THE CREATIVE TEAM
KATY STERRAN: Artistic Director
Katy Sterran is Artistic Director of Flexus Dance Collective and Sterran Dance and Associate Artist of Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton. From the West Midlands, Sterran founded FDC in 2003, building its profile on her vision to provide high quality provision for creativity, training, performance and engagement, nurturing the talent of dancers throughout Education, early careers and the professional sector.
Sterran’s choreographic career spans over two decades, developing a reputation for innovative, collaborative, cross-art form works that challenge what it means to engage and connect with theatre and Dance.
Sterran is passionate about her work with Young People, holding over 20 years of outstanding practice in Education and the Dance sector, building a national reputation for her ability to inspire, empower and push the possibilities of Youth Dance.
MATTHEW PETERS (MadEP): Composer
Originally trained as a classical cellist, Matthew Peters has been creating his own style of music – ranging from hip-hop, electronic, avant-jazz, and neoclassical - as Mad EP for over 20 years. He has performed extensively in clubs, theatres, and festivals in the US, Canada, UK, and Europe; released several critically acclaimed albums, received global radio support, and was a DJ on Sub.FM for 6 years. His collaborations include experimental theatre productions in New York, scoring film and choreography projects in the UK and Panama, and has been featured as a cellist on tracks by Venetian Snares and Leafcutter John. He is currently a Senior Lecturer at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Birmingham.
Matthew has been working and collaborating with FDC’s Artistic Director Katy Sterran since 2020, composing for ‘#HoldingHands’ collaborative dance film and ‘All About the Fight’.
Instagram: @madepcomposer
J MAN WV (JUSTIN PHILLIPS): Grime Artist
Justin a.k.a J Man Wv is a home-grown Wolverhampton Grime Artist, with a vision and determination to positively influence the UK Grime scene. Known for his role in building the Grime Scene in the West Midlands, J Man Wv is a seasoned mc with a vast portfolio spanning almost 20 years.
J Man has featured on the likes of JDZ MEDIA, P110, GRIMEBLOG, WHOS THE BOSS, TSHW MEDIA, DRONEOLOGYUK, SOCIALNUISANCE & many more, being one of the 1st Artists from Wolverhampton to feature on the mighty SBTV, nationally putting his city firmly on the map for Grime. He has recently worked with Big Narstie & Monroe on ‘Who’s the Boss’, and regularly brings Grime Artists and Producers together through his collective ‘Social Nuisance’.
J Man collaborated with Katy Sterran & MadEP on the original soundtrack for Sterran Dance Theatre’s ‘All About the Fight’, premiering the work in Wolverhampton in 2022 & performing at B2022 Live Sites and at the Commonweath Games Boxing Games & Finals at the NEC.
YOU FIGHT LIKE YOU TRAIN
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YOU FIGHT LIKE YOU TRAIN •
MITCHELL ROBERTS: Professional Boxing Coach
Mitch is a Professional and Amateur boxing coach with over 15 years boxing experience, including boxing for England. Skilled in Mentoring, Coaching and Youth Work, Mitch’s current full-time position at Bright Star Boxing Academy sees him transforming lives through boxing and providing opportunities to influence positive pathways, working with NEET, vulnerable young people in different educational settings & providing alternative education provision.
Mitch has been integral to the development of ‘AATF - Going The Distance’ over the last 2 years, working collaboratively with Katy Sterran and the Dancers of Sterran Dance Theatre to inform the skill, integrity and authenticity of the work. Mitch is an influential and inspiring Coach and co-designer on all outreach elements of the ‘All About The Fight’ project.
JADE BARTON: Producer
Jade started her journey with Flexus Dance Collective as principle Dancer of the founding company in 2003. After graduating from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Jade continued her performance career with numerous companies including Motionhouse and James Wilton Dance. Returning to Flexus in 2015, Jade is now Managing Director of FDC co-ordinating and managing projects, platforms, performances, events, and tours, with a focus on nurturing the next generation of artists.
Overseeing the Youth Sector of Flexus Dance Collective, Jade has a repertoire of outstanding works and contributes to the organisations extensive Youth and Education programmes. Her quality and relevance as a leading practitioner in the Youth sector is augmented by her position as a Teacher of Dance in Secondary Education.
As an established performer in Sterran Dance Theatre, the professional company of FDC, Jade premiered ‘AATF’ in 2022 and was programmed for B2022 Festival Sites and at the NEC for Sport Side presentation at the Commonwealth Boxing Games & Finals.
FEED THE BELIEF, STARVE THE DOUBT
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FEED THE BELIEF, STARVE THE DOUBT •
AMY DALTON HARDY: Executive Producer
Amy has a 17 year track record of senior roles in the arts, and now works on a full-time freelance portfolio of consultancy, producing, mentoring & development projects across the UK. Amy’s background & artistic specialism is in dance, with training from University of Surrey and Trinity Laban. Amy also specialises in outdoor arts, festivals, participation & community engagement with much of that experience gained during 9 years working with artsNK & Transported as Head of Dance Development in Lincolnshire, followed by working as Senior Producer with Arches Worcester Festivals in 2021. Amy has specific experience of working in fundraising & business development; regularly working 1 to 1 with artists, companies & organisations securing over £1.25m in ACE funding, including DYCP, Project Grants & NPO since going freelance in 2020. Amy is currently Executive Producer/ Director with several artists & projects, including Propel Dance - the UK's first professional all wheelchair touring dance company. Amy is advisor & mentor to many more, a Trustee at Circomedia in Bristol and Chair of new NPO Gloucester Guildhall.
www.amydaltonhardy.co.uk
MATTHEW CAWREY: Digital Producer
Matt has worked closely with FDC over the last 7 years, developing his creative practice and becoming Digital Producer in 2021. Matt is a self-taught UK based performance and documentary photographer and videographer; having discovered photography at an early age he has worked in various photographic mediums, including wildlife and landscape photography. Over the last 10 years he has built up a successful professional practice photographing and filming performance work across the UK. This has included contemporary and South Asian dance projects, theatre rehearsals and performances as well as promotional photography for bands and performance artists.
matthewcawrey.com
VICTORY FAVOURS THE FEARLESS
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VICTORY FAVOURS THE FEARLESS •
ANTHONY ASTON : Lighting Designer
Anthony has worked as a professional in the theatre industry within Musical Theatre and Dance for over a decade, as a production electrician and designer.
His professional lighting credits include: The Last of the Pelican Daughter (2023) Birmingham Royal Conservatoire , The Trial (2023) Birmingham Royal Conservatoire, All About the Fight (2023) Sterran Dance, The Clockmakers Daughter (2022) Birmingham Royal Conservatoire, The History Boys (2020) The Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Little Women (2019) Birmingham Royal Conservatoire, Ladies Day (2018) The Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Brassed Off (2016) The Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, The Streets of Crocodiles (2015) Birmingham Royal Conservatoire.
Production Credits (Production Electrician) Include: Wizard of Oz (2023) London Palladium, 9to5 (2023) South Korea, 42nd Street (2023) Curve and Saddlers Wells, Cinderella (2022) Woking, Mu'Allaqatna (2022) Saudi Arabia, We Will Rock You (2022) Manila, &Juliet (2020-Present) West End, Australia, Canada & Broadway, Dreamgirls (2022) UK Tour, The Book of Mormon (2022) UK Tour, Bedknobs & Broomsticks (2022) UK Tour, 9to5 (2021) UK Tour, Grease (2019-2022) UK Tour and West End, The Addams Family (2021) UK Tour, The Prince of Egypt (2019) West End.
Other Credits include: Songs of Praise (2021) Moving Light Tech, Urdd Eisteddford (2022) Programmer, Diri’yah Season (2022) DesignLab Experience, Assistant Production Electrician and Crew Chief, Al Diri’yah (2018) Production Electrician.