052: Movement, Choreography & Education with Struan Leslie
" I think practically the more strings you have to the bow, the more employable you are in some ways, or the more flexible or responsive you can be "
Struan Leslie
In this episode of The Shapes in Motion Podcast, Stephen Moynihan is joined by Movement Director, Choreographer and Educator Struan Leslie to explore how a lifelong curiosity about movement has shaped a career spanning dance, theatre, opera and performance.
Struan shares his journey from Dundee to working internationally, including his role as Head of Movement at the Royal Shakespeare Company and the development of the new MFA in Movement Direction at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. They discuss the influences and experiences that have shaped his practice, approaches to movement training and education, and the importance of curiosity, interdisciplinary exploration and lifelong learning.
About Struan Leslie
Struan Leslie has been working as a movement director, choreographer, director, deviser in all areas of performance and other contexts for over 40 years. His multi-faceted practice draws on his training as a dancer and choreographer at London Contemporary Dance School in the early 1980’s and led to him establishing a Movement Department at the Royal Shakespeare Company, 2009-’14. He is now Head of Movement at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff where he will has designed, and will lead, a new two year MFA in Movement. His career in its diversity, rigour and specificity seeks to define facilitate and advocate for the application of movement and the body in performance and other art forms. He also continues to mentor movement practitioners at all stages of their career.
Chapters
Introduction and guest background
Early influences and education in Dundee
Impact of Royston Maldum and Scottish Dance Theatre
Transition from Graham technique to improvisation at Naropa
Work in theatre, opera, and community projects
Creating the head of movement role at the RSC
Developing the MFA in Wales and its unique approach
Integrating diverse art forms and future aspirations
The importance of curiosity and lifelong learning
Advice for movement practitioners and educators
Closing thoughts and future plans
Links:
Struan Leslie - www.struanleslie.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/struanleslie/
RWCMD - Struan Leslie | Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
To get in touch with Sarah visit www.sarahperrymovement.com and follow @sarahperrymovement on Instagram.
To get in touch with Stephen visit www.stephenmoynihan.net and follow @stmoynihan on Instagram.