When I entered White Noise into the Hull Dance Choreographic Prize, I only expected to be walking away with some useful feedback from the judges for me to draw upon when continuing to develop the work. I had no idea that it would be received so well, and the moment it was announced that my work had won was both special and incredibly humbling.

Since the competition, it has been a complete whirlwind. The prize money and support offered by Hull Dance has invigorated the White Noise project, inspiring me to submit a bid to Arts Council England to apply for further research and development funding. Should it be successful (fingers crossed!), I’ll be exploring how White Noise can better portray how people who are Hearing and D/deaf or hard of hearing experience and communicate with each other as equals and the world around them. ​​I have also been looking into my own organisational development, and how I can use this opportunity to grow Rachel Clarke Dance Company in both Yorkshire (especially Hull) and in the North more generally.

I am completely overwhelmed with all of the wonderful feedback and support that I have received since the Choreographic Prize, and am looking forward to bringing Rachel Clarke Dance Company and White Noise back to Hull in 2019!

Rachel Clarke, December 2018