Ethos of Perpetual Folly Collective

 Perpetual Folly Collective is dedicated to creating contemporary dance that is both joyful and thought-provoking. We aim to blend the playful with the profound, using dance as a tool to explore human interaction, social dynamics, and the nuances of everyday life. Our work is rooted in collaboration—both within the collective and with external artists—and we are committed to creating inclusive, community-driven projects. While we are aware of social issues, our work is not solely focused on these themes. Instead, we aim to weave them into the fabric of our performances, creating space for dialogue without overshadowing the playful and creative elements that define us. We are committed to building a sustainable collective that evolves over time, offering meaningful opportunities for emerging artists of various disciplines, and local people from different communities while ensuring our creative processes remain viable in the long term. By reinvesting our income into future projects, we aim to secure the collective's future and cultivate a thriving, dynamic artistic community. Perpetual Folly Collective is a space where art and joy intersect, where experimentation and play meet with social awareness and creative rigor.

 Collaborators

Mary Sweetnam (she/her) is a dance and teaching artist who is interested in play and lightheartedness. She recently completed her Master’s in Dance Performance with distinction from Trinity Laban. Previously, she earned her BAs in Dance and Education & Social Transformation from the University of California, Los Angeles as a Regents Scholar. In London, she has performed with Clod Ensemble, London Sinfonietta, and Luminosa Music. Her dance teaching practice is informed by her passion for child development and inclusive education.

 Kaya Blumenthal-Rothchild is originally from New York. She received her BA at Connecticut College in 2020, majoring in Dance and minoring in Gender, Sexuality, and Intersectionality Studies. Her stage credits include dancing at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington D.C, and at the Royal Festival Hall, London. Kaya has supported the collectives first production primarily as a rehearsal director, but has also jumped in for a few performances.

Perpetual Folly was founded in January 2024 by three friends and freelance performers—Katie Kelly, Mary Sweetnam, and Kaya Blumenthal-Rothchild. With a shared passion for creating work that blends joy, play, and social dynamics, our collective is committed to building a sustainable future for our art.

Our first work, Terpsichore in Jest, is a contemporary duet that explores awkwardness, humour, and negotiation between two performers. Set to lively baroque music, the piece offers an accessible yet substantive experience for audiences, sharing contemporary dance in a light-hearted, playful way. Terpsichore in Jest has been performed at Chisenhale, The Place and the Cockpit theatre Mayfair. Generously supported by the Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable settlement we are currently developing our strategy and artistry, with the goal to book more performances and outreach workshops throughout the year. Our tour pack is available on request, and we have both 10 and 20 minute versions of the work.

 Terpsichore in Jest trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWEzHpVHMEE