Peter Royston (choreographer)
Peter Royston (born 1952 in London) is a dancer/ choreographer/teacher/director.
A successful career as a ballet dancer was followed by a choreographic career initiated by Scottish Ballet Director Peter Darrell who chose a workshop piece Steps to ..? for the company repertoire. This was followed by several commissions by Scottish Ballet. Created Scottish Dance Theatre in 1985 (not to be confused with the current Scottish Dance Theatre based in Dundee). This company supported by The Scottish Arts Council and based in Glasgow toured Scotland and appeared in London (1985–1988) . Initial performances explored a close collaboration with Designer Graham Bowers which had started with Pococurantis (Scottish Ballet) and developed with Friction and Touch (Scottish Dance Theatre) performed at the inaugural performances of SDT at The Tron Theatre in Glasgow and following tour to favourable reviews.
Represented the UK at The International Course for Choreographers and composers 1984 Directed by Robert Cohan. Served on the dance committee at The Scottish Arts Council 1994 - 1999. Appointed lecturer at Dundee College 1991. developed a foundation course into the now Scottish school of contemporary dance based at The Space a £5million lottery funded studio and theatre complex which is home to the school.[1]
Education
Started dance classes aged 5. Royal Academy of Dancing scholar (1963–1968) Trained at The Royal Ballet School (1968–1970) Arts Educational (1970–1971)
Dancer
The Royal ballet of Flanders, Munster State Ballet, Kiel State Ballet, The Scottish Ballet (1975–1985)
Choreographer
Major works for The Scottish Ballet: Steps to ? (1981), To The Last Whale (1982), Randombach, Quarrels not their own (1983), Pococurantis (1985), Ringed by the flat horizon (1985)
For Scottish Dance Theatre: Friction and Touch (both with Graham Bowers, 1985), Brief Encounter (1986), Love minus zero no limit (1986), 5 Women (1986), Consuming Passions (1987)
Other choreography: Red Hot Shoes for Tron Theatre (writer Liz Lochhead 1987), Columba (op) opera (opera to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Glasgow Cathedral 1987), Great Scot (director John Cairney 1988)
Dance Artist
Appointed Dance Artist in Residence to Borders Region (1988–1991)
Created Borders Dance Festival and many works including a site specific work with composer Savourna Stevenson.
Lecturer
Appointed dance lecturer at Dundee College 1991
Director
Director of The Scottish School of Contemporary Dance (2000 - 2011)
Appointed as Dance development officer for perth and Kinross council August 2012