Our Emerging Leader programme supports dancers in their career development off-stage. The programme is designed to enhance their leadership skills as they transition into new stages of their professional lives. We offer two strands of this programme: Take Part- looking at all aspects of the Take Part programmes from producing to delivery and Production - looking at all aspects of staging a show both creatively and from a people management perspective.
Pia Driver is one of New Adventures’ most seasoned dancers. Pia recently completed her year-long tenure on the Emerging Leader programme, working with the Take Part team and shadowing our Take Part Creative Director, Kerry Biggin.
We caught up Pia to discuss the highlights of the programme for her and where it will be taking her next.
How long have you been with New Adventures, and what is your history with the company?
I joined Swan Lake in 2002 as a dancer. I then went on to perform in Nutcracker!, Edward Scissorhands, Sleeping Beauty and The Car Man. I have been a Dance Captain, Rehearsal Director and Resident Director during that time. I have also organised the company auditions since 2016.
What attracted you to the Emerging Leader programme?
A chance to learn something new within the organisation and to see how skills from the dance studio and onstage can be transferred to the office environment.
What have you found most valuable about this programme?
The real insight into the company and how it is run. Learning more about the charity and how it is interlinked with the productions and getting a better understanding of the people who all help to make New Adventures what it is today.
How will you use what you have learned in the next stage of your career?
To hopefully be able to work again in an industry and within a company that I love. Dance doesn’t leave you when you stop performing on stage, it is part of who you are as a person. I now know it is possible to find an alternative role in the dance industry and continue to love my work the way I always have.
And what’s next for you Pia Driver?
I know that talent development is something I am really interested in. I think it is important to be able to nurture those dancers coming through the industry and who may want to be part of the company someday. I feel I have a lot of knowledge about the shows and the company that I would like to pass on.
Katrina Lyndon is currently our Production Emerging Leader which she is doing alongside her role as Girlfriend, Queen and Dance Captain in the UK and international Swan Lake: The Next Generation tour.
The next Take Part Emerging Leader will be Bryony Pennington who will begin the programme during the upcoming UK tour of The Midnight Bell.
