Hi there! I’m Emily (often referred to as ‘Labbers’) a Producer and Project Manager specialising in Dance of the African Diaspora and international collaboration.

I have worked for some of the UK’s leading dance organisations including Sadler’s Wells, Phoenix Dance Theatre and Greenwich Dance, and have significant experience of managing and producing a range of artistic projects. From dance education workshops on tour and schools partnership schemes, to festival programmes across indoor and outdoor sites, in addition to international projects working with partners in Germany, Canada and Jamaica, I love what I do and believe great things happen by bringing people together through arts and culture.

In 2016, I was invited to speak on One Dance UK’s opening panel at Launch Leeds, and in 2017 I was published in Routledge’s “What Moves You? Shaping Your Dissertation in Dance”. I am also a 2017 Clore Emerging Leader.

Based in the West Midlands, I currently work as a Freelance Producer on projects across the UK, including working with independent dance artists such as Dickson Mbi and renowned Popping Crew Fiya House, Jamaal O’Driscoll and his company O’Driscoll Collective, Julia Cheng and her interdisciplinary company House of Absolute, and Brooke Milliner.

As well as producing festivals such as Birmingham Weekender in Digbeth, I also deliver my own international programme Dancehall Origins, I was the Creative Producer for MOVE IT 2019 & 2020, and in November 2019 I joined the team at DanceXchange as Festival Producer for Birmingham International Dance Festival.

This site is a way for me to keep track of what I’m doing, as well as to share my thoughts, ideas and experiences of working in the dance industry. All views expressed are my own, and do not represent those of my employers.

If there’s a project you need support with or a show you think I should see, get in touch! Use my contact page or follow me on social media.