Continuing our 15th anniversary year, Eliot Smith Dance launches an exciting Summer 2026 Season 🤍
From an international residency in New York developing “HUNTER”, to the premiere of our new documentary “In Motion: Eliot Smith and the Story of ESD”, the return of guest choreographer Lorenzo Pagano, our 2026 Summer Intensive in Newcastle, and workshops for youth across Northumberland — it’s a season of creation, collaboration, and connection.
Join us this summer 🫶
Discover more and book now:
/summer2026
📸 Interrupted Souls by Lorenzo Pagano.
Dancer: Eliot Smith
Photographer: Simon Drew
#EliotSmithDance #ESD15 #Announcement #Dance #NorthEast
As we prepare to revive Interrupted Souls by Lorenzo Pagano @pagano_lorenzo791 and welcome Lorenzo back to Eliot Smith Dance in the North East, we’ve been diving deep into the archives.
We’re delighted to share these beautiful digital prints from drawings by Bernadette Koranteng @bernadettekorantengart , capturing Eliot in rehearsal for Interrupted Souls nearly a decade ago.
As part of this revival, we’re also looking forward to two special upcoming events celebrating the return of this powerful work and offering audiences a chance to reconnect with Lorenzo’s artistic associations with the Martha Graham Dance Company and Interrupted Souls.
Masterclass: Graham Technique with Lorenzo Pagano
Dance City @dance_city_newcastle , Fri 3 Jul 9:30 AM
Interrupted Souls: Studio Sharing
Dance City @dance_city_newcastle , Fri 3 Jul, 4:00 PM
Limited places available — book via link in bio!
#LorenzoPagano #EliotSmithDance #Drawing #InterruptedSouls #Dance
SUMMER INTENSIVE 2026 is nearly at full capacity! Only a few spaces remaining 🧡
Join Eliot Smith Dance for an exclusive 3-day intensive at Newcastle Dance Centre @newcastledancecentre as part of our 15 Year Celebrations.
This year, we also celebrate 100 years of Martha Graham, alongside 15 years of ESD.
🗓️ 29–31 July
What’s Included:
• Contemporary class (Graham-based)
• Ballet class
• ESD Repertory
• Studio Sharing Performance
• Cool Down Session
• Coaching & personalised feedback from Eliot Smith
Train 💥 Create 💥 Perform 💥 Celebrate
🔗 Register now via the link in our bio!
#EliotSmithDance #DanceIntensive #Ballet #ContemporaryDance #Graham100
Go behind the scenes of HUNTER — a rare first look inside the first rehearsal process of Eliot Smith’s new solo work, premiering later this year at Alphabetti Theatre @alphabetti_theatre on 03 December 2026.
Marking his return to the studio as a dancer for the first time in five years, Eliot invites audiences into the earliest stages of creation through movement exploration.
Filmed during Eliot Smith Dance (ESD) residency at the Taylor Centre for Dance Education in New York.
🎥 HUNTER: Inside the Studio
🎟 Available exclusively to ticket holders on ESD Online – tickets available via link in bio
📅 Watch for 48 hours from Friday 8 May 2026, 19:00 BST
🎶 Music HUNTER by composer Adam Johnson @adam.pianist
#EliotSmithDance #ESD #Dance #DanceOnline #DigitalDance
Following Eliot Smith’s residency at the Taylor Centre for Contemporary Dance @taylor_dancecenter in New York, step inside the studio to discover what he’s been creating 🤍
This period of exploration and making has shaped new work and now you can discover behind the scenes.
🔗 Click link in bio or: /returningtothestudio
Eliot Smith Dance extends sincere thanks to the Paul Taylor Dance Foundation @paultaylordance and The Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement @accharitablesettlement for their support and generosity throughout the residency, and to all supporters who make this work possible.
Coming soon 👀
A behind-the-scenes glimpse into HUNTER, captured during the residency, will be available to view from Friday 8 May for 48 hours via ESD Online 🎟️ Click link in bio for tickets.
📸 Photo of Eliot Smith. Photographer Yamit Salazar.
#EliotSmithDance #HUNTER #ContemporaryDance #NewWork #BehindTheScenes
And just like that, our final day in residence at the Taylor Center for Dance Education 🤍
Today closed with an informal studio sharing, offering a glimpse into Eliot’s early movement research and the beginnings of HUNTER—a chance to see him back in the studio, not only as a choreographer, but as a dancer.
We leave feeling grateful, challenged, and inspired. We look forward to seeing the next stage of development of Hunter.
With sincere thanks to the Paul Taylor Dance Foundation @paultaylordance@taylor_dancecenter for their generosity, trust, support, and The Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement @accharitablesettlement .
#Hunter #EliotSmithDance #Dance #NewYork #NewWork
A glimpse of Eliot Smith in rehearsals on International Dance Day, creating his new solo work, HUNTER, for the autumn season.
Today, we celebrate and thank all the dancers who have shaped 15 years of Eliot Smith Dance, alongside our wider dance community, collaborators, partners, Friends of ESD, and audiences who continue to support the journey.
🎶 Music by Adam Johnson for Hunter @adam.pianist
#InternationalDanceDay #Dance #EliotSmithDance #DanceLover #Movement
And so it begins…
In residence at the Taylor Centre for Dance Education, home to Paul Taylor Dance Company, Eliot Smith returns to the studio today not only as choreographer, but as a dancer, stepping back into performance after nearly five years away from the stage. 🤍
HUNTER is underway — a new solo shaped by heritage, movement, and the experience of returning to the body with time. Rehearsed by Yamit Salazar @yamit_salazar , and featuring newly composed music by Adam Johnson @adam.pianist .
Watch this space for behind-the-scenes moments from the studio.
📸 Image of Eliot Smith. Photographer Yamit Salazar.
ESD gratefully acknowledges the support of The Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement @accharitablesettlement , Paul Taylor Dance Foundation @paultaylordance@taylor_dancecenter , Friends of ESD, and Crowdfunder donors.
#Hunter #EliotSmithDance #BehindTheScenes #Dance #NewYork
Next week, Eliot Smith returns to the studio not only as choreographer, but as a dancer, after nearly five years away from the stage. 🤍
His new work, HUNTER, draws inspiration from the shipyard heritage of Wallsend and Eliot’s continued connection to the Taylor Centre for Dance Education @taylor_dancecenter in New York, home to Paul Taylor Dance Company @paultaylordance . This new solo also reflects the challenge of returning to performance, exploring how the body changes and moves differently with time.
Watch this space for behind-the-scenes insights 👀🎬
For a closer look, step inside the making of the piece with HUNTER: Inside the Studio, streaming on ESD Online from Fri 8 May, 7pm BST 📺
Tickets available via the link in bio 🎟️
📸 Image of Eliot Smith. Photographer Darren Irwin.
ESD gratefully acknowledges the support of The Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement @accharitablesettlement , Paul Taylor Dance Foundation, Friends of ESD, and Crowdfunder donors.
#Hunter #EliotSmithDance #BehindTheScenes #Dance #NewYork
In Motion #BTS 🎬 🤍
Another day on set — and this time, creating alongside composer Adam Johnson @adam.pianist as we bring Eliot’s story even closer to home.
Honing in on Eliot’s roots, his inspirations, and the personal moments that shaped the journey behind ESD.
Across the North East of England. New locations. Honest moments. And more behind the camera as the vision continues to unfold.
This is only getting started.
In Motion: Eliot Smith and the Story of ESD. A documentary by directed by Elijah McDonnell @elijah.mcdonnelll — Coming to ESD Online on 24 June 2026.
#InMotion #ESD15 #EliotSmithDance #Film
📣 Youth Dance Intensive – Amble, Northumberland 📣
This Summer, Eliot Smith Dance (ESD) is delighted to host a three-day Youth Dance Intensive this August in Amble, Northumberland 🤍
Open to ages 8–17, this exciting programme invites young people of all experience levels to explore movement, creativity, and gain insight into ESD’s work in a supportive, professional environment. Participants will also play a key role in launching the new Northumberland Youth Dance Group (NYDG), beginning in January 2027.
📍 Conference Room, Amble Development Trust
📅 5–7 August 2026
🕘 Ages 8–12: 9:00am–12:30pm
🕐 Ages 13–17: 1:00pm–4:30pm
Led by professional artists, this is a unique opportunity to develop skills, confidence, and creativity.
⚡ Spaces are limited – register now:
/youthintensive
💭 For questions, access, or want to know more please email [email protected]
ESD acknowledges the support from Amble Development Trust.
#Amble #Northumberland #Dancers #YouthDance #EliotSmithDance
Over the Easter break, Eliot Smith Dance delivered six contemporary dance workshops as part of the Easter HAF Extravaganza at The Lighthouse Project @lighthouseprojectbyker in Byker, Newcastle.
Working with children—many new to dance—we explored creativity, movement, and self-expression in a fun and supportive space. It’s been amazing to see confidence grow and new skills develop across the sessions.
A huge thank you to everyone involved, and to the brilliant young dancers who brought such energy and creativity 💫
📸 Photo of Eliot Smith surrounded by some of the youth participants. Image courtesy of The Lighthouse Project.
#EliotSmithDance #ContemporaryDance #HAF2026 #Newcastle #YouthDance
