The Place and Hofesh Shechter Company announce a three-year research and innovation partnership to redefine performer wellbeing in international dance

The Place and Hofesh Shechter Company today announce a three-year international research and innovation partnership, funded by Jerwood Foundation, set to redefine how the dance sector cares for, trains, and sustains its artists. Two forward thinking organisations are placing dancer health and wellbeing at the centre of training and touring practice, to support career longevity and sustainable performance. The partnership will embed science-informed practice from training through to intensive world-wide touring, contributing vital evidence to inform future approaches to performer care and drive long-term sector change. 

The Place and Hofesh Shechter Company have enjoyed a rich creative exchange dating back to Shechter's Associate Artist role in the mid-2000s. Both organisations are passionate and invested in developing future generations of dance artists: Shechter II, Hofesh Shechter Company’s award-winning biennial programme, develops emerging dancers aged 18-25 years, through an intensive one-year programme focused on creation, performance, professional development, and training, providing a nurturing springboard into the profession. London Contemporary Dance School is a world-leading higher education institution at The Place, with over 50 years of pedagogical expertise and pioneering in-house dance science research driving dynamic change in curriculum delivery.

Drawing on The Place’s eight-year research programme in dance science and periodisation, embedded within the sector-leading training and curriculum at London Contemporary Dance School, Stephanie Mattiussi, Head of Dance Science and Health at LCDS, collaborated with Lucy Moelwyn-Hughes, Artist Development Producer at Hofesh Shechter Company, to deliver a Dance Science Consultancy to the last two cohorts of Shechter II dancers. Thanks to renewed funding from Jerwood Foundation to support dancers' health and wellbeing, and build strong foundations for career longevity, a body of evidence is gathered during the company's intensive UK and international touring schedule. Shechter II 2026 will be the third cohort of dancers to benefit from an evolving Dance Science consultancy alongside their programme.

The partnership announced today not only formalises a rich shared history but also represents a forward-looking commitment to co-creating a more sustainable, inclusive, and artistically ambitious future for dance training and performance.

Commenting on the partnership, Clare Connor, Chief executive at The Place says: “In interrogating what it truly means to be world-leading, we have placed longevity and sustainability at the centre of our practice at London Contemporary Dance School. This has required a fundamental rethinking of training and touring, ensuring that young dance artists, and their health and wellbeing are not an afterthought, but central to artistic excellence.

While elite sport is often positioned as the authority on endurance and high-performance training, this work asserts dance as the expert in its own field. Following a highly successful two-year pilot with Shechter II, we are now launching an ambitious three-year programme. United by a shared belief that this research represents a step-change for the sector, we are investing in a new model of professional dance training - one that prioritises sustainability, supports exceptional artistry, and reshapes the future for the next generation of dance artists.”

Hofesh Shechter adds: “My company's relationship with the Place spans over two decades - simply put, The Place forms a part of my company’s DNA.

This 3-year research partnership will see both organisations working closely together to build on the foundations of work already taking place - the addition of dance science delivery into our Shechter II professional development offer has been of huge benefit to our young artists; I am proud to be working alongside this forward-thinking institution to deepen an already rich history between our two organisations, focusing on dancer wellbeing and enriching training for the next generation of dance artists.”

Holly Brennan, LCDS alum of 2021, who was a Shechter II 2024 dancer and subsequently Rehearsal Assistant for Shechter II 2026, adds: "As a freelance dancer, the dance science principles I learnt at LCDS and touring with Shechter II are proving really helpful tools I am using a lot in my daily practice now. The level of support I received at the school and then in Shechter II made me feel very held, and it’s really important to feel supported in this way as a young dancer. I think LCDS and HSC are leading the way in this holistic approach to training and touring.”

By placing performer wellbeing at the centre of artistic excellence, this partnership sets a new global benchmark for sustainable dance practice. Together, the two partners are building a model of training, touring and professional support that could reshape industry standards worldwide, ensuring the next generation of dance artists don't just endure but thrive. 

The partnership, which runs from 2025-2028, will be overseen by a joint steering group and reviewed annually to assess impact and opportunities for further development.