Eliot Smith Dance (ESD) continues celebrating its 15th anniversary with a vibrant Summer 2026 Season that brings together an international residency, new digital storytelling, guest choreography, and professional training opportunities.
The season opens with an international residency in New York (22 April – 3 May) at the Taylor Centre for Dance Education, the home of the Paul Taylor Dance Company. During the residency, Eliot Smith will begin developing HUNTER, a new solo work inspired by the early industrial history of Wallsend (North Tyneside), particularly its maritime and shipbuilding heritage. Marking Smith’s return to performing after nearly five years, the piece also reflects on Paul Taylor’s early artistic life, creating a conversation between North East history and the legacy of one of America’s most influential choreographers. The residency builds on ESD’s ongoing relationship with the Taylor organisation and is supported by The Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement and the Paul Taylor Dance Foundation.
In June, ESD will premiere In Motion: Eliot Smith and the Story of ESD on ESD Online (24 June). Directed by award-winning filmmaker Elijah McDonnell, the documentary looks back at fifteen years of establishing and developing a contemporary dance company in the North East.
The summer programme also welcomes guest choreographer Lorenzo Pagano, internationally acclaimed dancer and Guest Principal Artist with the Martha Graham Dance Company, who returns to Newcastle to revive Interrupted Souls, originally commissioned by ESD in 2016. As part of the visit, Pagano will lead a Graham Technique Masterclass at Dance City (3 July) for professional dancers and those in training, followed by a special open rehearsal of the piece.
The season concludes with the ESD Summer Intensive (29–31 July) at Newcastle Dance Centre. Alongside this, ESD will continue its commitment to community engagement with youth workshops taking place across Northumberland throughout the summer.
For further information, head to eliotsmithdance.com.
