Hofesh Shechter Company

What Hofesh Shechter Company does

Hofesh Shechter Company is a London-headquartered contemporary dance company and registered charity (No. 1130255) founded in 2008 by Artistic Director and choreographer-composer Hofesh Shechter OBE. The company produces, tours, and presents large-scale dance works through an internationally diverse ensemble of dancers, performing at anchor UK venues (Sadler's Wells, Southbank Centre, The Old Vic, Brighton Dome) and across 13+ international markets including France, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, Luxembourg, Taiwan, South Korea, and Iceland. Beyond performance, it operates two structured participation programmes: Shechter II, a paid biennial apprenticeship for emerging dancers aged 18-25 (1,200+ applicants from 49 countries for 8 places per cohort), and Shechter Moves, an educational and engagement programme for schools and young people aged 14+ delivered via workshops and digital resource packs.

The company's product portfolio falls into three lines: main-stage repertory productions (Political Mother, Grand Finale, Double Murder, LIGHT: Bach dances, Theatre of Dreams, Oedipus), Shechter II works (From England with Love, Contemporary Dance 2.0, IN THE BRAIN), and learning and participation assets (Shechter Moves workshops, Hofesh Resource Packs aligned to AS/A-Level Dance). The underlying IP is the proprietary "Hofesh Movement Methodology" — a codified vocabulary of energy and emotion, use of the floor, groove and rhythm, and totality of the body — delivered through paid training, restagings, and curriculum support. Operational tooling is standard for a mid-sized arts organisation: Monad ticketing/CRM, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, SurveyMonkey and Culture Counts for impact evaluation, plus YesPlan.

Revenue is split between earned income (ticket sales, workshop and participation fees, co-production and licensing commissions — including notable deals with Paris Opera Ballet and Royal Danish Opera — and merchandise sold through eBay) and contributed income comprising Arts Council England National Portfolio funding for 2023-2026, the 2020 UK Government Culture Recovery Fund grant, the FEDORA-Van Cleef & Arpels Prize for Ballet, and ongoing project and core support from BNP Paribas Foundation, John Ellerman Foundation, The Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation, and Jerwood Foundation. Distribution runs through international touring across 40+ venues per cycle, co-production partners (Sadler's Wells, Théâtre de la Ville, Old Vic, Brighton Dome, Royal Danish Opera), and broadcast and social channels (BBC Two, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube).

Name

Hofesh Shechter Company

Legal name

Hofesh Shechter Company Ltd

Website

https://hofesh.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hofesh Shechter Company is a London-based contemporary dance company and registered charity that produces and tours original works by Artistic Director Hofesh Shechter, alongside paid professional development (Shechter II) and learning programmes (Shechter Moves) for dancers, schools, and audiences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts / Contemporary Dance

NAICS

Dance Companies (711120), Dance Companies (71112), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

akta.pro primary industry

Dance Performances (THAJAFAD)

Keywords

• Contemporary dance productions
• Dance touring services
• Professional dance training
• Dance education programmes
• Performing arts company

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Performance Revenue: Revenue generated from ticket sales for dance productions and performances at theatres across the UK and internationally.
2. Arts Council England Funding: Core funding as part of Arts Council England's National Portfolio of Organisations from 2023-2026.
3. Foundation and Corporate Support: Support from foundations including BNP Paribas Foundation, John Ellerman Foundation, The Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation, Jerwood Foundation, and others for project funding and core operations.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of merchandise through eBay storefront.
5. Workshop and Participation Fees: Revenue from workshops, professional development programs, and participation activities.
6. Licensing and Co-production: Revenue from co-productions with international dance companies and licensing of choreography to other companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hofesh Shechter Company is an internationally touring contemporary dance company that creates, produces and tours full-length dance works choreographed and composed by Artistic Director Hofesh Shechter OBE. Its core commercial activities are performance ticketing through international theatre touring, co-productions and licensing with major partner institutions, the Shechter II paid biennial apprenticeship programme for emerging dancers aged 18–25, and the Shechter Moves learning and engagement programme of workshops and digital resources for young people aged 14+.

Product overview

Hofesh Shechter Company is a boundary-breaking contemporary dance company founded in 2008, producing exceptional work created by Artistic Director Hofesh Shechter OBE with an internationally diverse company of dancers at its core. The company's portfolio includes main stage productions (Theatre of Dreams, Double Murder, Oedipus, Grand Finale, Political Mother) and works by Shechter II, its young company (IN THE BRAIN, From England with Love, Contemporary Dance 2.0, SHOW, Political Mother Unplugged). Supporting these productions is Shechter Moves, the company's learning and engagement programme offering workshops, digital resource packs, and participation projects primarily for young people aged 14+. Shechter II is the award-winning biennial professional development programme providing emerging dancers aged 18-25 with paid opportunities to train, create and tour professionally. The company also produces dance films including POLITICAL MOTHER: The Final Cut. The company collaborates on large-scale stage and film projects including revivals for major opera houses and short films broadcast on BBC Two.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Shechter II: Award-winning professional development programme for emerging contemporary dance artists aged 18-25, providing paid opportunities to train, create and tour within a professional dance company context.
• Shechter Moves

Products and services

• Shechter II Award-winning biennial professional development programme for emerging contemporary dancers aged 18–25, providing paid opportunities to train, create and tour within a professional dance company context, including performance, professional development and teaching skills.
• Shechter Moves Learning, engagement and development programme aimed primarily at young people aged 14+, offering workshops, digital resources and participation projects that make dance creativity accessible.
• IN THE BRAIN Full-length dance work created by Hofesh Shechter for Shechter II, developed from CAVE. A raw, electrifying exploration of movement, rhythm and collective energy.
• From England with Love Compelling dance work for Shechter II exploring the multi-layered complexity of England, performed on extensive UK and international tour.
• Theatre of Dreams Full-length evening work by Hofesh Shechter taking audiences into the theatre of dreams and the subconscious, revealing fears, hopes, desires and emotions.
• Oedipus Theatre production co-produced with The Old Vic, a new adaptation by Ella Hickson of Sophocles' play with choreography and music by Hofesh Shechter.
• Double Murder Double bill of two contrasting pieces – Clowns and The Fix – exploring societal schisms and human kinship with sarcastic nods to violence and tender, fragile energy.
• Contemporary Dance 2.0 Rhythmic, fiercely energetic and exhilarating performance with an eclectic sound score featuring euphoric feel and throbbing beats, performed by Shechter II.
• Shechter Moves Digital Resource Packs Digital resource packs designed to support all teachers, students or anyone interested in Hofesh Shechter's work, distributed as part of the Shechter Moves programme.
• Workshop Programme Specialist workshops delivered by Hofesh Shechter Company dancers and staff, drawing on the company's unique movement methodology (energy and emotion, use of the floor, groove and rhythm, totality of the body).
• LIGHT: Bach dances Major new multidisciplinary work inspired by Bach's cantatas and featuring real-life testimony of people facing death, produced in co-production with Royal Danish Opera.
• Grand Finale Original full-length dance production from the company's repertoire, performed internationally and recognised with the Canadian Dora Award and Helpmann Award nomination.
• Political Mother Hofesh Shechter's first full-length work, premiered in 2010 and recognised as one of his most iconic pieces, performed worldwide in original and re-staged versions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Shechter II 2024 toured to 40 venues in 7 countries reaching approximately 46,000 people
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• The Place (London Contemporary Dance School)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2026Three-year international research and innovation partnership (2025-2028) funded by Jerwood Foundation, redefining how the dance sector cares for, trains, and sustains artists. Embeds science-informed practice from training through worldwide touring to support career longevity.
• The BRIT SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 July 2022Partnership launched July 2022 to develop multi-stranded programme increasing diversity and equal opportunities within dance. Features large-scale re-staging of Political Mother with 75+ students, marking BRIT's 30th anniversary. Partnership aims to widen access to professional careers through alternative pathways and training.
• Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 March 2021Long-term partnership launched March 2021 as part of joint commitment to increasing diversity and equal opportunities within the dance sector. Multi-stranded programme includes pre-vocational and community outreach, activity with HE students, and professional development and mentoring opportunities.
• Dance EastmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHSC will work with Dance East over coming years to engage with local communities and create a Dance Hub for apprentice company Shechter II. Includes production residency for From England with Love.
• Academy of Theatre & Dance, AmsterdammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelationship began with restaging project; has grown organically with 6 students from academy now in Shechter II. Focus on decolonisation of curriculum and student-centred learning aligns with HSC's drive.
• Paris Conservatoires ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration as part of UK/France Spotlight programme on Culture 2024, supported by British Council. Features 162 young people from Conservatoire de la Ville de Paris performing devised extracts from Hofesh's works.
• Sadler's WellscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHofesh Shechter is Associate Artist of Sadler's Wells. Company produces and premieres major works at Sadler's Wells including Theatre of Dreams UK premiere. Ongoing co-production relationship.
• Théâtre de la Ville PariscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term co-production and presenting partner. Theatre of Dreams world premiere June 2024. Multiple co-productions including From England with Love and Oedipus. Shechter II achieved 29 sold-out performances.
• The Old ViccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation on Oedipus production starring Rami Malek and Indira Varma. Co-directed by Matthew Warchus and Hofesh Shechter, premiering January 2025.
• Paris Opera BalletmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHofesh created Red Carpet specifically for Paris Opera Ballet at Palais Garnier in 2025 - the first time choreographer devised an entire evening for a company other than his own.
• L'Agora - Cité Internationale de la Danse, MontpelliermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHofesh appointed Co-director alongside Jann Gallois, Dominique Hervieu and Pierre Martinez. Leadership position in one of France's most important international dance centres.
• Gauthier DancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHofesh Shechter is Artist-in-Residence of Gauthier Dance (2021-2026).
• Brighton DomecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHofesh Shechter Company is Associate Company of Brighton Dome. Theatre of Dreams to perform as part of Brighton Festival 2025.
• Royal Danish OperamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production of LIGHT: Bach dances (2021) at Royal Danish Theatre, Copenhagen. Winner of FEDORA Prize 2020. Second collaboration following Orphée et Eurydice at La Scala.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Akram Khan Company: London-based contemporary dance company creating and touring choreographic work internationally, founded around the same era and with a similarly named-artist brand model. Directly comparable as a UK contemporary dance company with international touring, ACE National Portfolio funding, and an associate-artist relationship with major venues.
• Wayne McGregor | Random Dance: UK contemporary dance company built around a single named choreographer, touring major international venues and producing both stage work and film. Closely comparable in artistic-led brand, repertoire model, and audience development through cutting-edge contemporary choreography.
• Russell Maliphant Company: Small UK contemporary dance company producing and touring work created by a single choreographer, with frequent Sadler's Wells and international co-productions. Comparable in scale, single-artist brand identity, and reliance on venue co-production partnerships.
• Rambert: One of the UK's leading contemporary dance companies, touring nationally and internationally and running extensive learning and participation programmes. Comparable in touring scale, ACE National Portfolio status, and breadth of educational/community engagement.
• Matthew Bourne's New Adventures: UK dance-theatre company producing and touring large-scale narrative productions built around a single named choreographer-director. Comparable in UK brand-led touring model, large-scale venue engagement, and crossover audience appeal.
• Ballet Black: London-based dance company focused on diversifying classical and contemporary dance, working with multiple choreographers and touring UK venues. Comparable in scale, UK touring footprint, and emphasis on widening access to dance careers (overlapping with HSC's BRIT School/NSCD diversity agenda).
• Candoco Dance Company: UK contemporary dance company integrating disabled and non-disabled dancers, producing and touring work alongside learning and participation programmes. Comparable in UK ACE-funded contemporary dance operating model, touring scale, and emphasis on access and participation.

Broad incumbents

• Nederlands Dans Theater: Large internationally renowned contemporary dance company based in The Hague, commissioning and touring works by leading choreographers including Hofesh Shechter. Comparable as a contemporary dance peer commissioning cutting-edge work, but significantly larger and more established than HSC.
• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Major US-based contemporary dance company with a large repertory, extensive international touring, and strong educational/outreach programmes. Comparable in contemporary dance touring scale and educational mission, but operates at significantly greater scale and headcount.
• Birmingham Royal Ballet: UK-based major dance company with large-scale national and international touring and extensive learning programmes. Comparable as a UK ACE-funded dance company with both performance and learning arms, though primarily ballet-based versus HSC's contemporary focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/hofeshshechterco/feed
• Facebookfacebook.com/hofeshco
• Instagraminstagram.com/hofeshco
• TikToktiktok.com/@hofeshshechter

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hofesh Shechter Company