Effie took on the role of co-assistant director and co-founded MÓTUS dance festival in 2014 alongside Chris Bradley and under the leadership of Helen Parlor. She parted ways with the festival in summer 2018.
The team organised the inaugural festival which took place over two days in June 2014 showcasing dance from youth to professional level in Milton Keynes. The festival featured works in both a site-specific capacity in Margaret Powell Square as well as in a more traditional theatre context at The Venue MK. Works were presented by Theo Clinkard, Motionhouse, Anjali Dance Company, Ffin Dance and Two Thirds Sky to name but a few.
In 2015, the festival focussed on site-specific work with a trail from Margaret Powell Square into Campbell Park. The choreographic commissions specifically responded to sites along the way culminating at the MK Rose.
For 2016, the festival returned to its 2 day format featuring works both inside and outside, in partnership with Milton Keynes Gallery and the Chrysalis Theatre. Visiting companies and artists included Flexer & Sandiland, Keira Martin and Moxie Brawl.
Effie's final festival as an assistant director for MÓTUS came in 2018 - featuring a programme spanning 3 weeks. Performances took place in traditional theatre venues at Stantonbury Theatre and the Chrysalis Theatre, as well as less traditional venues - The Craufurd Arms and centre:mk. Companies featured in the festival programme included 2Faced Dance Company, Mark Bruce Company, Company Chameleon, James Cousins Company and Alleyne Dance.
If you are interested in current MÓTUS activity please head to their website here.
During Effie's time with MÓTUS, the team began to establish a workshop offer in Milton Keynes throughout the year. Workshops with visiting companies were delivered by Gecko, Southpaw and Motionhouse amongst others.
Between festivals, Effie also supported Work-in-Progress platform events for emerging artists and companies as a continuing feature of the MÓTUS calendar; these followed a format of having a panel of professionals to provoke audience discussion as well as providing verbal and written feedback to those presenting work.
Jump Start, a youth dance platform, also became part of the yearly calendar of MÓTUS from 2016. Effie supported 3 of the events during her time with the team - managing the social media promotion, supporting backstage and leading workshops for youth dancers as part of the day.