Members of Elder's Dance performing in the Mead Gallery

Elders' Dance: Out of Whack

Out of Whack is an Elders’ Contemporary Dance Company for people aged 60+ who share a love of creative dance and public performing. They are a company of mixed experience dancers with a focus on creating new works to reflect the company’s collective identity.

About

Founded in 2021 by Sally Rew, the company has grown to a group of over 20 performers. Dance artist Molly Wright choreographs classes that are creatively challenging and ambitious, leading to performance pieces that speak about collective identity.

Most recently the company was commissioned to make an innovative dance piece, directed and choregraphed by Liz Aggiss, celebrating Warwick Arts Centre’s 50th anniversary. The piece, Out of Whack is Busted! was launched in November 2024 to a sold-out performance in Warwick Arts Centre’s Studio.

The programme

The company meet weekly for 90-minute classes during autumn, spring and summer terms. During these sessions, they develop their dance practice and create and rehearse new and existing performance pieces. The company has performed at Warwick Arts Centre’s Studio and Mead Gallery, and at the Hub at St Mary’s Lichfield. The company is actively seeking opportunities to perform in new settings including Elders’ Dance festivals across the country.

There are opportunities for workshops with visiting companies performing at Warwick Arts Centre including Motionhouse, Bert and Nasi and Rhiannon Faith Company.

An annual day of dance, titled Hold Your Own, takes place each June at Warwick Arts Centre and platforms new works created by Elders’ Dance companies across the country. By showcasing this work, the event aims to actively change preconceptions of older people’s dance, bringing attention to the positive presence of older people and their contributions to society. Previous partners have included Damn Fine Dance (London), Dancemind’s Dance Elders (Northamptonshire) and The Hub Dance Company (Lichfield).

Upcoming performances and events

Sunday 11 May - The Hub at St Mary's, Lichfield

Sunday 15 June - Hold Your Own, Warwick Arts Centre

To join

The company is currently at capacity, however, we do hold a waiting list for those that are interested in joining when space becomes available.

All company members must be committed to attending the weekly 90-minute sessions to ensure a quality of experience for themselves and for other members of the company. There is some flexibility, but we ask that sessions and performances are prioritised.

To be added to the waiting list please email creativelearning@warwick.ac.uk with your name, email and phone number and let us know why you are interested in joining the company.