On Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 March, 300 boys aged seven to 16 from across the Solent region will take to the stage at Southampton’s Mayflower Studios for the 14th annual ManMade performance, delivered by ZoieLogic Dance Theatre.
ManMade is an all-male youth dance platform that brings together boys from primary and secondary schools to challenge perceptions of dance and who it is for. Over a 12-week programme, participants work with ZoieLogic’s trained dance facilitators in regular in-school workshops, culminating in a full-scale professional production performed on one of the South Coast’s leading stages. The performances regularly sell out.
The programme is designed to grow the number of boys who benefit from dance, while opening doors to creative pathways and future career possibilities. Alongside technical and creative skills, ManMade supports confidence, wellbeing, teamwork and self-expression, creating an accessible, supportive environment that prioritises connection, learning and fun.
Zoie Golding MBE, Founder and CEO of ZoieLogic Dance Theatre, says, “ManMade was created to give boys permission to move, express themselves and be seen. Dance can be transformational, not just artistically, but personally. The energy at ManMade is electric; we see hundreds of young men supporting and cheering each other on. ManMade creates a much needed space where young men grow in confidence, discover new strengths and realise they are not alone and that they belong on stage and beyond it.”
Participation in ManMade is free for schools, thanks to continued philanthropic support. Since first launching in Newbury in 2010, the programme has grown significantly, expanding into the wider Southampton region in 2018. To date, more than 1,400 boys aged seven to 19 have taken part in ZoieLogic’s ManMade events.
With support from Backstage Trust, the programme has expanded from just three schools to 16 schools over its 16-year journey.
Backstage Trust’s Executive Administrator Helen Cave says, “ManMade is an exceptional example of how the performing arts can positively shape young lives. By removing financial barriers, the programme ensures boys from all backgrounds can take part, build confidence and experience the transformative power of performance.”
Sam Connis, ZoieLogic’s Community Manager, says, “The change we see in the boys over the course of ManMade is remarkable. Students who were once hesitant become confident, focused and proud of what they’ve achieved. Performing at the Mayflower Studios is a huge moment for them; it raises aspirations and shows them what they’re capable of.”
Teachers consistently report the impact of ManMade extending well beyond the studio. For example, Emma Godsall from Southampton’s Redbridge Community School says, “We absolutely loved being part of ManMade last year – it was genuinely one of the highlights of my career seeing 22 of our boys performing at the Mayflower. The boys gained so much from the experience, both as dancers and as young people.”
Tickets for the ManMade performances are now on sale through the Mayflower Studios. For more information, visit zoielogic.co.uk.
