In conversation with BLUE MAKWANA

“I would like the audience to feel like they are seeing a piece of work that you don’t often see in the context of contemporary dance.”

- BLUE MAKWANA

BLUE MAKWANA. © Jack Thomson.

BLUE MAKWANA is a London based choreographer, dancer and teacher. She is a Sadler’s Wells Young Associate (2023/2024) and she is currently performing and touring with New Adventures in Matthew Bourne’s production of Romeo and Juliet.

How did your journey in the performing arts industry begin?

My journey in the performing arts industry began by watching my mother participate in ballet technique and jazz dance classes. My sister and I would accompany our mother to her classes and watch in awe. Afterwards, we would both come home and eagerly choreograph small dances in our living room.

Despite my mum being a professional dancer and a ballet and contemporary teacher, I was not put into dance classes from a young age, which to this day I am very grateful for.

 When I was 12 years old, I auditioned for The CAT (Centre for Advanced Training) Programme at The Place. By some miracle, I was accepted onto the programme. From this moment, my journey into the performing arts industry grew.

As part of the 2023/24 Sadler's Wells Young Associates, you will be presenting new work at the Lilian Baylis Studio in November 2023. Can you share the process of creating this work?

The process of creating my new work, a duet in the Lilian Baylis Studio begins with creating a playlist of songs that I adore and can visualise high energy choreography to. Whilst visualising this material, I think deeper about what type of relationship I am wanting to explore between two people in the space.

Following this, the process becomes more spontaneous. I am allowing myself to be open to discover what ideas and choreography is naturally generated when I get into the studio, with the two beautiful dancers I have the pleasure of working with.

What inspires your creative work?

I find inspiration for my creative work in music, fashion, films, music videos, books, interviews, and podcasts, to name a few. Mostly, I am inspired by the sheer privilege of being in the position to be able to do what I do. That for me is always a driving force.

What do you hope the audience will experience at your upcoming show?

I hope that the audience will experience being in an environment where they feel like they might be watching either an unusually long and extended movie trailer, a dance medley, or a music video. I would like the audience to feel like they are seeing a piece of work that you don’t often see in the context of contemporary dance. However, I would like there to be moments where the audience experience a sense of familiarity, whether that be through the music, through the movement language or through costuming.

What's the most challenging aspect of the work you do?

The most challenging aspect of the work I do is finding time to get enough rest. I am an avid grafter. I am so blessed to be in the position that I am currently in, and I do not take this for granted. However, I often do not take enough time to recognise how important it is to rest, disassociate and recuperate. I always wish we had a few more hours in the day!

How would you describe your choreography style?

My choreography style is eclectic. I thoroughly enjoy fusing dance styles and I am grateful to my training which has given me the tools to be able to do this. I trained in contemporary, ballet, jazz, commercial and musical theatre and my choreography often contains elements of these styles and techniques. Sometimes they are separate from each other and sometimes they are intertwined.

BLUE MAKWANA is among the 2023/24 Sadler's Wells Young Associates and will be presenting new work at an upcoming show at the Lilian Baylis Studio. © Jack Thomson.

Looking back at your career, what moments have brought you the most satisfaction?

 Looking back at my career thus far, I do not yet feel that I am in the place to be satisfied. Yes, there have been many moments which I deem to be great achievements such as becoming a Sadler’s Wells Young Associate, but I am by no means satisfied. There are so many goals I have as an artist, and I aim to keep striving higher and higher. 

Are there any dancers or choreographers who have influenced your practice?

My choreographic practice has mostly been influenced by my curiosity to further explore the dance techniques and genres I have trained in, rather than being influenced by people. I am more so someone that gets inspired by people, rather than influenced.

I am keen to develop and curate my own practice based on what feels nice to do in the moment, rather than being influenced by other people’s work I might have watched.

What or who has been a source of inspiration for your artistic work?

There are multiple choreographers that I am very inspired by, all for different reasons. To name a few, these include Sonya Tayeh, Jerome Robbins, Kenny Ortega, Parris Goebel, Alison Faulk, Christopher Scott, Bob Fosse, Alvin Ailey, Merce Cunningham, Crystal Pite…the list could go on.

I am also very inspired by music videos. The feeling of watching a short but abundant journey, paired with exciting elements, thrills me, and often inspires me to create.

What's the best advice you've ever received?

It is fine to sometimes say thank you, but not right now. As artists, I feel that we are taught that we must say yes to everything. I understand that there is great privilege in being offered an opportunity, but we must understand that it is not always the right one. Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn’t, and this is fine. We should feel more confident and comfortable with making informed choices that are right for us.

Any practical tips for young people aiming to enter the performing arts industry?

A practical tip would be to tap into observation. There is so much you can absorb through watching and studying. Sometimes these nuggets of information cannot be taught or articulated in a theoretical way. It is purely through observation that some information can become engrained within you. I have found this to be invaluable. It is a practice that I hope more people can adopt, especially in this era where we are constantly jaded by technology and social media.

Can you share a bit about who BLUE MAKWANA is outside of the 'office'?

Outside of the office, I am trying to have fun, I am making the most of my life and I am constantly trying to explore and experience this wonderful world. I am a wife, I am a daughter, I am a sister, I am a granddaughter and great granddaughter, I am a cousin and I am a friend.    

What do you appreciate most about London?

London is one of the most amazing cities in the world and I appreciate how diverse it is. There are people from all over the world, from many different cultural backgrounds and from all walks of life. As a Londoner, I am able to communicate and understand so many different types of people and this is because I have been immersed in a city that is filled with people from all over the globe. I do not take this for granted and I am reminded every day I walk the streets of London, of how lucky I am to be in this city. You can smell the opportunity. I will always be grateful to the city of London, and I owe a lot of my achievements to this city.

 
Young Associates Mixed Bill is on at the Lilian Baylis Studio on 22 – 23 November 2023. Click here for tickets.

Website: bluemakwana.com

Instagram: @bluemakwana 

LinkedIn: Blue Makwana