Yael Flexer
Yael Flexer is an award winning choreographer based in Brighton, UK. Yael's work is primarily concerned with interaction, connecting with an audience on a human and visceral level. The work has a subtlety that is apparent in the movement choices, wry humour and informal on-stage dialogue between performers and the audience. Works play with the space in-between formal and informal presentation, driven by fast-paced movement, intricate patterning and tight choreographic structure whilst also reflecting on the overlapping between performance and the everyday. The apparent informality and simplicity of presentation engenders an intimacy between performers and audience members allowing for boundaries to spill over and the here and now of performance to resonate.
Yael became choreographer in Residence at The Place Theatre in 1993 and formed Bedlam Dance Company in 1995 whilst Artist in residence at Swindon Dance. In 1997 Yael won the Jerwood Award for choreographers.
In recent years Yael has expanded her work in digital dance working in close collaboration with digital artist Nic Sandiland. In 2009 they consolidated their ongoing collaboration to form production company Yael Flexer, Nic Sandiland/Dance & Digital Works.
To date, Yael has created 10 full-length productions, touring extensively in major festivals throughout the UK and internationally and has been commissioned to create live and interactive works for among others: Sadler’s Wells, Woking Dance Festival, The South Bank Centre, The Arts Depot, London, The Circus Space. The Engine Room, Somerset, E-Werk International Festival/Bewegungs Art, (Freiburg, Germany) and, Dies de Dansa, (Barcelona, Spain). Commissions as an independent artist include: Ludus Dance Company, Gravity & Levity, Scottish Dance Theatre, Bath International Music Festival, The National Theatre, Edge, Laban Centre, Influx, Lila & Loop Dance Companies.
Israeli born, Yael trained at London Contemporary Dance School completing a BA (Hons) in 1992 and an MA in 1995. In 2005 Yael was awarded a research bursary from The University of Chichester and is currently completing a practice-based MPhil/PhD. Yael also directs mapdance the University’s postgraduate touring company.