Company Chameleon produces inspiring and original dance theatre productions in Manchester, which tour across the UK and the world.
Company Chameleon started when Anthony Missen and Kevin Edward Turner met at Trafford Youth Dance Theatre in the mid-1990s. Two ordinary lads from Manchester, they shared an ambition to dance professionally for a living. After developing their talent at Trafford, they trained at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, and after graduating travelled extensively to work with some of the most innovative dance companies and choreographers in the world.
They returned home to Manchester in 2007, to achieve their goal of setting up their own dance company, and Company Chameleon was born. Today, Company Chameleon tour internationally to wide acclaim and perform over fifty indoor and outdoor performances a year. Everywhere they perform, they lead a dance class or workshop. As a result, they’ve introduced thousands of young people, from countries all over the world, to a different side of dance and movement.
Anthony received formal training at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and went onto dance with companies including Scottish Dance Theatre, Mad Dogs Dance Theatre, Cie. Willi Dorner (Vienna), and choreographers including Rui Horta, Didi Veldman and Liv Lorent. As an actor, Missen played the lead role in the 2006 production of Monkey, a collaboration between Dundee Rep Theatre Ensemble and SDT, and played several roles in the 2007 National Theatre of Scotland production of Peer Gynt. He was Movement Director for Dundee Reps 2007 production of Playhouse Creatures, their 2008 production of Romeo and Juliet, and the 2015 Production of Oresteia at HOME Manchester.
He has taught in most major British contemporary dance institutions, to several professional dance companies and in many countries including South Africa, Trinidad, Morocco, Sweden, Spain, France, Italy, Germany and Austria. He has led many Choreographic and skills-based Residencies. Anthony is a founding member of New Movement Collective. He co-founded Company Chameleon in 2007, producing and choreographing critically acclaimed performance works both for the stage and outdoor contexts. He has developed many successful educational programmes in different countries, with a particular focus on young men, disadvantaged children, and children at risk.
Kevin studied formally at The Northern School of Contemporary Dance where he gained his first class degree. His professional engagements include working with Rambert Dance Company, Scottish Dance Theatre, Phoenix Dance Theatre, CassaniDance, Rubberbandancegroup (Canada), Henri Oguike Dance Company, Company Decalage, Mad dogs Dance Theatre and Roda. In the summer of 2007 Kevin was awarded the prestigious Danceweb Scholarship under the framework of ImPulsTanz, Vienna. Turner has worked in collaboration with Gansango in Seattle U.S.A., Crossfade in Budapest Hungary and Navala Chaudhari in London. He has taught in most major British contemporary dance institutions, as well as in Canada, the USA, Spain, Hungary and the Caribbean.
Theo received a first class degree at Edge Hill University, before joining the Post-Graduate Apprenticeship Scheme through the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Theo worked with James Wilton Dance and performed at the Rugby League World Cup opening ceremony in 2013. He’s performed with Hinged Dance Company and Artistic Director, Taira Foo, and the all-male dance company EdgeFwd, performing works in venues across the UK choreographed by Debbie Milner, Anthony Missen, Gary Clarke, Josh Arnott, Stuart Walters and Helen Parlor. He has also performed as a physical actor for Spalding Suite, directed by Benji Reid.
Leanne worked in arts and cultural management in local government for over 15 years including at Tameside, Salford and Stockport Councils. With a background in Contemporary Dance and founder member of Third Estate Music & Dance, she previously lectured in dance and worked with Dance Manchester (formerly DiGM). Leanne is on the Board of Directors at Brighter Sound in Manchester.
Sam graduated from York St John University with a 1st Class BA Honours degree in Performance: Dance and then went onto to train professionally at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, graduating in 2010. Sam has performed for 12 Degrees North, working with Alesandra Seutin (Vocab Dance) and Gary Clarke and in several productions by Balbir Singh Dance Company. As a Freelance Dance Artist Sam has worked for a number of organisations including The Lowry (Centre for Advanced Training, The Lowry Youth Dance Company), Rosie Kay Dance Company, Dance Manchester, Edge Hill University and Salford University. In 2014 Sam gained a contract with New Adventures and Re:Bourne, working as Dance Ambassador on their production of Lord of the Flies at both The Lowry and Bradford Alhambra. In 2015 Sam became Access & Education Officer at Phoenix Dance Theatre where she delivered a wide range of community and education programmes. In September 2017, Sam joined Company Chameleon in the role of Learning & Participation Officer.
Nicola’s approach combines strategic and creative thinking with 15 years’ marketing and communications experience in arts and culture. Since setting up her own consultancy in 2008, she’s worked with a range of clients. Most recent appointments include working with Community Arts North West on recruitment and audience development; brand and strategy development for Brighter Sound and Head of Marketing & Events at Arts Council England. Here, she managed and developed a range of projects, including advocating for the value of arts and culture and making the case for investment. She leads brand development workshops across sectors, helping organisations to define their proposition and strengthen overall strategy. Nicola is also a primary school Governor and within this role leads on governing body development.
Born in Huddersfield, Becky graduated from the University of Leeds in 2011 with a degree in English Language and Literature. Whilst living in Leeds Becky was heavily involved in journalism and musical happenings in the area. A passion for writing, touring and live events led her to complete a first class MA in Arts Management from the University of Manchester in 2015. She has previously completed work experience and internships with Roadrunner Records, Atlantic Records and Brighter Sound focusing particularly on press, marketing and communications.
Becky began working with Company Chameleon in 2016 as Administration and Marketing Assistant before progressing into the role of Company Co-ordinator.
Gemma began her career with Scottish Dance Theatre in 2002 under the direction of Janet Smith, working with choreographers including Rui Horta and Didi Veldman. She then joined Rambert in 2006, where she danced and created several main roles such as the Mother in Christopher Bruce's “Hush” and Blanch De Bois in Javier De Frutos's “Elysian Fields”. In October 2012 Gemma toured the USA with the Russell Maliphant Company. She joined Company Chameleon in November 2012, where she has worked as performer, choreographer and rehearsal director. She was a guest artist with Mad Dogs Dance Theatre in 2013, and in April 2014 performed with HeadSpaceDance, working with Johan Inger and acclaimed Theatre Director Matthew Dunster.
Gemma is a founding member of Goddard Nixon (a choreographic collaboration with Jonathan Goddard) and of New Movement Collective (nominated as Best Independent Company at the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards 2013).
She has taught extensively in the UK, in Sweden and the USA.
