Dance initiative announces this year’s participants
Dance Limerick has officially announced the five participants chosen for the 2025 Step Up Dance Project, a much-awaited yearly highlight for up-and-coming contemporary dancers. Now celebrating its 15th anniversary, the project continues to foster the next generation of dance artists through an intensive creation, collaboration, and performance programme.
After an open call towards the end of 2024 and attended by more than 30 applicants, auditions were held in Limerick where five dancers were selected: Alice Gavigan, Sophie Gray, Ciara Hannon, Luke Maziarek, and Catriona O’Connor. Each of them brings his or her own training and voice to the 2025 company, a diverse array of training, experience, and artistic viewpoint.
The eight-week programme will see the dancers collaborate with acclaimed choreographer Philip Connaughton to create a new work for performance at Dance Limerick and Dance House, Dublin. Participants will also engage in Moving in Collaboration, a two-week intensive under the direction of Luail – Ireland’s National Dance Company – at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, taking their work to a higher level through choreographic practice.
This year’s production is choreographed by award-winning dance artist Fearghus Ó Conchúir and Director Mary Wycherley of Dance Limerick. Rehearsal and development will be directed by Lucia Kickham, whose position as Rehearsal Director seeks to develop the dancers as performers and artists.
Of the artists chosen, Alice Gavigan, a first-class honours graduate from the Irish World Academy and has worked throughout Ireland and the UK with companies like Echo Echo and Fidget Feet. Sophie Gray offers classical training and recent professional practice with Budapest Dance Theatre. Ciara Hannon has worked overseas and places a high value on community-based dance work in Ireland. Luke Maziarek, a commercial and hip-hop performer, has performed at large events such as the Europa League and also teaches at Dance Yourself Fit. Last but not least, Catriona O’Connor is a graduate of Trinity Laban whose credits include Resolution Festival in London and performing with Candoco’s Joel Brown.
Step Up Dance Project is a partnership with Dance Ireland, the Arts Council, Dance Limerick, and the Irish World Academy. The stepped-up provision this year is facilitated by a new partnership with Luail, highlighting the program’s aim to introduce emerging artists to professional development and mentoring.
Final performances of the 2025 project will be in early August. Dance Limerick invites the public to remain engaged through their website and social media for news, open classes, and event information.