About

Works | Performer/Collaborations | Research

I am a mover, maker and mother based in Cardiff.

I create work as an independent dance artist, movement director, choreographer and performer. The moving body is my primary site for creative experience and communication. I invest in the body as a site for research and a resource of knowledge. I draw on its capacity for stark honesty and nuanced intimacy to create powerful shared experiences that resonant and connect with others. My practice is rooted in using individual perspectives to embody broader human experience. I bring together artists from across disciplines to create work that is intimate, honest and visually striking. My work spans theatre, site, installation and participatory projects.

Deborah is also an artistic director of Light, Ladd & Emberton

Deborah’s work has been presented nationally and internationally.
‘Caitlin’ commissioned by National Library of Wales in 2014 for Dylan Thomas centenary has toured regularly including British Council showcase at Edinburgh Fringe, national showcase event ‘A Nations Theatre’ at Battersea Arts Centre and a British Council supported tour to India as part of Wales in Calcutta. It has been filmed as part of BBC Dance Passion and won ‘Best Dance Production’ in Wales Theatre Awards.
‘HIDE’ was presented at British Dance Edition 2014, Spring Loaded 2014 and was shortlisted for a Theatre Wales Award 2014.

Deborah shortlisted as a Place Prize Semi Finalist in 2010 and received a Creative Wales Award in 2009. She has been an associate artist of Chapter Arts, Coreo Cymru and National Dance Company Wales. She has received choreographic commissions from companies including Aura Dance Theatre Lithuania, Dance Shorts Wales, Welsh Independent Dance and Polish Dance Theatre. Deborah has also been involved in national and international research programs ‘ChoreoDrome’ and ‘ChoreoRoam’ at The Place London.

Deborah also work as a movement director for theatre including Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, FranWen, Taking Flight and RWCMD and as a dramaturge/mentor/creative assistant for other dance/theatre artists.. Her work as a performer and collaborator includes Joanna Young, Run Ragged Productions, Caroline Sabin, and Sean Tuan John. She guest teaches for organisations including Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Rubicon Dance and USW Trinity St David.

Deborah is a founder member of Groundwork – an artist led collective which offers training, development and creative opportunities to support the dance ecology in Wales.

Deborah lives in Cardiff and has 3 small children.

“An original voice with a stark, uncompromising vision.”

— Nicholas Minns, Writing about Dance

“Deborah is an original. She makes performances that are completely idiosynchratic. They occupy a world of dance and the body that is mysterious and familiar and delicately transfixing. As much artworks as theatrical experiences her choreographies are full of dark imagery and odd characters.”

— Eddie Nixon, Director of Theatre and Artist Development, The Place

“Deborah Light continues to create original, thought provoking, high quality work.”

— Andy Eagle, Director, Chapter Cardiff

“Deborah Light is one of a rare group of artists who's work is genuinely free from the restraints of convention. She makes pieces which are confident whilst without ego and are often as charming as they are brave.”

— Audience member,