Effie McGuire Ward
@effiemward.bsky.social
Freelance contemporary dance artist performer | teacher | choreographer
www.effiemward.com
📍Milton Keynes
www.effiemward.com
📍Milton Keynes
Very familiar with this feeling at the moment - freelancing out there is a ride, starting to wonder if it's time to get off!
I tell you, I'm apparently only good for things that require all my time and work for no money. 🫠
October 1, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Very familiar with this feeling at the moment - freelancing out there is a ride, starting to wonder if it's time to get off!
Happy International Cat Day 🐈
to everyone, but especially these two!
to everyone, but especially these two!
August 8, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Happy International Cat Day 🐈
to everyone, but especially these two!
to everyone, but especially these two!
Was reminded last night, even when things feel tough, sometimes just getting in a studio and dancing helps...
I love to be guided by brilliant humans...and we have some brilliant humans coming to lead workshops in Milton Keynes this August: www.eventbrite.com/e/adult-cont...
I love to be guided by brilliant humans...and we have some brilliant humans coming to lead workshops in Milton Keynes this August: www.eventbrite.com/e/adult-cont...
Adult Contemporary Dance Workshops
Four contemporary dance workshops for adults (16+) in Milton Keynes.
www.eventbrite.com
August 7, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Was reminded last night, even when things feel tough, sometimes just getting in a studio and dancing helps...
I love to be guided by brilliant humans...and we have some brilliant humans coming to lead workshops in Milton Keynes this August: www.eventbrite.com/e/adult-cont...
I love to be guided by brilliant humans...and we have some brilliant humans coming to lead workshops in Milton Keynes this August: www.eventbrite.com/e/adult-cont...
Reposted by Effie McGuire Ward
Yasmin Khan, Arts Council England's Director for Individual Practitioners, talks about the importance of freelancers, reflecting on her own experiences and shares her vision to bring about a better future for cultural and creative practitioners.
www.artscouncil.org.uk/blog/lets-cr...
www.artscouncil.org.uk/blog/lets-cr...
Let’s Create with, by and for freelancers
Yasmin Khan, Individual Practitioners director, discusses the problems freelancers face and our work to support them.
www.artscouncil.org.uk
July 26, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Yasmin Khan, Arts Council England's Director for Individual Practitioners, talks about the importance of freelancers, reflecting on her own experiences and shares her vision to bring about a better future for cultural and creative practitioners.
www.artscouncil.org.uk/blog/lets-cr...
www.artscouncil.org.uk/blog/lets-cr...
I have never changed outfits 3 times in an audition before today...
6 hours of sweaty dancing and contact 🥵
6 hours of sweaty dancing and contact 🥵
July 11, 2025 at 7:36 PM
I have never changed outfits 3 times in an audition before today...
6 hours of sweaty dancing and contact 🥵
6 hours of sweaty dancing and contact 🥵
Thoughts on rejection from Daisy Howell:
"Are you archiving which artists...have been applying for the long term (maybe thats an indication of their ability to survive despite rejection - a useful note if the project demands a high level of success...)"
www.thegrittyleader.com/blog-1-1/fac...
"Are you archiving which artists...have been applying for the long term (maybe thats an indication of their ability to survive despite rejection - a useful note if the project demands a high level of success...)"
www.thegrittyleader.com/blog-1-1/fac...
Facing Rejection (but creating anyways) — The Gritty Leader
July 2025 - 8 Minute Read Let’s be honest: rejection is a major player in the arts. Whether you're freelancing across sectors or delivering big projects in a corporate boardroom, the sting of a "no...
www.thegrittyleader.com
July 7, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Thoughts on rejection from Daisy Howell:
"Are you archiving which artists...have been applying for the long term (maybe thats an indication of their ability to survive despite rejection - a useful note if the project demands a high level of success...)"
www.thegrittyleader.com/blog-1-1/fac...
"Are you archiving which artists...have been applying for the long term (maybe thats an indication of their ability to survive despite rejection - a useful note if the project demands a high level of success...)"
www.thegrittyleader.com/blog-1-1/fac...
"working in the arts has, in recent years, come to feel like a privilege to be eternally grateful for- even to the point of guilt. That can be confusing, especially after having functioned for so long as a credible, meaningful arts professional" - Antonia Grove
www.antoniagrove.co.uk/blog/okfrep9...
www.antoniagrove.co.uk/blog/okfrep9...
Selling Out, Showing Up, and Staying True — Antonia Grove
www.antoniagrove.co.uk
July 7, 2025 at 7:22 AM
"working in the arts has, in recent years, come to feel like a privilege to be eternally grateful for- even to the point of guilt. That can be confusing, especially after having functioned for so long as a credible, meaningful arts professional" - Antonia Grove
www.antoniagrove.co.uk/blog/okfrep9...
www.antoniagrove.co.uk/blog/okfrep9...
Warning: it takes longer than suggested/ estimated!
Arts Pay 2025
Employees, freelance workers, artists and business owner-managers are being encouraged to contribute to Arts Pay 2025, to shine a light on pay and conditions in the cultural sector.
👉 survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90848584/...
#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
Employees, freelance workers, artists and business owner-managers are being encouraged to contribute to Arts Pay 2025, to shine a light on pay and conditions in the cultural sector.
👉 survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90848584/...
#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
June 28, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Warning: it takes longer than suggested/ estimated!
Can really feel it in terms of contemporary dance - nowadays inevitably have to go to London to see anything...
Which makes me all the more excited that next week I can see dance touring to Banbury: www.themillartscentre.co.uk/shows/aftera...
Which makes me all the more excited that next week I can see dance touring to Banbury: www.themillartscentre.co.uk/shows/aftera...
June 24, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Can really feel it in terms of contemporary dance - nowadays inevitably have to go to London to see anything...
Which makes me all the more excited that next week I can see dance touring to Banbury: www.themillartscentre.co.uk/shows/aftera...
Which makes me all the more excited that next week I can see dance touring to Banbury: www.themillartscentre.co.uk/shows/aftera...
Genuinely appreciate getting rejection emails, and I'm sure telling me the number of applications received is meant to soften the blow...
It's just that hearing 400/ 700/ 1500 people are all applying for a handful of jobs is wild
It's just that hearing 400/ 700/ 1500 people are all applying for a handful of jobs is wild
May 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Genuinely appreciate getting rejection emails, and I'm sure telling me the number of applications received is meant to soften the blow...
It's just that hearing 400/ 700/ 1500 people are all applying for a handful of jobs is wild
It's just that hearing 400/ 700/ 1500 people are all applying for a handful of jobs is wild
Major budget envy watching Eurovision...how do I get a choreographer gig next time?!
May 15, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Major budget envy watching Eurovision...how do I get a choreographer gig next time?!
Youth dance company today came in chatting and fizzing with ideas, thoughts, queries, and suggestions...
Feels like we've made it 🙌 after 2 terms of gentle encouragement to disrupt that all too familiar disciplined dancer silence!
Feels like we've made it 🙌 after 2 terms of gentle encouragement to disrupt that all too familiar disciplined dancer silence!
April 26, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Youth dance company today came in chatting and fizzing with ideas, thoughts, queries, and suggestions...
Feels like we've made it 🙌 after 2 terms of gentle encouragement to disrupt that all too familiar disciplined dancer silence!
Feels like we've made it 🙌 after 2 terms of gentle encouragement to disrupt that all too familiar disciplined dancer silence!
Achievement of the day:
successfully adding the hour to my car clock on the first attempt
successfully adding the hour to my car clock on the first attempt
March 31, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Achievement of the day:
successfully adding the hour to my car clock on the first attempt
successfully adding the hour to my car clock on the first attempt
Kitted out with eye patches and 'swords' for Eek & Wild's new pirate dance - part of our menu of dance choices for children at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital today!
March 17, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Kitted out with eye patches and 'swords' for Eek & Wild's new pirate dance - part of our menu of dance choices for children at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital today!
Story of my life!
Big Freelancer Survey is on my to do list when I come up for air...
Big Freelancer Survey is on my to do list when I come up for air...
🎭 Hey team, we know you're busy... probably juggling three gigs, rewriting invoices, AND trying to eat lunch.
But instead of spending the next 10 mins doomscrolling, you can fill in The Big Freelancer Survey.
📝 Do the thing: 👉 buff.ly/b6cekkK
#BigFreelancerSurvey #FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
But instead of spending the next 10 mins doomscrolling, you can fill in The Big Freelancer Survey.
📝 Do the thing: 👉 buff.ly/b6cekkK
#BigFreelancerSurvey #FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
March 11, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Story of my life!
Big Freelancer Survey is on my to do list when I come up for air...
Big Freelancer Survey is on my to do list when I come up for air...
The best part of going through my inbox and clearing through 600+ emails is discovering an unread newsletter from Priya Parker on the Art of Gathering
Always worth pausing to read...
newsletter.priyaparker.com/sign-up
Always worth pausing to read...
newsletter.priyaparker.com/sign-up
Sign Up for the Art of Gathering Newsletter
You can transform the way you gather with your people, your communities, and your coworkers.
newsletter.priyaparker.com
March 9, 2025 at 1:55 PM
The best part of going through my inbox and clearing through 600+ emails is discovering an unread newsletter from Priya Parker on the Art of Gathering
Always worth pausing to read...
newsletter.priyaparker.com/sign-up
Always worth pausing to read...
newsletter.priyaparker.com/sign-up
Dance companies who choreograph their bows to undeservedly drag out the applause would be my nomination for Room 101
March 8, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Dance companies who choreograph their bows to undeservedly drag out the applause would be my nomination for Room 101
Like this idea of
Unscary Saturdays from Siobhan Davies - arguably more dance classes should be unscary!
www.siobhandavies.com/unscary-satu...
Unscary Saturdays from Siobhan Davies - arguably more dance classes should be unscary!
www.siobhandavies.com/unscary-satu...
Unscary Saturdays - Siobhan Davies Studios
With a different teacher each month. Programmed by Siobhan Davies Studios. A challenging and generous space to dance. Going to a dance class can be scary! Unscary Saturdays are inclusive classes open...
www.siobhandavies.com
March 3, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Like this idea of
Unscary Saturdays from Siobhan Davies - arguably more dance classes should be unscary!
www.siobhandavies.com/unscary-satu...
Unscary Saturdays from Siobhan Davies - arguably more dance classes should be unscary!
www.siobhandavies.com/unscary-satu...
Lots of last minute "Let's Dance" day requests coming in for Sunday 2nd March...
As much as I'd love to support, I have 6 consecutive working (dancing) days either side...so that Sunday is very much a sacred "Let's Rest" day!
As much as I'd love to support, I have 6 consecutive working (dancing) days either side...so that Sunday is very much a sacred "Let's Rest" day!
February 25, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Lots of last minute "Let's Dance" day requests coming in for Sunday 2nd March...
As much as I'd love to support, I have 6 consecutive working (dancing) days either side...so that Sunday is very much a sacred "Let's Rest" day!
As much as I'd love to support, I have 6 consecutive working (dancing) days either side...so that Sunday is very much a sacred "Let's Rest" day!
Saturdays are normally my regular teaching day...but instead for half term:
Performed in Hull ✅️
Drove to Manchester ✅️
All set and looking forward to Figures in Extinction
Performed in Hull ✅️
Drove to Manchester ✅️
All set and looking forward to Figures in Extinction
February 22, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Saturdays are normally my regular teaching day...but instead for half term:
Performed in Hull ✅️
Drove to Manchester ✅️
All set and looking forward to Figures in Extinction
Performed in Hull ✅️
Drove to Manchester ✅️
All set and looking forward to Figures in Extinction
The thought of packing a suitcase to work away for the week and then driving for 3 hours is filling me with exhaustion
How did I do this so regularly in previous years?!!
How did I do this so regularly in previous years?!!
February 16, 2025 at 12:38 PM
The thought of packing a suitcase to work away for the week and then driving for 3 hours is filling me with exhaustion
How did I do this so regularly in previous years?!!
How did I do this so regularly in previous years?!!
There's no good option when you wake up with a sore throat and the rumblings of a cold as a freelancer...
a) push through, get paid, get progressively more ill
b) take the day off, rest, avoid others getting infected, lose earnings, hope that you're miraculously better before the next gig
a) push through, get paid, get progressively more ill
b) take the day off, rest, avoid others getting infected, lose earnings, hope that you're miraculously better before the next gig
February 6, 2025 at 7:24 PM
There's no good option when you wake up with a sore throat and the rumblings of a cold as a freelancer...
a) push through, get paid, get progressively more ill
b) take the day off, rest, avoid others getting infected, lose earnings, hope that you're miraculously better before the next gig
a) push through, get paid, get progressively more ill
b) take the day off, rest, avoid others getting infected, lose earnings, hope that you're miraculously better before the next gig
Lovely refresh and reassurance in contact improv skills guided by Sophie Thorpe in Nottingham today - there's more coming up, and I'd recommend! fabric.dance/events/tom-d...
Contact Improvisation Class into Jam with Tom Dale Company - FABRIC
Join Sophie Thorpe from Tom Dale Company to explore some of the techniques that underpin contact improvisation in a relaxed, fun environment.
fabric.dance
January 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Lovely refresh and reassurance in contact improv skills guided by Sophie Thorpe in Nottingham today - there's more coming up, and I'd recommend! fabric.dance/events/tom-d...
This is a really interesting consideration of endings in dance - have had numerous professional endings which felt hurtful on a personal level
Have found there tends to be a push to move forward as opposed to reflecting and sitting with the endings
Have found there tends to be a push to move forward as opposed to reflecting and sitting with the endings
Laura Trocan, an independent producer from Bucharest who talks how she falls in love with, divorces and ends relationships with artists, how projects disappear from the internet and nominating a digital heir.
www.thegeometrician.com/the-end-of-d...
www.thegeometrician.com/the-end-of-d...
The End of Dance - Interview with Laura Trocan
In her interview Laura talks about how she falls in love with, divorces and ends relationships with artists, the loneliness of being an independent producer and legacies of kindness.
www.thegeometrician.com
January 15, 2025 at 6:01 PM
This is a really interesting consideration of endings in dance - have had numerous professional endings which felt hurtful on a personal level
Have found there tends to be a push to move forward as opposed to reflecting and sitting with the endings
Have found there tends to be a push to move forward as opposed to reflecting and sitting with the endings
Reminder - there's a rail sale on until 20th January
Picked myself up a couple of advance singles to Birmingham for £3.40 - if you know where and when you need to travel between now and end of March, it might be worth taking a look
Picked myself up a couple of advance singles to Birmingham for £3.40 - if you know where and when you need to travel between now and end of March, it might be worth taking a look
January 15, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Reminder - there's a rail sale on until 20th January
Picked myself up a couple of advance singles to Birmingham for £3.40 - if you know where and when you need to travel between now and end of March, it might be worth taking a look
Picked myself up a couple of advance singles to Birmingham for £3.40 - if you know where and when you need to travel between now and end of March, it might be worth taking a look