Georgia Tegou

About

 

Choreographer and stage director, Georgia Tegou’s work approaches 'Dance-as-design', intertwining choreography with design to create immersive visual environments. Drawing inspiration from architecture, sculpture, fashion, and visual arts, her work explores the symbiotic relationship between dance and spatial arts, seeking to encapsulate the nuances of the human condition. Fascinated by the internal, unspoken, and visceral aspects of human emotions, as well as by form, function, and structure, the work delves into these challenging realms. It navigates the spaces between, aiming to open up new perspectives and innovative forms.

Objects of the set, lighting, and costumes become integral performative elements, impacting the dramaturgy. This expanded artistic practice explores what can be choreographed within an environment, directing bodies and spatial elements. The performances and installations are created through collaborative processes resulting in experiences that blend contemporary dance, visual physical theatre and performance art.

With notable milestones including opening the Dance Umbrella International Festival 2022 and presenting works at Sadler's Wells, the Royal Opera House, Onassis Stegi, the Greek National Opera, the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2021, The Place, ZfinMalta National Dance Company, Southbank Centre, The Whitechapel Gallery among others, Tegou's practice has received acclaim. Her work has been described as 'Visually evocative' (Eckhard Thiemann/The Lowry) 'Dreamlike, (The Times), 'Tremendously clever’, ‘Admirably Strong’ (Sanjoy Roy), ‘work that’s shifting and challenging dance and its intersectionality to broaden access to wider communities’ (Dance Umbrella). She has choreographed two official music videos for dance-pop cult favorite Róisín Murphy, ‘Plaything’ and ‘The Rumble’ and she has directed fashion editorials.

Photo by Piotr Motyka

Photo by Piotr Motyka

Trained at the Greek National School of Dance (KSOT) and the Professional Dance School ‘Rallou Manou’ in Athens she received education in both classical and contemporary dance. After performing with dance companies in Greece she moved to London to pursue studies in choreography composition. In 2013 she attained a Master of Fine Arts in Choreography with Distinction from the University of Roehampton, where she continued working as a Senior Lecturer in Dance until 2022. She is a Higher Education Academy Fellow, she was recognized with an ‘Excellence in Teaching Award’ and she guest lectures globally. She was awarded a OneDanceUK Choreographers Observership and worked with Royal Opera House movement director and choreographer, Kate Flatt. Recipient of the Choreodrome 2021 residency at The Place and the Studio Light Moves/Open Futures residency and development award at Dance Limerick Ireland, Tegou continues to produce genre-bending work. Her upcoming work, 'Homecoming,' in collaboration with visual artist Kristina Pulejkova, an ambitious and accessible dance and virtual reality performance and immersive experience, is commissioned by The Place, supported by The Lowry and Dance East and is in partnership with Candoco Dance Company. She is currently an artist in residence at Somerset House Exchange, a programme supporting extraordinary interdisciplinary practitioners. 

Tegou is also a classical pianist, she has studied International and European Economics and Politics and holds an MSc in Applied Economics and Finance (AUEB).


DANCE-AS-DESIGN STUDIO

The Dance-as-design Studio functions as both a creative hub and a production company, based at Somerset House Exchange in London. Embracing the belief that innovation flourishes through diverse collaboration, the studio actively promotes transdisciplinary partnerships, placing dance at the heart of its endeavors. 

Current collaborators include: 

KRISTINA PULEJKOVA

JSMITH ESQUIRE

THE RADICANT

UNCHARTED LIMBO COLLECTIVE

SARAH DERAT

Photo by Nikolas Louka

Photo by Nikolas Louka