Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 01/10/2025Very familiar with this feeling at the moment - freelancing out there is a ride, starting to wonder if it's time to get off! 010
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 08/08/2025Happy International Cat Day 🐈 to everyone, but especially these two! 010
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 07/08/2025Flying Low, Release, Limón, Inclusive Practice: all on the menu! 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 07/08/2025Was reminded last night, even when things feel tough, sometimes just getting in a studio and dancing helps... I love to be guided by brilliant humans...and we have some brilliant humans coming to lead workshops in Milton Keynes this August: www.eventbrite.com/e/adult-cont...eventbrite.comAdult Contemporary Dance WorkshopsFour contemporary dance workshops for adults (16+) in Milton Keynes. 100
Reposted by Effie McGuire WardFreelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 26/07/2025Yasmin Khan, Arts Council England's Director for Individual Practitioners, talks about the importance of freelancers, reflecting on her own experiences and shares her vision to bring about a better future for cultural and creative practitioners. www.artscouncil.org.uk/blog/lets-cr...artscouncil.org.ukLet’s Create with, by and for freelancersYasmin Khan, Individual Practitioners director, discusses the problems freelancers face and our work to support them. 042
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 11/07/2025I have never changed outfits 3 times in an audition before today... 6 hours of sweaty dancing and contact 🥵 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 07/07/2025Thoughts on rejection from Daisy Howell: "Are you archiving which artists...have been applying for the long term (maybe thats an indication of their ability to survive despite rejection - a useful note if the project demands a high level of success...)" www.thegrittyleader.com/blog-1-1/fac...thegrittyleader.comFacing Rejection (but creating anyways) — The Gritty LeaderJuly 2025 - 8 Minute Read Let’s be honest: rejection is a major player in the arts. Whether you're freelancing across sectors or delivering big projects in a corporate boardroom, the sting of a "no... 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 07/07/2025"working in the arts has, in recent years, come to feel like a privilege to be eternally grateful for- even to the point of guilt. That can be confusing, especially after having functioned for so long as a credible, meaningful arts professional" - Antonia Grove www.antoniagrove.co.uk/blog/okfrep9...antoniagrove.co.ukSelling Out, Showing Up, and Staying True — Antonia Grove 010
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 28/06/2025Warning: it takes longer than suggested/ estimated! 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 24/06/2025Can really feel it in terms of contemporary dance - nowadays inevitably have to go to London to see anything... Which makes me all the more excited that next week I can see dance touring to Banbury: www.themillartscentre.co.uk/shows/aftera...themillartscentre.co.ukAfter All » The Mill Arts Centre“bursting with vitality” ★★★★ The Times “Weinachter hits the spot every time” ★★★★ The Scotsman “confidently… 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 28/05/2025(As in getting a no, is better than hearing nothing at all) 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 28/05/2025Genuinely appreciate getting rejection emails, and I'm sure telling me the number of applications received is meant to soften the blow... It's just that hearing 400/ 700/ 1500 people are all applying for a handful of jobs is wild 110
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 15/05/2025Major budget envy watching Eurovision...how do I get a choreographer gig next time?! 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 26/04/2025Youth dance company today came in chatting and fizzing with ideas, thoughts, queries, and suggestions... Feels like we've made it 🙌 after 2 terms of gentle encouragement to disrupt that all too familiar disciplined dancer silence! 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 31/03/2025Achievement of the day: successfully adding the hour to my car clock on the first attempt 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 17/03/2025Kitted out with eye patches and 'swords' for Eek & Wild's new pirate dance - part of our menu of dance choices for children at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital today! 010
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 11/03/2025Story of my life! Big Freelancer Survey is on my to do list when I come up for air... 010
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 09/03/2025The best part of going through my inbox and clearing through 600+ emails is discovering an unread newsletter from Priya Parker on the Art of Gathering Always worth pausing to read... newsletter.priyaparker.com/sign-upnewsletter.priyaparker.comSign Up for the Art of Gathering NewsletterYou can transform the way you gather with your people, your communities, and your coworkers. 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 08/03/2025Dance companies who choreograph their bows to undeservedly drag out the applause would be my nomination for Room 101 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 03/03/2025Like this idea of Unscary Saturdays from Siobhan Davies - arguably more dance classes should be unscary! www.siobhandavies.com/unscary-satu...siobhandavies.comUnscary Saturdays - Siobhan Davies StudiosWith a different teacher each month. Programmed by Siobhan Davies Studios. A challenging and generous space to dance. Going to a dance class can be scary! Unscary Saturdays are inclusive classes open... 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 25/02/2025Lots of last minute "Let's Dance" day requests coming in for Sunday 2nd March... As much as I'd love to support, I have 6 consecutive working (dancing) days either side...so that Sunday is very much a sacred "Let's Rest" day! 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 22/02/2025Saturdays are normally my regular teaching day...but instead for half term: Performed in Hull ✅️ Drove to Manchester ✅️ All set and looking forward to Figures in Extinction 020
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 16/02/2025The thought of packing a suitcase to work away for the week and then driving for 3 hours is filling me with exhaustion How did I do this so regularly in previous years?!! 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 06/02/2025There's no good option when you wake up with a sore throat and the rumblings of a cold as a freelancer... a) push through, get paid, get progressively more ill b) take the day off, rest, avoid others getting infected, lose earnings, hope that you're miraculously better before the next gig 010
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 05/02/2025+1 work ID swipe card current total: 5 Big news: it's a clip on, not a lanyard And there's a bonus magnetic badge! All the excitement for February ✨️ 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 26/01/2025Also, I'm stepping in (as mat cover) to lead some contact improv for actors on their uni course... can bring lots of knowledge from a dance perspective, but would love to hear from actors if there is anything in particular from contact improv which is most relevant/key to your toolkit or practice? 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 26/01/2025Lovely refresh and reassurance in contact improv skills guided by Sophie Thorpe in Nottingham today - there's more coming up, and I'd recommend! fabric.dance/events/tom-d...fabric.danceContact Improvisation Class into Jam with Tom Dale Company - FABRICJoin Sophie Thorpe from Tom Dale Company to explore some of the techniques that underpin contact improvisation in a relaxed, fun environment. 130
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 16/01/2025Not sure if they'd be reachable...but if you're looking for dance classes check out Drift: www.tickettailor.com/events/drift... Because there haven't been many pro classes in the region there's a shared sense of vulnerability & needing a support system amongst the movers who've been attendingtickettailor.comBuy tickets – Drift Pro Dance 040
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 15/01/2025I look forward to reading them and hearing some different experiences and thoughts 020
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 15/01/2025This is a really interesting consideration of endings in dance - have had numerous professional endings which felt hurtful on a personal level Have found there tends to be a push to move forward as opposed to reflecting and sitting with the endings 110
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 15/01/2025Reminder - there's a rail sale on until 20th January Picked myself up a couple of advance singles to Birmingham for £3.40 - if you know where and when you need to travel between now and end of March, it might be worth taking a look 010
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 11/01/2025A small glimmer seeing a new Dance and Movement for Wellbeing course being launched by Derby University amidst so many dance course closures of latederby.ac.ukDance and Movement for Wellbeing BA (Hons) - Dance - University of DerbyUniversity of Derby logoUniversity of Derby logoStudy BA (Hons) Dance and Movement for Wellbeing BA (Hons) and become one of the 'most employable' graduates in the UK. Enquire about this course or visit us at an Open Day. 053
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 08/01/20252025 in numbers so far... +1 lanyard/ work ID current total: 4 +1 email account current total: 6 -1 wisdom tooth current total: 1 100
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 05/01/2025Happy first got you day - we kicked celebrations off early by watching foxes in the snow from my bedroom window overnight! 020
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 02/01/2025Looking for Pro Dance Classes in Bedford, Milton Keynes, and Northampton? Drift Pro Dance is the answer - help us build the community of dancers and movers locally - over 20 different people came to our Autumn trial in 2024, and we know there are more out there! www.tickettailor.com/events/drift... 001
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 21/12/2024Also, love the number of people clearing up their inboxes and to do lists yesterday before going on leave.... Had an email response 15 days after I'd sent my latest message (which was in fact the third time of trying to get a response from said organisation - initial enquiry sent in June 🤦♀️) 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 21/12/2024Next studio day not booked in until 8th Jan... ⬇️ 100
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 21/12/2024My lower back aches more from sitting and doing accounts all day than it ever does from dancing... Determined to get tax return submitted this side of Christmas! 110
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 18/12/2024Birthday theatre trip to see Lost Dog's Ruination this evening #DanceSky 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 14/12/2024I spread them out over a generous 2 weeks, but same... 110
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 13/12/2024Best seat in the house for watching the fish fingers under the grill! 000
Reposted by Effie McGuire WardMr Abbott @thegeometrician.bsky.social · 10/12/2024Earlier in the year 10 companies (part of the artist led touring companies network) put together case studies on how we currently tour & the associated joys/challenges. It's a rich resource, it reveals costs & it's a chance to learn about our different models & realities. tangledfeet.com/news/100tangledfeet.comTouring is broken? Or is it just changing? (10 Case Studies from Touring Companies) - Tangled Feet 163
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 10/12/2024"Is dance producing hanging on, building back or reimagining itself?" Survey alert ⚠️ 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 09/12/2024Just had a dance studio quote me a minimum hire fee of 4 hours at £300+VAT - coming to £360, when I wanted to organise a 90 min class... ...so the space sits empty while independent dancers have nowhere affordable to dance/ rehearse. Make it make sense. 010
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 08/12/2024anticipate he'll be causing chaos soon, after this initial bewilderment! 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 04/12/2024Picked this to make a piece with some of my junior students for April next year - nothing quite like planning ahead! 000
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 04/12/2024When Spotify Wrapped outs you as a dance teacher... 100
Effie McGuire Ward @effiemward.bsky.social · 03/12/2024On a similar topic...Danielle Jones has been exploring in her work Kindred - can we create space for "parents to connect with their children and each other"? www.luminelle.co.uk/kindred/luminelle.co.ukKindred - LuminelleKindred brings families together in a moving, playful, and interactive installation, where space is given for parents to connect with their children and each other. Acknowledging the isolation faced b... 010