Adults and Children. North Edinburgh Arts, Edinburgh. Creative Scotland, 2011-2015.
With an extensive experience in arts-environment-wellbeing related work as well as directing and performing performances. Based in Edinburgh, monica continually deepens her knowledge of the body, movement, ecology, and performing arts. She is interested in research, experimentation, and the fusion of cultures and traditions through theatre practice.
Direction and Choreography
Love letters to the sea 2021-2022. Environmental multidisciplinary site-specific performance. Collaboration with musician David Yates. Supported by Dance Base, SHRUB Zero waste and Vrij Paleis Amsterdam.
FUTURE VALUE 2021. Site specific promenading performance through public spaces in Portobello. PortyArt Walk Festival.
"Arandora" 2019. Dance/Live Music performance. Italian School of Literatures, Languages, & Cultures University of Edinburgh.
L ī l ā (the cosmic play) 2017-2019. Dance/Live Music/Storytelling performance. Creative Scotland - International Research & Development, Dance Base National Centre For Dance, Edinburgh.
The Buried Port 2016. Music and Dance Performance. Ungaretti Project –Supported by the Italian Cultural Institute and the Scottish Poetry Library , Edinburgh City Council and Florence City Council