About
Formed in 2018 by George Fellows and Nick Lawson, Four Hands is a dance company that primarily works with families with young children. The company aims to provide performances and participatory opportunities that challenge the boundaries between performer/audience and pushes the idea that dance is truly for everyone.
In early 2018, Four Hands were awarded funding by Arts Council England to develop a new dance methodology for and movement practice for young children and their parents/carers. In 2019, the company was supported by South East Dance, Jerwood Charitable Foundation and Arts Council England to create a new performance work called Touch, which premiered at Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham-by-Sea in March 2019. In 2020 with funding from Leeds Dance Partnership, Touch was restaged with a new cast for two performances in Leeds. AT the end of 2020 the company received an Arts Council England Project Grant to conduct research into adapting the project for a variety of different COVID-based scenarios.
In November 2019, George began to develop a new performance work, called it's ok as part of Little Big Dance, a new, national early years dance initiative, which tours in 2021/22. George is also in the early phases of developing a new project, called WILD, as part of Choreodrome, The Place's Artist Research Residency programme.
In Autumn 2022, Nick left his role as Co-AD of the company to develop his career in body work.
Who are we?
Louise Hodgson
Creative Producer
Louise has a BA (Hons) in English and Drama, and has 6 years experience teaching music, theatre and dance for children from birth to 7 years, along with over 30 years of dance and theatre training and experience. After 15 years in the retail management sector, and experience running a tots ballet franchise, Louise decided to launch Liberty Arts Yorkshire in September 2019. With the mission to provide opportunities to experience the performing arts to those who would not normally engage in them.
After the success of the STEM Theatre in a Box project, Liberty Arts Yorkshire became Liberty Arts Productions CIC ( Community Interest Company) in 2022, allowing Louise and the team to further reach into the community arts sector.
Louise is also a freelance creative producer and dance tutor. Latest roles include project manager for the Cecil Green Arts Lantern Parade, and dance artist for Yorkshire dance's 'Dance On' programme for the over 55's.
George Fellows
Artistic Director
In 2013, with no formal experience, George began training in contemporary dance. After performing as a community participant in Tilted Production's BELONGING(s) in the Brighton Festival 2016, George was invited to join Maresa von Stockert’s company as a performer & danced for the company in their 2017/18 touring seasons. He then went on to play Tony/Ronnie in a dance theatre production of the play ‘Beautiful Thing’ by Jonathan Harvey, co-directed by Bradley Hemmings & Robby Graham, which was the finale show of GDIF 2018. George has 15 years experience working with young children and their families and uses this experience to inform his practice working with families and creating work with Four Hands. He lives in West Yorkshire.
Titilola Dawudu
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Mentor
Titilola is a storyteller and theatre and arts producer. She consults for organisations in the arts and cultural sector and education sector working with Race Equality Networks and provides workshops and courses in leadership.
She is on the board of trustees for Theatre Centre and on the advisory boards for Beyond Face Theatre and Creative Leamington.
Titilola is part of the Black Womxn in Theatre team behind the iconic #WeAreVisible photoshoot of over 250 Black womxn at the Globe Theatre in July 2019. During the pandemic, Black Womxn in Theatre partnered with Eclipse Theatre and Bush Theatre in creating #AllOfUs campaign and #HearToStay a 4-week redundancy recovery care programme. This saw 50 Black, Asian and ethnically diverse people who were made redundant or were at risk of, come together and receive financial, mentoring and job support.