
Society of Strays

Society of Strays
Dance Theatre Company

about us
PUNCHY, POLARISED PERFORMANCE ABOUT PEOPLE AND PLACES.
Society of Strays CIC is a dance theatre company based in Newcastle, established in 2019. We explore our ideas for new work through the lens of dark comedy, dynamic physicality, absurdism, and character-driven narrative. We like our work to expose the complexity of humankind. We are passionate about safe practice, mental health and wellbeing and creating a container where any ages, genders, ethnicities, sexual orientations, abilities can come together and grow great art from. Society of Strays has a diverse range of expertise that explores cross-arts collaborations. Our work is driven by the relationship of dance and the voice, and within this we break our own boundaries.

meet the team

Artistic Director
Andrew Gardiner (he/they)
Andy trained in Theatre and Dance, earning a BA (Hons) in both and a PGDip with distinction from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. A dance artist and actor, Andy also works as a freelance dramaturg and associate director (Rendezvous dance: The Monocle, What Songs May Do, and Act; Zoielogic Dance Theatre: Ride, Heist, and Sleuth). His experience includes rehearsal direction, engagement artistry, artistic consulting, and teaching. Andy has a keen focus on the impact of creativity on  mental health and wellbeing. He has collaborated with numerous UK and international dance and theatre companies, including New Art Club, Anatomical, bgroup, Protein Dance, Curious Seed, Riccardo Buscarini, Jamie Fletcher Company, James Wilton, and Simon McBurney's The Rake's Progress (Igor Stravinsky) in collaboration with Festival Aix and The DNO.

Co-Director
Donna Lennard (she/her)
Donna trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and is a keen advocate for contemporary music. Her operatic roles include Frog in 'How the Whale Became' (Philips, ROH), Selene in 'Tycho's Dream' (Styles, Glyndebourne), Alice in 'Airborne' (McDowall, Nova Music Opera), and Voice 1 in 'Voices of the Sands' (Betteridge, Tete a Tete). In concert, Donna has performed with the Kensington Symphony Orchestra, Bushey Symphony Orchestra, and the Warwickshire Symphony Orchestra. Other stage work includes 'Mr Burns' (Washburn, The Almeida), 'May Contain Food' and 'The Little Prince' (Protein Dance).

Mentor
Zoie Golding MBE (she/her)
Zoie Golding MBE is a celebrated dance pioneer and social innovator, who has made her mark on the UK and international dance world over the past two decades. As an accomplished Artistic Director, Movement Director, Executive Producer and CEO, challenging perceptions of dance, its audience, and its place in society. In 2000, Zoie founded the nationally acclaimed FuzzyLogic Youth Dance Company, leading the way in male dance engagement. In 2013, she established ZoieLogic Dance Theatre, recognised for its exceptional and innovative dance experiences that bring people together and create positive social impact. Zoie has a passion for breaking down barriers, taking risks, and communicating ideas with clarity and boldness. Her ambitious entrepreneurial flair is driven by a deep commitment to raising people’s aspirations and increasing access to dance and culture, specialising in engaging those who might not otherwise have access to dance and the arts. Through her work, Zoie has demonstrated the power of the arts to inspire and transform lives. Throughout her career, she has been a tireless advocate for dance and the arts and is a source of inspiration for those who seek to make a difference in the world of dance and beyond. Leading to her recent honour of being awarded an MBE for her services to dance.

Board of Directors
Tom Roden (he/him)
Tom Roden is an award winning comedian, dancer and choreographer. As part of The New Art Club, Tom has been creating funny, art-fuelled shows since 1998. New Art Club were finalists in The Place Prize (2004) and won The Edinburgh Spotlight Best Comedy Award in 2010. They are Associate Artists at Cambridge Junction. As a solo artist Tom has worked as a movement director at the worlds leading Opera Houses and has choreographed dance and theatre shows with companies such as Scottish Dance Theatre, The Royal Exchange, Bolton Octagon, Reckless Sleepers and Probe. He continues to mentor artists and regularly guest lectures at the UK’s leading dance training establishments.

Board of Directors
Temitope Ajose (she/her)
Temitope is a London-based Dance Artist with an interest in myth, psychology and magic. Often playing between the sacred and absurd, Temitope’s creative process is intuitive, idiosyncratic and very human. Temitope has staged works at venues such as The Royal Opera House, The Place, DanceXchange, RichMix, Dancebase and the Soho Joyce (New York). As a dancer, Temitope has worked with numerous artists and companies including Punchdrunk, Director Carrie Cracknell at The Gate Theatre and The National, Theo Clinkard, Protein Dance Company, Lea Anderson, Frauke Requardt and David Rosenberg, Joe Moran, Seke Chimutengwende, and Lost Dog. She performs for visual artists and makers, Florence Peake, Adelaide Cioni, Sam Williams and Megan Rooney. Temitope also engages in movement direction (Old Vic and National Theatre) and for Artist Megan Rooney on her solo shows, at Kunsthalle Germany, Salzburg Kunstverein, and The Lyon Biennale. Temitope continues to make her own work ‘My Name is my Own’ at The Southbank with director Jo Tyabji in collaboration with critically acclaimed writer Jay Bernard.

Board of Directors
Rachael Lund (she/her)
Rachael is currently the Interim venue Director of the Roundhouse Trust. She has over 15 years of experience working in the creative industries across Theatre, Galleries, Museums and Music Venues. Having originally trained as a Contemporary Dancer she a creative approach to operational management across venues particularly in ensuring processes are implemented successfully through a people centred approach.