Third Row Dance Company is a student-led company of dance students based at the University of Roehampton. The Company has been running since 2008, and has evolved each year as it is passed on and led by a new group of undergrad dancers and company directors. The company is selected through a yearly audition process to ensure the company continues as a small-numbered group of strong and committed artists.
Third Row Dance Company aims to provide its dancers with the opportunity to experience involvement in the professional dance world, by commissioning professional choreographers to create works for the company. These works are then performed and also taught by the company to other students within Roehampton and to communities further afield. Company members and outside guests hold regular contemporary classes teaching current repertoire, technique, and creative workshops with many opportunities throughout the year to perform.
Previous choreographers for Third Row Dance Company have included James Finnemore (Hofesh Shechter Company), Mari Frogner (Nutshell Dance), Kennedy Muntanga (Kennedy Muntanga Dance Theatre), Shaun Dillon (Dillon Dance), Jack Webb, Renaud Wiser, Josh Ben Tovim, Richard Causer, and Rachel Birch-Lawson.
Past members of Third Row Dance Company have continued in founding their own dance companies (Ceyda Tanc Dance, Sketch Dance Company), while others have been successful in continuing on to post-graduate companies such as Transitions and Map Dance.
Committee 2023/24
Artistic Directors: Tessa Wangdak
Rehearsal Director: Emma Magliaro and Emily Solstad
Managing Director: Karolina Dugatova