Coalesce Dance Theatre is a Manchester based, female led contemporary dance company. Directors Fern Wareham and Rachel Maffei have established an ethos that places people at the heart of their practice, specifically supporting and making space for underrepresented female voices in their work. The company aims to create structures and networks which centre women, enabling female stories of all kinds to be told through exciting and powerful dance theatre.
Coalesce approach subjects that are current and topical, uplifting and engaging audiences with their thoughtfully crafted choreography and whimsical story telling.
Coalesce Dance Theatre was formed in 2017 and have since developed a unique and daring floor based style, combining strength and fluidity with a raw and impulsive energy. ‘Coalesce Dance Theatre is an exciting new company for the region, creating work that is both relevant and engaging for a variety of audiences.’ - Company Chameleon
Coalesce are proud to have been supported by Arts Council England's Grants for the Arts/Project Grant Lottery Funding on a range of projects, including Hereafter, The Cocoon, DanceConnect and The Old Green Time Machine. The Company are also supported by The University of Salford as Alumni Artist in Residence and were the first dance company to be awarded a place on The Lowry ‘Class of' Artists' Scheme.
The company developed a pro class initiative in 2018 called DanceConnect, to support and grow the dance ecology in Manchester. Their class runs twice a week and has seen over 188 artists attend and connect. ‘What Coalesce are offering is invaluable…I think Manchester is benefiting from their energy and offer’ - Kapow Dance Circus Theatre