Phoenix Fridays is a newly designed programme, which aims to support Leeds-based freelance dance artists working on ongoing projects, particularly those looking to increase their visibility across the sector.

Recognising the needs of freelance artists regarding time, space and exposure, Phoenix Fridays has allowed two artists each year to access in-kind studio space since February 2024.  This programme is supported by the Arts Council England in response to the challenges freelance artists face as they endeavour to gain support from and increase production opportunities with arts and funding organisations at large.

Third Season Cohort

l-r: Samantha Markham and Douglas Thorpe

Samantha Markham

Samantha is a freelance choreographer and movement artist based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. She was born and raised in Chicago, IL and has studied at Northern School of Contemporary Dance with a BA Hon(Dance) and MA in Interdisciplinary Dance Performance. She has worked with a wide range of creators and choreographers such as Fernanda Prata, Dan Camham, Susan Sentler, Theo Clinkard, Northern Rascals, Phil Sanger, Rhiannon Faith and Gecko Theatre.

Over the years, she has produced work of her own. From dance films to live performances such as Red (2025), Take the space( 2024), Wonder (2023), and Playground (2023). Samantha explores her creative movement through the topics of sexuality, mental health, and movement structures. She challenges how to use the creative practice between space, artificial lighting, and patterned movement structures to help teleport new ideas. Working on how to collaborate creatively with light architecture to enhance the emotional impact and enforce the movement in a clear and direct fashion.

Douglas Thorpe

Douglas Thorpe trained at London Contemporary Dance School before joining Phoenix Dance Theatre (then Phoenix Dance Company), where he performed for over twenty years. In 2008, his choreographic voice emerged with the founding of Mad Dogs Dance Theatre, known for its explosive, powerful, and highly physical style. Since then, Douglas has built a strong reputation as a dynamic choreographer.  

 In 2009, he was commissioned to work with ACE Dance & Music and Phoenix Dance Theatre, followed by an invitation in 2011 to create a new work for Staatstheater Tanz in Braunschweig, Germany. As part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, Leeds Canvas and Brothers Quay commissioned him to create a duet for the Overworlds & Underworlds project, later performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  

 Douglas returned to Phoenix Dance Theatre in 2013 to create a new touring work, and his piece Beast was revived for their 2016 tours. He also created work for Verve 14, which toured nationally and internationally, later re-staged by Möbius in 2019. That same year, he was commissioned again for Verve 20. In 2023, Douglas collaborated with Red Ladder Theatre Company on TAXI and recently took part in artist development with CoLab North, supported by Bonnie Bird Choreography Fund. 

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Second Season Cohort

l-r: Mayowa Ogunnaike by Arushi Chugh, Teige Bisnought & Dorna Ashory by Drew Forsyth

Mayowa Ogunnaike

Mayowa is a British-Nigerian contemporary dance artist based in Leeds. Her name means ‘brings joy’ and she aims to encourage that sentiment throughout her practice. In 2017, she graduated from Trinity Laban with a first class honours degree and an award for ‘outstanding achievement in Choreological Studies‘. After graduating, Mayowa joined Phoenix Dance Theatre as an apprentice; performing and touring in the original cast of ‘Windrush: Movement of The People’ choreographed by Sharon Watson.

Following her apprenticeship, Mayowa has worked as a performer for several companies and choreographers and is currently working on new productions with Gary Clarke Company and Lea Tirabasso. Alongside performing, Mayowa delivers creative and technique classes across the UK, using this practice as an opportunity for sharing a wide ranging movement vocabulary, experimenting, collaborating with artists and facilitating cultural exchange.

Dorna Ashory & Teige Bisnought

Dorna Ashory is an Iranian dance artist raised in London and now based in Leeds, she was introduced to contemporary dance at the age of 17 whilst at The Brit School, alongside this, she has worked with Ben Duke in The Place’s youth company, Shift. She later joined London Contemporary Dance School where she performed choreographed works by James Cousins,Rafael Bonachela and Ohad Naharin. She then joined the post-graduate company VERVE, under the artistic direction of Matthew Robinson, working with Jean Cleaville, Maxine Doyle, Noa Zuk and Ben Wright. Dorna joined Phoenix Dance Theatre as a company dancer in January 2023.

Teige Bisnoughtis a Reading born dance artist who joined Phoenix Dance Theatre in January 2023, his journey into dance started at the age of 12 when he started taking ballet classes with Monica Cleaver and joined street style crew, Urban Stylez. Training in a range of different dance styles including Contemporary, Jazz and modern, Teige later trained at The Ailey School in New York, working with Black Dance Theatre, Encore! He freelanced with multiple choreographers in New York before returning to the UK and joining Phoenix Dance Theatre in January 2023.

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First Season Cohort

l-r: Akiem Toussaint Buck by Leah Cole Photography & John-William Watson by Camilla Greenwell

Akeim Toussaint Buck 

Akeim Toussaint Buck is a multifaceted performer and maker, born in Jamaica and raised in England. Graduating from Northern School of Contemporary Dance in 2014, Toussaint Buck has been involved in many cross disciplinary projects working with a range of artists and communities from around the world. His focus as a maker is to combine expressive skills such as: dance, poetry, beat-box, singing and acting to deliver experiences that move people. The work aims to challenge, enlighten and entertain the spectator and participant. Audiences are not just observers; they are implicit in the experience. The work aims to reflect on reality, looking at ongoing socio-political situations with a humanitarian intention. Akeim’s choreography and performance work includes: Snakebox’s PLAY, Windows of Displacement, Reckoning, Sib Y Osis, Beatmotion and Souls & Cells. Film work includes Galvanise & Displaced etc. Movement Director credits include Far Gone, Carnival Chronicles, Idol, High Rise Estate Of Mind, Nine Night. Curated events Snakebox & Friends and Radical Visions. More information about Akeim can found on his official website, https://toussainttomove.com/

John-William Watson

John-William Watson is a freelance, Leeds based, choreographer, director and dancer – creating work that “looks at the absurdity of the world with a smile.” – The Stage. After graduating from The Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp in 2019, they swiftly carved a path for themselves creating critically acclaimed, surreal, self-described ‘dance-plays’ – often exploring the interplay between science fiction, dark-comedy and contemporary dance. Watson has previously received commissions from organisations such as Sadler’s Wells, Messums West and The Riley Theatre. They were a Young Associate Choreographer at Sadler’s Wells 2020-22, Northern Connection Artist 2021/22, and Messums West 4×20 Artist 2023. They have presented work at Sadler’s Wells Main House UK, Sadler’s Wells Lillian Baylis UK, The Riley Theatre UK, Birmingham Hippodrome UK, Pavilion Dance South West UK, Messums West UK, FABRIC Dance UK, Bartholomew Fair UK, Teatro Vascello IT, Noorderlicht Festival BE & Théâtre Basse Passière FR.’

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