Press Release: Ballet Queer presents the premiere of This is How I Move: Naia from 14 November

[Jan McNulty]

 

Ballet Queer presents the premiere of This is How I Move: Naia

 

 

To coincide with Trans Awareness Week, Ballet Queer presents the premiere of This is How I Move: Naia, a new dance film directed by Jonathan Watkins and featuring dancer Naia Bautista, available via Ballet Queer’s YouTube channel and Nowness from the 14 November 2024.

 

Exploring Naia Bautista’s experience as a trans woman and dancer, This is How I Move starts at a point where dance exists in her body but not in her authentic self. Through moments of contemplation, the film explores Naia’s journey through transitioning and relationship to movement, as she challenges and rewrites her lived experience to discover a new world through dance.  

 

Of This is How I Move Jonathan Watkins, Artistic Director of Ballet Queer, said: “Working with a team of 14 Queer artists to bring Naia’s story and amazing artistry to the screen has been a privilege and a joy. We are so proud that this film launches the first public facing work from Ballet Queer and we look forward to bringing more important and exciting stories from across the LGBTQ+ community to life as our work continues.”

 

Dancer Naia Bautista added: “Working with Ballet Queer has been a deeply rewarding experience, marked by thoughtful collaboration and a shared commitment to inclusivity and creativity. It's been inspiring to work with such a diverse team that not only values everyone’s individual skills and voice, but also strives toward the same goals - creating meaningful, impactful art that reflects a range of experiences and identities. The unity and passion within the company made this project and will make any future projects feel like a collective triumph.”

 

Founded in 2023 by award-winning director and choreographer Jonathan Watkins, Ballet Queer is the UK’s first LGBTQ+ ballet company. It aims to create work that represents Queer identities and experiences, exploring and challenging what ballet can be today, and showcasing the talents of LGBTQ+ artists. This is How I Move marks the first film and public facing work from the company. 

 

Following 10 years as a dancer with The Royal Ballet, Jonathan has created a range of productions inspired by literary works including the award-winning 1984 for Northern Ballet, Kes Reimagined for The Space and BBC Arts, and Reasons to Stay Alive for Sheffield Theatres and English Touring Theatre. He has created ballets for international companies in America, Russia and the Philippines, and worked on plays at the National Theatre, Donmar Warehouse and The Royal Court. 

 

Having trained at English National Ballet School, Naia has worked with a range of leading organisations including Birmingham Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Polish Ballet, and more recently Studio Wayne McGregor. Deeply rooted in classical ballet, Naia’s artistic influences have been shaped by her extensive experience with professional company’s and research in traditional dance forms. 

 

This is How I Move is a Ballet Queer Production, with movement conceived by Naia Bautista and Jonathan Watkins, cinematography by Rufai Ajala and an original new score by ILA. Commissioned by The Space, with support from Arts Council England, Shoreditch Town Hall, and Moth. Presented in association with Trans on Screen.

 

Fiona Morris, Creative Director and Chief Executive of The Space said: “The Space is thrilled to be able to support Ballet Queer in its mission to amplify LGBTQ+ talent and stories through dance. This is How I Move: Naia is the company’s first dance film and will introduce audiences to the work of the organisation. Premiering during Transgender Awareness Week, the film takes audiences on a choreographic journey through stunning visuals, poetic voice over and a movement responsive sound score which creates a powerful portrait of Naia's transgender journey and challenges perceptions of what ballet can be."  

 

An audio described version of the film will also be available from 14 November via Ballet Queer’s YouTube channel. 

 

Notes to Editors 

 

Biographies

 

Naia Bautista - Performer

Leaving Gibraltar at the age of 16, Naia Bautista began her training at English National Ballet School. This experience led her to a diverse range of experiences in the arts which afforded her the privilege of collaborating with institutions and artists such as Birmingham Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Polish National Ballet, Disney, Universal Pictures, Nowness, Moschino, Anthony Costanzo, BBC Proms, Andrea Bocelli, English National Opera, The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, and, more recently, Studio Wayne McGregor.

 

Naia’s artistic journey is rooted in a classical background, shaped by extensive work experience and research in traditional dance forms. What truly drives her practice is the art of storytelling and the innate passion and desire to facilitate the narratives of others.

 

Jonathan Watkins - Director

Jonathan Watkins is an award-winning Director and Choreographer. He was a Dancer and Choreographer for The Royal Ballet for 10 years and since then has created a variety of productions using books for inspiration, taking them from page to the stage. Highlights Include: "1984' for Northern Ballet (Winner of Best New Dance Production at The Southbank Sky Arts Awards and Best Classical Choreography at Critics Circle National Dance Awards); 'Kes Reimagined' with The Space for BBC TV and The Times Best-selling Book 'Reasons To Stay Alive' by Matt Haig for Sheffield Theatres and English Touring Theatre.

He has made new ballets for international companies in America, Russia and the Philippines and in London worked on plays at The National Theatre, Donmar Warehouse and The Royal Court. He directed 'Sofa, 'Bunker' and 'Imperfect Perfection' for screen and was the dance Clore Fellow for The Clore Fellowship in 2021. He launched the first LGBTQ+ focused ballet company, Ballet Queer, in 2023 to create authentic work that represents Queer identities and experiences, explore and challenge what ballet can be and showcase the talents of other LGBTQ+ artists

 

Ballet Queer

Launched in September 2023 as the U.K.'s first LGBTQ+ ballet company, founded and led by the Award-winning Choreographer, Jonathan Watkins. The project-based company is dedicated to creating authentic work that reflects Queer identities and experiences. With a mission to redefine the boundaries of ballet, exploring its potential while showcasing the diverse talents of LGBTQ+ artists. www.balletqueer.com

 

ILA- Composer

Multifaceted artist and producer, ILĀ’s work traverses ethereal non-binary vocal timbre, dense sonic textures and quantum data sonification. Their practice explores fluidity from personal identity to socio-economic systems, focusing on physics, philosophy, and technology. ILĀ has performed globally, including alongside Turner Prize 2023 winner Jessie Darling’s MISERERE, and on projects like Loomaland's Robot Swans, Kindred VR, the European Space Agency, and Little Amal - The Walk Productions & Handspring Puppet Company. ILĀ recently performed at Silencio, Paris and Puzzle X, Barcelona as part of MOTH - Quantum Computer Music. As co-founder/director of legendary choir London Contemporary Voices, ILĀ has worked with over 20 Grammy winning artists including Alt-J, Imogen Heap and U2 as well as BBC Proms, the Harry Potter Play and fashion shows for designers such as Burberry and Tommy Hilfiger. In 2022, they co-founded Trans Voices, the U.K.'s first professional trans+ choir. ILĀ sits on the Ivors Academy Future Sound Experience Council, is a member of Earth/Percent Music Committee, a Redcliffe Advisory ambassador and a PhD supervisor and research partner (AI & Music) at University of Sheffield. ILĀ is co-founder/ creative director of Maison Mercury Jones, the UK’s first (and only) trans+/LGBTQIA/POC led music branding agency working exclusively with composers from under-represented backgrounds. https://www.hausofila.com/

 

Rufai Ajala - Cinematographer

A graduate of the prestigious National and Television Film School, specialising in Cinematography in the United Kingdom, Roo works as a Cinematographer & Certified Intimacy Coordinator. Selected as a Screen Daily Star of Tomorrow and featured in British Cinematographer Magazine, Roo’s work is recognised and celebrated across the industry.

https://rufaiajala.com/

 

The Space is the UK’s leading digital agency working in the cultural sector. Originally founded by the

BBC and Arts Council England, the company supports arts, cultural and heritage organisations across

the UK to build skills and produce digital creative content for online and broadcast platforms, as well

as site-specific digital experiences. thespace.org | @thespacearts