As a dance theatre artist, Rowena creates thought provoking solo performance works that question and negotiate themes of sexuality, power and objectification in women. Since 2015 she has worked with stigmatised objects; the vertical pole and high heels, to tease out how they can add to or dissolve female subordination. Rowena’s consistent questioning has allowed her to generate a body of work that is topical, powerful and unique.
Rowena’s most recent work, Pol(e)arity of Self, was presented online to numerous audiences including Metal UK Future Network Shorts and We Want Women Vodcast. Previous to this, in 2019 she was awarded a bursary from Physical Fest, which gave her the opportunity to create a work, The Ten Inch Heels which was performed to 4 sold out audiences. Rowena has performed internationally and nationally at festivals including Resolutions, Physical Fest, Innovations Platform, Secret Circus, Threshold Festival, Cirqadia and Leap Festival.
Professional work with other artists include Jo Fong, Alexandra Pirici, Manuel Pelmus, Jennie Hale, Angie Walton, Pauline Brooks, Tanya Calimori and Luke Kalich.
Previous works
Pol(e)arity of Self – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxOluAxyfQA
The Ten Inch Heels – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFcIwjrN54s
Unstable – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKLtw7Nnt4Y
Object (auto) Biography – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAt06iPCd6A
Publications
Choreography Cards: Erotic Edition 2018
Choreography Cards for Pole Dancers 2017
Speaking through Movement eBook 2015
Conferences
Symposium: Costume, Scenography and Critical Theory, Arts University Bournemouth
Our Dance Democracy, Liverpool Hope University
Dance HE: Sustaining the Discipline, Embedding the Right to Dance in 21st Century
Regarding teaching, Rowena has developed and delivered workshops in her unique style, visiting various studios, Universities and Colleges across the region.
