MELISSA RAYNE
Outsider Dance Artist
"Melissa creates really powerful performances of original choreography. Challenging, unsettling, moving, beautiful. Her work needs to be seen!" VIcky Annand, Visual Artist
I am an Outsider Dance Artist...
Neurodivergent, disabled, and with dual-heritage, I create anti-patriarchal DanceArt rooted in feminism, the Occult, the art and practices of Ithell Colquhoun, mental health and the Human Condition.
I work as a choreographer, dancer/performer, movement director and workshop facilitator throughout London. Get in touch or find out more.
REVIEWS
"Melissa Rayne embodies a raw, animalistic approach infused with a provocative and sensual edge. Combining spell casting and ritualistic movement with the simplicity of the silence of the human body, Rayne brings an almost mysterious yet powerful approach to movement that leaves you both captivated and also on edge. With constant focus on the quality and the message she wants to produce, Rayne's work challenges conventions and introduces a bold new dynamic" Ozzy B.C - Dance Artist and Choreographer
"Melissa is an insightful, amusing and dedicated choreographer and performer. With a unique sense of the world , she remains undaunted in the face of the challenges patriarchal and traditional art-making practices have presented to her creation process." Aaron Markwell - Choreographer and Founder Markwell Arts and DANE
"Working on The Tree of Life with Melissa was a true pleasure, particularly because of the project's inclusive nature. There was a space to play without judgement, a rarity in project settings" Jan Wood - Dance Artist and Co-Founder Twofold Dance Theatre
"A superbly acted performance is complemented by six dancers whose fluid contemporary style expresses the emotions of Constanze, physically enhancing the implications of the sung words as her autobiography unfolds. Their presence, skilfully and poetically choreographed by Maria da Luz, acts as a narrative to the story, woven into the action yet not obtruding on it. The added wow factor, though, is that these dancers are also accomplished puppeteers" Mike Aspen, reviewing 'Constanze', West Green House Opera
"I found Melissa's approach engaging and her instructions were easy to follow. Creativity is born out of chaos.The untangling of clutter both mentally and physically tends to have a calming effect on the mind, body, and soul. I think more people need to be introduced to this idea, as it can be a good way to help reconnect one with oneself and also introduce one to other people. The past three years have been extremely difficult for all, and a class like this will help in the way of bringing fun back into our community" Milo - Creative Dance Participant