about

I’m Stefania, an Italian/Brazilian dance artist, performer, rehearsal and movement director who has found a second home in Leeds, UK. My journey in dance began at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance graduating with First Class honours in 2015. My passion for dance propelled me further, leading me to the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. There, as part of the post-graduate performing company VERVE, I poured my heart and soul into every performance, which earned me the Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2016.

Since then, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with remarkable artists across various spectrums of the dance and performing industry. My experiences span dance theatre & contemporary dance, inclusive dance, immersive theatre, site-specific performances, digital dance, multi-sensory concerts, mass community projects, and dance films. My role in these projects has primarily been as a freelance dance artist, where I’ve had the joy of devising, performing, and touring works worldwide. I’ve been fortunate to work with both burgeoning talents and established companies like Michael Keegan-Dolan (Teać Damsa), Gary Clarke Company, Léa Tirabasso, Public Acts (National Theatre), Rebecca Evans (Pell Ensemble), Anton Lachky, Valentina Golfieri, Jamaal Burkmar (Extended Play), Douglas Thorpe (mad dogs dance theatre), Susanne Thomas (Seven Sisters Group), Jaz Woodcock-Stewart (Antler Theatre) and Wayne McGregor (ABBA Voyage).

I’m a versatile dancer (I’ve been told), known for a compelling stage presence and the ability to bring unique and original embodiment to my performances. My practice is deeply rooted in improvisation, serving both as a creative tool and a performance technique. I thrive on responding to the present moment, drawing from my instincts, feelings, and sensations, and I have a particular fondness for integrating text and character work into my movement.

Beyond performing, I also cover the role of rehearsal director for Scottish Dance Theatre and projects like ‘Bubble Up‘ by Gary Clarke and ‘Queer New World‘ by Jake Evans, ‘Suzy Homemaker’ by Erica Mulkern, ‘Zoomers, Boomers and Snowflakes’ by Annie Kelleher and for Scottish Dance Theatre. My work as a maker is driven by a desire to tackle human-social conditions, using dance as a form of activism to spark conversations around often taboo or stigmatised subjects. I believe in dance and the arts transformative powers in society. With my collaborator, Amarnah Ufuoma Cleopatra, we have just premiered a new work – WOMB PARTY – a dance theatre piece about abortion and reproductive justice.

In addition to my performance and creative work, I manage social media and create digital content, having worked with Mobius Dance, Coda Dance Company, Mad Dogs Dance Theatre, Léa Tirabasso and Yoga Kula Vitoria Quarter. In this role, I design marketing materials, curate social media pages, and develop websites to engage audiences and promote their artistic endeavours.

Teaching is another passion of mine. I’m a guest lecturer at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, where I share my knowledge on dance technique and the intricacies of being a self-employed artist, from invoicing to bookkeeping. I’ve also led company classes for National Dance Company Wales, Scottish Dance Theatre, Carte Blanche and Phoenix Dance Theatre, sharing my experiences, interests and skills.

Every step of my journey has been a learning experience, a chance to grow, and an opportunity to share my love for dance with the world.

Photos: Rebecca Evans and Danilo Moroni