CONTEMPORARY TECHNIQUE

Born in Canada, Laïla currently lives in Bristol. She first came to prominence as a performer with Wayne McGregor’s Random Dance where she danced from 1998 to 2005. Since then she has been focusing on developing and presenting her own choreographic work, also frequently being called to work as movement director for theatre and opera productions. She was awarded a Rayne Fellowship for Choreographers in 2006 and was an Associate Artist at ROH2 at the Royal Opera House between 2009 and 2012.

Laïla’s latest work, Hold Everything Dear, draws inspiration from themes of migration and displacement. For this creation she is joined by composer Jules Maxwell - with a specially commissioned live score - and another seven performers complete the cast. Other creations include the solos Imprint; The Wayside; At-any-moment-something-else for Theo Clinkard; Between the Shingle the Dune; Sense of Self - a piece co-authored with Montreal-based choreographer and performer Mélanie Demers; on the feeling of being together for map dance; Come rain or come shine for Verve, postgraduate company at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

Movement direction and choreography credits for opera, theatre, and television include The Dance of Death (Donmar), Otello (Opera North), The Story of Music (BBC2), ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Aïda (Canadian Opera Company), The Prince of Homburg (Donmar), The Road to Mecca (Arcola), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Rose Theatre), All’s Well That Ends Well (National Theatre), War and Peace (Canadian Opera Company), Thérese Raquin (National Theatre), Days of Significance (Royal Shakespeare Company), The Vortex (Theatre Royal Windsor), A Doll’s House (Theatre Royal Bath), Macbeth and Hansel and Gretel (Scottish Opera on Tour).  

Laïla frequently leads dance classes and choreographic workshops for dance professionals, amateurs and students.