On Girlhood is a new contemporary dance and physical theatre work created by Millie Parker, an emerging dance artist based in Devon. Millie's creative practice is rooted in feminism, identity, nostalgia, environment and place and this work marks her first steps into creating larger scale work ready for touring, involving a full creative team. On Girlhood will be performed at Barnstable Fringe Theatre Fest in June 2026, with more performance opportunities in the works and is currently in R&D to reach its performance ready state as a 45 min long work. The creative team includes, Millie as Artistic Director and Performer, 3 devising performers and a musician and will expand to include dramaturgical help soon. All collaborators are emerging artists and are either female identifying or are firmly based creating in the South West.

The project has started self funded, with in-kind support in the form of free studio space or classes/workshops run with funds being put back into the project from, The Hall Exeter, Studio 12 Movement Works and Moor Imagination Centre. The devising performers have had their travel expenses covered by the project lead and have donated their time and efforts for R&D.

The main challenges for making work currently are studio hire as for dance suitable venues rates in the area can vary from £10-£25 an hour. Project funding opportunities are widely sort after and over-subscribed and there is only so far that the passion and determination of your creative efforts can take you without reasonable financial support.

Funds To Be Allocated To:

Studio hire for R&D and rehearsals

Day rate fees for devising performers during rehearsals

Transport costs

Musician fees

Dramaturg day rate

Workshop expenses

Equipment/Costumes

Venue hire for work in progress sharing and performances

Work Description

Described as ‘relatable’, ‘chaotic’ and ‘whimsical’, the work navigates the universal experiences of discovering place and identity and aims to answer the question – how does your idea of what it means to be a woman change as you grow up?

A work in 5 acts, each telling a different story, when that question was present, it travels through nostalgia, joy and innocence, eldest daughter energy, indignation, expectations, the external eye, grieving change, harnessing quiet anger and finding sisterhood. With its strong story telling focus, it hopes to encourage audience members to reflect on their own moments when they realised being a woman meant something different to what they thought.

Thank You

If you have the means to donate towards the projects running costs so it can be performance ready and reach its aspirations of being a piece of work for touring then we would be so very appreciative. For some guidance on how to donate please consider donating £10 for an hour of studio hire! Get in touch if you would like to be added to the mailing list to hear project updates, workshop and performance announcements, opportunities to get involved (community cast pending!) or for free tickets!