National Dance Company Wales

National Dance Company Wales
Name	National Dance Company Wales
Founded	1983
Founder	Cheryl McGrath; originally as Diversions
Venue	Wales Millennium Centre
Location	Cardiff
Genre	Contemporary dance
Artistic director	Matthew Robinson (Artistic Director and CEO)

National Dance Company Wales is the principal contemporary dance company based in Cardiff, performing nationally and internationally from a base at the Wales Millennium Centre. The company presents new works by leading choreographers, commissions dancers from Wales and beyond, and engages in touring, education and community activity across Wales and internationally. It contributes to the cultural life of Cardiff Bay and collaborates with institutions such as the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Swansea University and national arts funders.

History

The company traces roots to 1983 when choreographer Cheryl McGrath founded a contemporary troupe in Cardiff linked to regional arts initiatives and the evolution of Welsh performing arts. Over decades, it transformed alongside cultural developments in Wales Millennium Centre programming, the expansion of Arts Council of Wales funding, and the growth of touring circuits connecting venues like Royal Opera House adjunct stages, Bristol Old Vic, and the Llanarthne circuit. Leadership changes mirrored broader shifts in British dance, intersecting with careers of figures associated with Siobhan Davies Dance, Rambert Dance Company, and English National Ballet. Strategic rebranding aligned the company with national cultural policy debates in Cardiff Council and initiatives from the Welsh Government arts portfolio. The company's archive documents collaborations with choreographers from Jerwood Dance, residencies at DanceEast, and commissions supported by Arts Council England streams.

Artistic Direction and Leadership

Artistic direction has passed through notable practitioners connected to the UK contemporary scene, engaging directors who studied at institutions such as Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and London Contemporary Dance School. Under leaders with links to Random Dance and Alonzo King LINES Ballet, the company expanded repertory strategy to include interdisciplinary work with artists from National Theatre Wales and designers affiliated with Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. Executive leadership has negotiated touring partnerships with venues like Sadler's Wells Theatre, programming collaborations with DANCE: LONDON festivals, and commissioning relationships with producers from Welsh National Opera and BBC Wales. Artists promoted through the company have later joined ensembles such as Scottish Ballet and Northern Ballet.

Repertoire and Commissions

Repertoire balances new commissions with repertory pieces by choreographers of international renown and Welsh provenance, commissioning work from creators associated with Matthew Bourne's New Adventures, Akram Khan Company, Crystal Pite, Shobana Jeyasingh, Wayne McGregor, and emergent Welsh choreographers trained at Royal Academy of Dance-linked programmes. The company has premiered productions developed during residencies at The Place (dance school), partner-funded projects with National Museum Cardiff, and co-commissions with Battersea Arts Centre and Tate Modern site-specific initiatives. Works often incorporate designs by collaborators from Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama alumni and music by composers connected to BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Welsh National Opera, and independent composers whose scores have been performed by ensembles at St David's Hall.

Performances and Tours

The company maintains a touring schedule across venues in Wales, the United Kingdom, and international destinations including engagements at festivals such as Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Biennale de la Danse, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, and cultural exchanges with companies presented at Lincoln Center and Kunstfestspiele. Regular performances take place in Cardiff venues like Wales Millennium Centre and regional theatres such as Swansea Grand Theatre, Newport Riverfront, and community stages in Wrexham and Bangor. Touring logistics have involved partnerships with promoters who work with Arts Council of Wales, programming in city festivals including Hay Festival crossover events, and cultural diplomacy projects supported by British Council.

Education, Community and Outreach

Education and community engagement encompass classes, workshops and participatory projects developed with partners including Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, University of South Wales, Cardiff University, and youth arts organisations such as StreetDance International affiliates. The company's outreach reaches schools through curriculum-linked projects aligned with regional arts education strategies administered by local authorities including Rhondda Cynon Taf and Caerphilly County Borough Council. Community work has included intergenerational projects with Age Cymru, health-related movement programmes commissioned with NHS Wales initiatives, and festivals curated with Made in Roath. Training pathways and apprenticeships have fed dancers into companies such as Phoenix Dance Theatre and conservatoires including Trinity Laban.

Collaborations and Partnerships

Collaborative relationships span arts organisations, educational institutions, orchestras and international companies: co-productions with Sadler's Wells, co-commissions with Dance Consortium, partnerships with BBC Wales for broadcast projects, and cultural exchange programmes with institutions like The Place and Jerwood Arts. The company has worked with visual arts partners including National Museum Cardiff and Tate Wales, with music partners such as BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Welsh National Opera, and with funders including Arts Council of Wales and private trusts. Strategic alliances include residency schemes at DANCE4, touring networks like One Dance UK membership, and collaborative education projects with Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and Swansea University.

Category:Welsh dance companies Category:Contemporary dance companies