James Pett and Travis Clausen-Knight are award-winning choreographers, directors and founders of PCK Dance, an internationally touring company recognised by the Critics’ Circle as one of the most exciting independent dance companies emerging from the UK. Both former dancers with Company Wayne McGregor, Michael Clarke Company, New Adventures and Richard Alston Dance, they have built a reputation for visually arresting, high-impact work that resonates with audiences worldwide.
Their first full-length production, IMAGO, premiered at the world-renowned Teatro Grande in Italy to outstanding five-star critical acclaim, with critics describing the work as “transformative”. It marked the company as a bold new force in contemporary dance. Since its inception, PCK Dance has toured extensively across Europe, Asia and the United States. This rapid ascent was recognised through consecutive nominations at the National Dance Awards (Critics’ Circle) in 2023 and 2024 for Best Independent Company and Best Emerging Choreographers, marking their emergence as a significant voice within the UK and international dance landscape.
Alongside their company work, James and Travis have established an exceptional international profile as choreographers. In 2025, their full-length commission Bodies of Division for Ballet de Santiago was awarded Best Work of the Year by the Chilean Critics’ Circle — a landmark international recognition of their choreographic voice. Their growing body of commissions spans leading companies worldwide, including Croatian National Ballet, Ballet de Monterrey, Bangkok City Ballet in collaboration with the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, and Phoenix Dance Theatre in the UK.
As performers, they have appeared at some of the world’s most prestigious venues and platforms, including Sadler’s Wells, the London Coliseum, Palais Garnier and the Bolshoi Theatre, as well as major international galas such as Roberto Bolle & Friends and Ballet Icons Gala. In 2024, they became one of the first contemporary companies to be presented within the Ballet Icons Gala at the London Coliseum, further cementing their position across both contemporary and classical spheres.
In 2026, PCK Dance becomes Company in Residence at Eden Court Theatre in Scotland, marking a significant expansion of the company’s scale and infrastructure. Alongside this, the company continues to be invited by the British Council to represent the United Kingdom internationally through major cultural programmes, including performances marking the 75th Anniversary of UK–Indonesia diplomatic relations, as well as cultural exchange projects across Malaysia, Thailand and wider Asia — positioning PCK Dance as a key ambassador for British contemporary dance on the global stage.
Alongside their touring and creation, PCK Dance maintains a strong commitment to education and outreach. Through workshops, residencies and their PCK Moves programme, the company has engaged thousands of participants across diverse communities, from young dancers to older adults, alongside international programmes including Creative Ageing initiatives and masterclasses at the Living Dance Festival in Jinan, China.
With a growing repertoire of over twenty works for stage and screen, PCK Dance continues to expand its reach through touring, commissions and large-scale productions — creating work that is visually distinctive, physically driven and emotionally resonant, and that continues to push the boundaries of contemporary dance on an international stage.
