Portrait by Jon C Archdeacon
Nicola Adilman is a distinguished dance artist whose work intricately explores human connection & identity through storytelling, visual, & sensory performance landscapes.
Her multifaceted career spans choreography, performance, filmmaking, & movement research, positioning her as a dynamic & imaginative voice within the contemporary dance scene.
Guided by an interdisciplinary approach, Nicola draws inspiration from visual art, film, & text—mediums that deepen storytelling & create immersive, interactive experiences. Her work instinctively incorporates the values of equity, feminism, & empowerment, weaving narratives & abstractions into creations that embrace joy, humour, camaraderie, character work, & physical dexterity. Often described as witty, whimsical, & deeply emotive, her choreographic style balances poetic abstraction with relatable themes that resonate with performers & audiences alike.
Nicola’s creative process is rooted in listening, close observation, improvisation, nature, & playfulness. Through collaboration & conversation, she finds her artistic stride, remaining open to change & responsive to the environments she inhabits. She views dance as an inexhaustible & nourishing source of life—one that invites fearless interaction with the world, reveals her limits, expands her capabilities, & connects her with a diverse range of people.
Her recent work includes the compelling performance As of Right Now with excerpts being performed at The Place, Chisenhale Dance Space, Harrow Arts Centre & Rose Lipman Building. In her practice, Nicola seamlessly merges choreography, movement direction & videography with her experience as a performer, collaborating with like-minded artists to create works that she can both direct & inhabit. As a dancer, she has had the pleasure of working in creations by numerous acclaimed choreographers, including Jack Murphy, Jorge Crecis, Fabio Liberti, Hagit Yakira, Peggy Baker, Sasha Ivanochko, Allen Kaeja, Susie Burpee, Robert Desrosiers, Danny Grossman, Jocelyn Mah, Charles Moulton, Christopher House, among others.
Originally from Toronto, Canada, she began her formal training at Dance Arts Institute, (previously known as The School of Toronto Dance Theatre). She continued her studies at the London School of Contemporary Dance, where she graduated with distinction in her Master’s degree.