Hofesh Shechter

“Shechter is a true original” - Judith Mackrell, The Guardian, December 3, 2005

Winner of the Critic’s Circle National Dance Award for Best Choreography (modern) in 2008 Hofesh Shechter is one of the UK’s most exciting artists.  Recognised as both a choreographer and composer Hofesh recently premiered his new work Political Mother to universal acclaim.

Hofesh graduated from the Jerusalem Academy for Dance and Music before moving to Tel Aviv to join the world renowned Batsheva Dance Company. Hofesh began drum and percussion studies whilst in Tel Aviv and continued later in Paris at the Agostiny College of Rhythm. In 2002 Hofesh arrived in the UK.

His choreographic debut, Fragments, for which he also created the score, toured both nationally and internationally to Finland, Italy, Portugal, Korea, and Poland, where the piece won first place in the 3rd Serge Diaghilev choreography competition. In 2004 Hofesh was commissioned by The Place Prize to create the sextet, Cult. The work was one of five selected finalists and was announced winner of the Audience Choice Award.  From 2004 to 2006 Hofesh was Associate Artist at The Place and was commissioned by the Robin Howard Foundation to create Uprising, his ever-popular work for seven men. The three works formed the triple bill deGENERATION, Hofesh’s first full evening of work.

In 2007 The Place, Southbank Centre and Sadler’s Wells, collaborated on a unique producing venture, commissioning Hofesh to create In your rooms and culminated in sell-out shows at Sadler’s Wells Theatre.  In your rooms was nominated for a South Bank Show Award and won the Critics Circle Award for Best Choreography (modern) in 2008. 

In 2009 Hofesh created The Choreographer’s Cut – commissioned by Sadler’s Wells and performed at London’s iconic Roundhouse for which he reworked his acclaimed double bill Uprising/In your rooms. In 2009 Hofesh was commissioned by Brighton Festival to create The Art of Not Looking Back which was inspired by and made for six female dancers. An outdoor version of the work was presented at Latitude Festival later that year.  In May 2010 his first full length work Political Mother premiered at the Brighton Festival and subsequently embarked on a world tour for the rest of the year.

Hofesh worked as choreographer at The Royal Court Theatre for Motortown by Simon Stephens (2006), and on The Arsonists (2007), collaborating with Director Ramin Gray on both productions.  Hofesh was choreographer for the National Theatre’s award winning production of Saint Joan (2007). Hofesh also choreographed the hit dance sequence ‘Maxxie’s Dance’ for the opening of the second series of Channel 4’s popular drama Skins.

Hofesh is an Associate Artist of Sadler’s Wells and Hofesh Shechter Company is Resident Company at Brighton Dome.