Company Chameleon Bids Anthony Missen Farewell After 18 Years

After 18 incredible years, Company Chameleon say a heartfelt farewell to their Co-Founder, Anthony Missen, as he steps into an exciting new role as Chief Executive & Creative Director at DanceEast.

Anthony says, “I’m delighted to announce my appointment as Chief Executive and Creative Director of DanceEast, the powerhouse that is the home for dance in the East of England. DanceEast has been a shining light for dance for decades. It has a vision of a world where everyone can benefit from the vital and life-enhancing power of dance.

Through bringing the best artists, performances and participatory experiences to East Anglia, DanceEast has developed a remarkable and rich dance ecology. I’m honoured and excited to build on this development, and to lead the organisation in its next chapter.”

Anthony co-founded Company Chameleon with fellow Co-Artistic Director, Kevin Edward Turner MBE, who he met at Trafford Youth Dance Theatre in the 1990s. After studying and graduating from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD), they earned their stripes touring and performing with dance companies around the world. In 2007, they returned home to Manchester with a vision to start their own dance company, and Company Chameleon was born.

Anthony says, “Over 18 years, Kevin and I have achieved what we set out to do, and so much more. We’ve carved a local, national and international profile for our touring works, and fly the flag around the world not only with productions, but with training, cultural education and creative health programmes.

We’ve created a hub for dance for the city region, a place for people of all ages and abilities to learn, create, experiment, play and train. Chameleon is the key player in the development of dance in the city region. It’s no exaggeration to say that we’ve changed the game for dance in the North-West. I leave the company in full flight, proudly.”

Kevin says, “Chameleon was born in the minds and hearts of two young working-class lads in the 90s.  We told ourselves that once we had become professional dancers and toured the world, we’d come back to Manchester and set up our own dance company.

We didn’t know how we would do it, what it would look like or what was required to make it happen, but somehow with hard work, dedication, passion, good fortune and a core belief in ourselves and what we could do, we made it happen.

What Anthony and I, and the entire Chameleon team, have built over the last 18 years has surpassed our wildest dreams, and has made a permanent mark in Manchester, and the national and global dance scene.”

Since being established in 2007, Company Chameleon has grown from a team of two to a team of fourteen and has made 21 dance theatre productions, which have toured around the world. Today, Chameleon performs over 50 performances each year, and has a thriving learning and participation programme, which creates the opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy and experience the many benefits of dance.

Anthony says, “Chameleon has been my life for a very long time, so there’s lots of feeling and emotion attached to moving on. The Chameleon team are astounding, passionate, driven, and absolutely know the value of what we do. These values are shared with DanceEast, so I’m sure there will be much work to do together!

As I move on, I know that Kevin, as Artistic Director, will lead Company Chameleon to new heights. His passion, determination and creativity leave no doubt that he’ll continue to grow and evolve what Chameleon does.”

Kevin says, “Your chapter Anthony, your story and impact through Company Chameleon will always be honoured and remembered. The legacy that you leave behind with the company is immense, far reaching and ingrained into the DNA of the company. I promise to honour that legacy, build on it and continue the amazing work that we started together.”

Andrew Hurst MBE, Chair of Company Chameleon and Chief Executive of One Dance UK, says, “It’s been an honour to witness the growth of Anthony and Kevin as creatives and leaders over the years. I’ve seen the company and its two co-founders flourish and thrive through numerous challenges, shaping a bold new vision for creating a dance hub in the North West at Chameleon’s studios in Openshaw.

We all want to thank Anthony for making the dream of two working class lads a reality, which moves and inspires so many on a local, regional, national and international level today.

The Board and entire staff team wish Anthony the very best in his new role and are looking forward to the next phase of growth and development for Company Chameleon with Kevin leading.”

Visit companychameleon.com for the latest Company Chameleon news.

Anthony Missen, photo by Joel Chester Fildes