Matthew Gough

Trained at Bird College (BA Hons) and the University of Limerick (MA), Matthew over 16 years experience performing, and choreographing dance. Over the last 8 years he has developed an innovative pedagogic approach to dance performance that has received international recognition.

Matthew’s expertise reflects the range of international artists he has worked with, such as Rosie Kay, Charles Linehan, Vida Midgelow, Lisa Nelson, Steve Paxton, and Stephanie Schober.

As Artistic Director of Playgrounds Dance Company (2010 – 2015) he created over 30 dance works, including 6 full-length choreographies. During this time he developed an applied philosophy to teaching Dance Technique, Improvisation, and Performance Practice.

With a research profile covering Screendance, Contact Improvisation, Performance Technologies, and Dance Dramaturgy, Matthew has published, presented and taught internationally. He continues to make work for stage and screen, maintaining a long term artistic collaboration with Tim Halliday.

Academic Employment:
University of Northampton (2009 – 2015): Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer
University of Central Lancashire (2007 – 2009): Researcher in Dance
University of Chester (2005 -2007): Associate Lecturer in Dance

Performances with/for:
Mark Baldwin, Yoshiko Chuma, Tim Halliday, Lucy Harrison, Wendy Houstoun, Charles Linehan, David McCormick, Katie Morea, Jodie Melnick, Vida Midgelow, Lisa Nelson, Mary Nunan, Steve Paxton, Anthony Phillips, Keith-Derrick Randolph, Liz Roche, Susan Town, Athina Vahla, Pablo Vela.

Process Dramaturg for:
Rosie Kay (2010), Stephanie Schober (2011), Frauke Requardt (2009), Lorraine Smith (2012)

Recent Performance Works:
2017
Statig [60 mins] Rhisom
Confluence [18 mins] Rhisom, Open Studio e17
Tonnau Llanw [60 mins] (with Gemma Prangle)
Unfold me [4 mins] Power of Dance (Film)

2016
I am Content [20 mins] Open Studio w16
Equidos [21 mins] Weston studio, Open Studio w16
Etudes [23 mins] Weston studio, Open Studio w16
Breathe, keep breathing [5 mins] Open Studio w16
Forget to forget [4 mins] Weston studio, Open Studio w16
schottky [12 mins] Stage one
Hettie [15 mins] Arrive 2016
Anadlais i’n ddwfn [60 mins]

2015
Rite of Spring [35 mins] Newgrounds 2015
Still Tomorrow [70 mins] Newgrounds 2015
Cosmia [20 mins] Playgrounds Performance Festival, Performance Exchange UOB
Mild und Leise [20 mins] Playgrounds Performance Festival, Performance Exchange
Ursa [22 mins] Playgrounds Performance Festival
AC [15 mins] Playgrounds Performance Festival, Junction 2015

2014
2+2=5 [65 mins] Encounters, Aklat, Playgrounds Performance Festival
Mishima [23 mins] Aklat, Winter Open Studio
Inuksuk [22 mins] Winter Open Studio
Hettie [15 mins] (2014) Aklat, Winter Open Studio, Dance Lab
Fragments [50 mins] Newgrounds 2014, Performance Exchange UOB, U-Plat,
Dispelling The Fears [75 mins] Newgrounds 2014
Samsa [15 mins] Playgrounds Performance Festival, Performance Exchange UOB
Silfra [60 mins] Dance House Dublin, Jerwood Dance House, IOW, Isham Studios

Selected Presentations / Publications:

Gough, M. & O’Brien M (2014) Screendance documentary making as a mode of practice based research: Lightwaves Screendance Festival Limerick.

Gough, M. (2013) Speed Metal Turned Liquid: Improvisational Practices Symposia Northampton.

Gough, M. (2011) Dramaturgy of Minimalist Dance Works. Dance Dramaturgy: Catalyst, Perspectives and Memory. 34th annual SDHS conference. Toronto; Canada

Gough, M. (2010) Contact Improvisation; From Practice to Pedagogy. Dance Research Forum Ireland’s 3rd International Conference. Cork; Ireland .

Gough, M. (2009) A Neo-Structuralist Pedagogy for Contact Improvisation. Global Perspectives On Dance Pedagogy: Research And Practice. CORD Special Conference. Leicester; UK.

Gough, M. (2007) ditdahbit. Real-time Collaborative Art Making Workshop. Visualisation Research Unit, University of Central England Birmingham; Birmingham

My research deals with Contemporary Dance Performance Practice encompassing Improvisation, C-Technique, Performativity (screendance and stage), and Process Dramaturgy. Firmly grounded in practice based modes, my research directly informs and articulates my pedagogic practice.