Choreographic Work
Since graduating from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Esme has developed a creative practice revolving around improvisational scores and character work, taking huge influence from music and film. Her aim is to open an emotional dialogue between audience and performer, be it one of grief, anger, joy, all tied together by an aspect of funk, sex and tragedy.
Esme’s work leans into her background in classical and contemporary dance, favouring physicality and a synergy between movement and music. She has a desire to create work that reflects the vulnerability and complexity of the world today: there is realism to her practice, as well as playful over-exaggeration and caricature. The result is work that asks its viewer to question their moral compass between moments of laughter and lightheartedness.
In 2024, Esme’s choreographic project ‘Where Do i Put The Anger?’ underwent its first period of research and development supported by The Middle Floor, Leeds. In March 2026, Esme revisited this project in Residency at IOU Creation Centre in Halifax, funded by Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement. This project is ongoing.
Esme recently took part in Gecko Theatre’s MAKE Residency to further hone her practice in creation.
Photography by Elly Welford during Residency at The Middle Floor, Leeds
Where Do I Put The Anger? R&D (2026)
Second period of Research and Development for choreographic work, ‘Where Do i Put The Anger?’ , hosted by IOU Creation Centre, Halifax
This research period was funded by Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement
Photo by Elly Welford
Gecko MAKE Residency (2026)
Period of working with artists Chris Evans and Vanessa Guevara Flores on Gecko’s specific movement language and their devising strategies. This culminated in a short piece of work created during the week
One week residency at Clod Studio, North Greenwich
Photo by Malachy Luckie
Solo, Untitled (2025)
Commissioned by Mandy Long and Stephen Cole to perform in ‘Fragments’ exhibition (2025) at the Corn Exchange, Leeds
Accompaniment: ‘Bookstore’ & ‘Phone Call’ from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind by Jon Brion, ‘Sublime’ by Sarah Kinsley and ‘Losing You’ by Solange
Duration: 10 minutes
Footage by Stephen Cole
Where Do i Put The Anger? R&D (2024)
First period of Research and Development for latest choreographic work, ‘Where Do i Put The Anger?’ , hosted by The Middle Floor, Leeds
The project involves a mixed media of performance art, including physical theatre, spoken word and dance exploration
Footage by Elly Welford
Dovetail (2023), choreographed in collaboration with Francesca Costa
Commissioned by Bradley Creswick MBE to perform at the Remembrance Day Concert in Newcastle Upon Tyne, in collaboration with Bradley Creswick MBE and his live orchestra
Accompaniment: ‘A Soldier’s Tale’ by Igor Stravinsky
Duration: 18 minutes
Cì·clo (2023), choreographed in collaboration with Francesca Costa
Commissioned by Bradley Creswick MBE to perform at the Inaugural Patron’s Concert in Newcastle Upon Tyne, in collaboration with Bradley Creswick MBE and his live orchestra
Accompaniment: ‘Violin Concerto No. 2 In E Major’ by Johann Sebastian Bach
Duration: 8 minutes
By The Way, Which One’s Pink? (2023)
Selected for the Future Now programme and performed at the Riley Theatre, Leeds
Accompaniment: ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond Pts 1-5’ and ‘Shine On you Crazy Diamond Pts 6-9’ by Pink Floyd
Duration: 10 minutes
DRAG PERFORMANCE 
Photograph by Glitterbomb Dancers
Over the last two years, Esme has developed a drag act in collaboration with contemporary drag artist Alex Maclachlan, named ‘The Shares’. ‘The Shares’ is an ongoing exploration of iconic comedic moments in mainstream pop culture, influences of the act so far include pop legend Cher, iconic drag queen Divine, and also Sally Fields.
The pair have plans to reimagine what culturally significant moments in TV and film throughout history would have looked like had there been more queer representation. There is a lighthearted sense behind the staging, but at its core ‘The Shares’ has a desire to reclaim spaces in cultural history that have previously excluded drag and LGBTQIA+ community members.
Photograph by Elly Welford
JingleBelles and Mistlehoes (December, 2023)
Directed by Joseph Mercier and Imogen Reeves in collaboration with Glitterbomb Dancers
Performed at Theatre Deli, Sheffield
Back To The Fuchsia II (May, 2023)
Directed by Joseph Mercier and Imogen Reeves, supported by the Northern School of Contemporary Dance
Performed at CLAY, Centre for Live Art in Yorkshire
“Drag queen Alex Maclachlan and Esme Jobey both perform as Cher and are great fun. They bring a healthy dose of campness to the show, command the stage and bounce off each other wonderfully. They are funny and both look fabulous”
Jacob Bush reviewing ‘JingleBelles and Mistlehoes’
December 16, 2023
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