Theo Clinkard

Theo Clinkard was born in Cornwall and is currently based in Ashburton, Devon. He works internationally as a choreographer, theatre designer, performer, mentor and teacher.

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Following 20 years dancing for some of the UK’s most celebrated choreographers, Matthew Bourne, Wayne McGregor, Siobhan Davies and Lea Anderson among others, Theo launched his own dance company in 2012 and has steadily built an international reputation for creating affecting and visually arresting contemporary work for small, middle and large-scale theatres as well as non-theatre settings.

 

Past company productions include ‘Ordinary Courage’ (2012), ‘Chalk’ (2014), ‘Of Land & Tongue’ (2014), ‘This Bright Field’ (2017) and 'The Elsewhen Series’ (2019) a co-creation with Leah Marojević. Theo is currently planning 'Village', a new large-scale company work with The London Bulgarian choir performing live, that draws upon the beloved works of Flemish painter Bruegel the Elder. International choreographic commissions include creations for Tanztheatre Wuppertal Pina Bausch (2015), Danza Contemporanea de Cuba (2016) & Candoco Dance Company (2019).

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Beyond his company work, Theo collaborates in a variety of roles with artists across many forms including work in film, opera, theatre, performance and television. Recent work includes choreographing ‘AIDA' at København Opera House directed by Annabel Arden, movement directing the film 'Good Luck to you Leo Grande' starring Emma Thompson, movement directing the film 'Jimpa' starring Olivia Colman, acting as a mentor, dramaturg and workshop leader for BBC Young Dancer and both choreographing and costuming 'The Faggots and Their Friends' for Manchester International Festival 2023 which is touring internationally.

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In response to the effect of lockdown on graduating dance students, Theo co-conceived the website www.understory.com together with Grace Nicol. They invited 120 people working in dance to share their unique career pathways as a show of support and a resource for graduating dance artists.

 

Theo is an Associate Artist at Brighton Dome and an Honorary Fellow at Plymouth University.