2023 Frank Freeman Choreographic Competition
During this summer’s Residential Performance Company, Evolving Visions, at Elmhurst Ballet School, we held our annual Frank Freeman Choreographic Competition. Open to all dancers this was a fantastic opportunity for entrants to devise their own original pieces and as budding choreographers present their creative work on stage at the Elmhurst Studio Theatre. Many winning alumni of the competition in previous years have gone on to be professional choreographers including Drew McOnie, Arielle Smith and Richard Chappell and this year’s competition gave us an inspiring insight into the next generation of choreographic talents.
Jo Meredith, NYB Creative Director and member of the judging panel commented:
“It was a pleasure to judge the NYB Choreographic Competition this year. Once again the standard was very high and it was very hard to make decisions, but it was wonderful to see the next generation of choreographers making some truly inspiring and creative work.”
2023 Frank Freeman Choreographic Competition results:
Junior Solo
Commended – Angelica White
Runner Up – Zara Turpie
Winner – Mirabelle Hogan
Intermediate Solo
Commended – Fraya Cowan
Runner Up – Aubreé Edus
Joint Winner – Sophia Renahan / Ella Porter
Senior Solo
Commended – Ella Wheatley
Runner Up – Zak Smith
Winner – Tilda Marriage-Massey
Groups/Duets
Commended – Mirabelle Hogan
Runner Up – Isla Hart and Orla Vellacott
Winner – Rio Barker & Jessica Wilkes
Frank Freeman Cup – Zak Smith
Nijinkska Award – Mirabelle Hogan
Barbara Geoghegan Musicality Award – Ella Wheatley
Theatrical Intention Award – Orla Vellacott and Isla Hart
Arielle Smith went on to work with Matthew Bourne as his Associate on New Adventure’s Romeo and Juliet, and to win an Olivier Award for Jolly Folly for English National Ballet and is now working with Tamara Rojo at San Fransisco Ballet. Drew McOnie has choreographed and directed a wide range of Broadway and West End theatre and musicals including King Kong and Jesus Christ Superstar, won an Olivier Award for In The Heights and choreographed a new ballet Merlin for Northern Ballet.
