10 Questions - Robert Hylton
Published 15 June 2009
Robert Hylton gets the 10 questions treatment as we ask him about his influences, creativity and the best job he's ever had...
'''Name''': Robert Hylton
'''Role''': Artistic Director/ Choreographer
'''Showcase Performance''': Catching Beats
'''1. Where do you find inspiration for your work?'''
Everywhere. Watching people in the street and dance in general, it's always inspirational to see great dancers and choreography whatever the form and music is always the key
'''2. What has been your most memorable performance?'''
There have been so many over the years. Catching Beats has only just started its life on stage, we recently performed in Algiers on a British Council tour, then Greenwich gDA Cabaret, the guys are on top form.
Other memories; the loudest audience was in Maputo, Mozambique in 2004. They were electrifying and the most emotional was in Libya 2007, as there had been very few western companies there, you could tell it just meant so much to people especially those who took part in the workshops and the curtain raiser. But I could go on and on - from many international and UK performances to watching workshop performances by young people.
'''3. Where in the world would you most like to perform... and why?'''
I have yet to perform in America and would like to see the work performed in hip-hops' birthplace. Also France where I have not performed. More than anything revisiting the places I have already been to would be fantastic and to be invited anywhere new to perform is always a privilege. A mix of big cities and rural towns is always interesting as you get to see different sides of a country and how people live.
'''4. Who/what has been the greatest influence on your creative output?'''
I am naturally curious about movement; its in my DNA and am always inspired by dancing. Watching breaking for the first time in the eighties flipped me out and still does. Then watching superb contemporary or classical dancers turn and leap, it’s the illusion of effortlessness that intrigues me and enhances my obsession and inspires me to make dance. As I get older, my social conscious is changing and I am looking forward to the challenge of dance, social content and story telling as a successful narrative for stage.
'''5. What has been the highlight of your career so far?'''
To be honest there are so many highlights; in the films I make as much as dance.I have been lucky enough to travel and perform in many places in the UK and internationally and I hope to go forward and create more highlights and many more memories.
'''6. Who would you most like to work with...and why?'''
Spike Lee, as I like his use of camera movement and direction and I would like to make a shift from stage to movement direction in film. As for musicians, there are just way to many, from Sade to Arvo Part and everything in between. I would also be more interested in who would want to work with me as a dancer or choreographer! I haven’t danced for anyone else for so long – the challenge would be interesting and as well as the challenge of choreographing other companies…
'''7. What is the best job you have ever had?'''
The job I have now! Choreographing, dancing, making films, travelling and teaching.
But I always need to get another job... just like the job I have now!
'''8. Where do you see yourself/your company in 5 years?'''
Sitting in a theatre watching a new generation of dancers perform my work and sharing that same experience with audiences both here in the UK and abroad. I would also like to be involved in the further development of hip-hop education – hip- hop dance needs a school – a proper school! A place to nurture and nourish the next generation to extend and continue the work that many of us have laid down to ensure quality, excellence and a bright future for the genre
Away from dance; I am on the second draft of my book Elements of War a hip-hop fantasy. I would like it to be finished and published or even just finished.
'''9. What makes you happiest about performing?'''
For me personally it's about taking the risk and being successful in the presentation and achieving my goals on stage. Being able to connect to the audience is vital, as performing should not be a solitary experience.
'''10. What concerns you most about the state of the Performing Arts Sector in the UK?'''
At the moment dance is becoming more accessible and seems to have more mainstream attention than ever which is great for everyone. On the flip side, artists are still burdened, more so in the public sector with ever increasing policy changes, increasing amounts of paper work! and the instability of finances. A familiar story yes, but when will the art form see long term investment both from the funding bodies, theatres and the media? I feel that sometimes all the mediums are not synchronised as they are all preoccupied with jumping through different hoops and the work becomes more separate missions of agenda than combined art/ business. When they are fully in sync it is wonderful, when its not…
