Marie-Louise is an experienced professional dance artist, performer & award winning choreographer with 25 years’ experience, working extensively with renowned dance makers & theatre directors. Marie-Louise received a One Dance UK Award for inspiring leader of the future in 2015. She was a finalist in major contemporary choreography award The Place Prize in 2005 and nominated for a Total Theatre Award 2007. She has created many Arts Council funded projects & commissions for a range of exciting collaborations and productions of her own between 2004 and 2014. Marie-Louise Joined Mandala Theatre Company in Oxford in June 2021 as movement director and choreographer.Additionally, she has recently resumed collaborative work with The Velcro Collective in Gloucestershire – a relationship that began 15 years ago in its earlier form as Velcro Dance Company. She performs equine dance and trained in equine assisted therapy & learning at foundation level 2021 with Equine Therapy Centre Avening. With a DYCP grant she has been developing practice 'Equine Connection' through somatic movement, dance & creativity.
She danced with tap dance company Sole Rebel touring across the UK for 5 years, alongside dancing in projects with Swindon Dance resident company Swerve Dance Theatre. From 1994 and 2002 she was a core company member with internationally renowned dance company Seven Sisters Group, who’s groundbreaking productions were performed at The Royal Opera House, Royal Festival Hall, The National Theatre, St Pancreas Chambers, V&A Museum, Selfridges, The Place Theatre and train stations across Europe. She went on to dance for Emma Teixidor ( Seven Sisters ) in her company El Paller, Girona.
Marie-Louise has enjoyed working extensively over the years as a freelance performer for independent choreographers & directors including the renowned Yael Flexer, Rosmary Lee, Andrew Tidmarsh RSC, Lila Dialo, Helen Crocker & Robert Hyllton, Tony Adigun, Mehrdad Seyf 30 Bird Productions and Peter Anderson Last Legs Dance Theatre.
Marie-Lou’s vintage song & dance duo The Mary Lou Revue, is hugely popular and has gained a reputation as classic engaging fun performance. MLR received ACE funding 2019 - 2020 to tour Bedside Cabaret & Covid Safe Cabaret project in 2021 - 2022. She has choreographed & performed with Curious Company since 2007 touring extensively around the UK with outdoor productions Mr Wippy & the Conette’s, Alice & Mr Chirrups Global Bug Safari & The Little Mermaid an aqua spectacle in Swimming pools with performers and synchronised swimmers. Her work in the entertainment sector has included clients BBC, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Pierre Cardin, Yves Laurent, Star Cruises Asia to name a few. She has entertained at a host of celebrity events, parties, award ceremonies, film premieres and music concerts and danced in The Big Chill's resident dance company' contrived & exaggerated with acclaimed DJs & musicians. She has created and performed for cult pop musicians Sparks & Jarvis Cocker.
Marie-Louise has many years experience of teaching and leading inclusive dance practice for adults, children and older people.
Arrival By Horse
Award winning discovery film by Robyn Pete
Mandala Theatre Company
Marie-Louise is choreographer & movement director at Mandala Theatre Company ( NPO ) Oxford.
Current project: Paradise Lost
Vist Mandala Theatre Company http://mandalatheatre.co.uk
Photo: Walk with Amal - Mandala Theatre Company
Marie-Louise Flexen is an experienced dance & creative movement teacher. One Dance UK awarded her a South-West 'inspiring leader of the future' Working freelance Marie-Louise facilitates dance across a wide range of community settings for children, teens , young adults & adults . She has extensive experience of delivery in health/ well being, participatory arts and inclusive practice. She has reached hundreds of people who face disabling barriers such as physical and learning, dementia, frailty, addiction recovery & mental health. She has worked with disadvantage children, ex offenders, refugees & children in referral school.
Currently she works with Yasmin Sidhwa & Mandala Theatre Company in Oxford on a range of projects. www.mandalatheatre.co.uk
Recently trained in equine assisted therapy & learning at foundation level. Funded with a bursary from Equine Therapy Centre Avening and a DCD grant ( dancers career development grant. Marie Louise is developing ways for horses and humans to find connection through creativity and learning alongside one another.
Quote - Diane Amans Independent Dance Artist / Professional Development Consultant - Marie-Lou combines a high level of performance skills with excellent person-centred practice. Her approach is very empowering for participants who become genuinely engaged in a creative experience rather than being passive recipients of entertainment. www.equinetherapy.center
Marie-Louise teaches youth contemporary, tap & InterdepenDance creative dance and movement for adults with additional needs
DANCE FOR CAMERAS HAVE BEEN SCREENED AT THE FOLLOWING EVENTS
The Wilson Gallery, Cheltenham alongside 'The Kiss' by Rodin.
Horsemanship Showcase 2020 ( See Barehoof Productions )
Sun Dance Pavillion Dance South West ( See 'The Joy of Living' at Last Legs Dance Theatre )
Oxford Festival of the Arts - Global Dance Film Projects
Cher Art - Online exhibition national and international
Swindon Dance
Boisfest , Serbia
Cultural Olympiad ICCI360, Arena Plymouth
National Museum of Scotland
Together Disability Arts Festival ( UKDPC ) London
Royal Ballet Programme , Derby
Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema, USA
Liberty , British Film Institute, London
Abilities Film Festival, Toronto
Breaking Down Barriers Film Festival, Moscow
Quinzena de Daza Almanda Contemporary Dance Fest
CODA Oslo International Dance Festival
DaDa Fest @ Fact
3rd Frame, Portugal
Norwich Film Festival
Inshadow, Portugal
Awards: Cornwall Film Festival