Sampled returns to Sadler’s Wells to offer audiences an array of dance from just £8. It is a unique event which presents a diverse assortment of dance styles from across the globe including ballet, tango, hip hop and contemporary. I fire some quick questions to two brilliant choreographers appearing in the Sampled season; Sadler's Wells New Wave associate Alexander Whitley and Hofesh Shechter whose electrifying production closes the Sampled season.

Hofesh Shechter Company - Political Mother - The Choreographer's Cut

Bethan Wood: Could you please tell us a bit about the Sadler's Sampled Platform and about your involvement?

Hofesh Shechter: Sadler's Sampled is an opportunity to see dance companies you haven't seen before for a low cost. Political Mother: the Choreographer's Cut is one the main events of the festival.

Alexander Whitley: Sampled is an annual festival at Sadler's Wells theatre that presents short works from a wide variety of dance styles, which aims to celebrate the diverse forms that dance, can take as well as introduce audiences to areas of dance they might be unfamiliar with. This year, as part of my position as a New Wave Associate artist at Sadler's Wells, I'm presenting an excerpt of my new piece The Measures Taken.  

BW: Could you sum up the piece you are presenting and why it's one to watch?

HS: Political Mother: the Choreographer's Cut is a massive, 40 performer piece of music and dance. It is a wild celebration, an overwhelming bombardment of imagery and emotions that takes audiences on a journey that hopefully provokes and interests. For anyone that loves music, dance and quirky art work - that may be interesting...

AW: The Measures Taken is a contemporary dance piece that explores our relationship with technology that's being developed in collaboration with digital arts studio Marshmallow Laser Feast. It's set to an original score by electronic composer Machinefabriek and has five outstanding dancers who have joined me from companies including Rambert Dance Company and Sydney Dance Company. 

BW: If you could collaborate with any of the choreographers or dancers in the platform who would they be and why?

HS: I would collaborate with my dancers, which I did, because they are brilliant and talented and inspiring!

AW: I'd work with them all given the chance! Storyboard P looks really exciting and I'd be interested to collaborate with a dancer/choreographer from a different background to my own. I mentored a young hip-hop choreographer recently and enjoyed seeing how the choreographic principles I work with can be applied to a different dance technique. 

Alexander Whitley

BW: What drives you to create and who has been the biggest influence in your career?

HS: My choreography comes from connection to emotions, to things I feel, things that move me. It is a personal sense of being connected to the body, which gives an authenticity, an honesty.

My 'school' was mainly dancing with the Batsheva Dance Company in Tel-Aviv, under the artistic direction of Ohad Naharin- a very powerful choreographer from whom I learned a lot.  A variety of choreographers from Forsythe to Pina through Wim Vanderkybus, film makers such as Kubrick and folk-dancing at school - one could say all these are my origin and inspiration as a creator. Plus the fact the world is fucked up.

AW: I think my curiosity is what drives me the most - of the world in general and of dance and the body/mind in particular. I love the creative process because it allows me to explore a wide range of subjects, to ask questions of how our we capable of communicating things in the absence of words and to understand a little more, as well as confronting new problems, about dance in the process. It's impossible to name one person in particular who has been most influential as I've had the privilege of working with so many great choreographers throughout my dancing career, however, Wayne McGregor with his highly cerebral approach to dance has undoubtedly been a big influence as well Jonathan Burrows with his thoughtful and inquisitive approach to the creative process.  

BW: With a summer packed full of music festivals and gigs – what makes you want to get on the dance floor?

HS: It’s a richer experience. You still have the music- but have more...

AW: Well it's dancing that really brings music to life, so what better way to enjoy it? 

BW: What plans have you got over summer and for the rest of 2013?

HS: In rehearsal for a new work SUN over the summer and then a heavy touring schedule round the world. Any time left, if any, will be spent hitting tennis balls.

AW: I'm co-creating and performing in Nest, a site specific production in the heart of London with New Movement Collective in July and then creating a short piece for Wayne McGregor | Random Dance for a project they're doing at Kings Place in September. I'll be continuing to develop The Measures Taken in preparation for the full production's premiere at the Royal Opera House. 

Sadler’s Sampled runs at Sadler’s Wells from 22 June – 7 July, for more info see www.sadlerssampled.com