Skip Regional Dance Company information booklet

Season One

Dismantle

Cooma Little Theatre

2022

Dismantle

verb

/dɪsˈmæntl/ to take apart a structure so that it is in separate pieces

OUR STORY After seeing the effects of the pandemic within our community, I felt it was important to ignite a passion and excitement within our youth and reconnect them to our community and to each other using the performing arts as the platform. Along with my staff and a wellbeing coach, we formed a Regional Youth Dance Company with the aim to produce a theatrical piece of contemporary art and share it on stage.

Our aim is to bring a unique opportunity to youth in regional areas and to create an environment for them to explore their future in the performing arts. The intention is that our performers will walk away feeling included, confident, knowledgeable, better. They will have a new found respect for the performing arts industry but above all, they will respect their peers and themselves.

'DISMANTLE'

The first season in 2022 saw cast of SKIP develop a contemporary dance show called ‘DISMANTLE’.

During our intensive week held in January, students participated in a 'Healthy Dancer' wellbeing program. They learnt that taking something apart with the intention to re-build it stronger is a process we can use in our everyday lives. It was through this program that performance theme 'DISMANTLE' was born.

Watching our students become performers was incredible. They learned to set goals, reflect on their progress and celebrate their achievements. The show was presented on stage on the 12th February in front of a full house at Cooma Little Theatre.

As rave reviews came flooding in, we knew it needed to be showcased again. Only this time, we could have the lessons engage our youth more broadly. We are proud of what we have achieved and wish to share it.

HEALTHY DANCER PROGRAM

PRINCIPLES BACK TO BASICS The wellbeing program was designed to help students understand that the key to being happy and healthy is founded in simple building blocks that collectively help us to be the best and strongest version of ourselves.

APPLYING PERFORMANCE SKILLS TO DAY TO DAY LIFE Our aim was to create an appreciation that the skills the students used during their intensive week to prepare for their performance are the very skills needed to be healthy and balanced in life…

Focus, Attention, Discipline.

The Power of the Collective, of a team that is seamless and in sync. This is based in trust connection, communication.

Resilience. A performer needs confidence and the ability to recall and retain their routine under stress.

'My experience with Skip was truely life changing. Not only did we create an entire contemporary show in one week, I made some incredible lifelong friendships, learnt about the importance of mindfulness and wellbeing, and left feeling inspired with a whole new level of creativity. The intensive week was an absolute blast, thanks to the faculty at Skip who are so welcoming and creative. I cannot fully put into words how amazing Skip is. ' Emily, 21 years

HEALTHY DANCER PROGRAM

ELEMENTS During the five day intensive there were a range of short, sharp activities focused on bringing the students back to three interconnected elements, which were designed with the program principles in mind.

POWER OF FOCUS, ATTENTION, DISCIPLINE Activities were designed to highlight the power of the mind - how the words we use and the things we think impact how we feel and what we achieve. Other activities aimed to develop habits in focus, attention and discipline, ie. goal setting and daily reflection.

'Skip was an incredible journey! At first I didn’t think I could do a whole week of dancing but from themoment it started I loved every minute and didn’t want it to end.

Learning new choreography each day was a great challenge. The wellbeing activities filled my bucket and made me realise that I am stronger than I thought. I made new friends and finished the show feeling really proud of myself. It was SKIPTACULAR!' Alice, 11 years

POWER OF CONNECTION The activities in this element were designed to build social connection, trust, and a sense of team and belonging through shared experience. They highlighted the importance and power of communication.

POWER IN RESILIENCE This element started with a demonstration of how stress impacts what we think and feel. From there the activities were designed to help develop habits to create focus and cope with stress, for example mindfulness, reflection time/journaling, fun and laughter and creativity.

SCHOOL PROGRAMS & PERFORMANCES WEDNESDAY 8TH JUNE & THURSDAY 9TH JUNE, 2022 COOMA LITTLE THEATRE

We would like to share the performance we have created with school students, and provide an experience of the wellbeing program that the SKIP cast completed during their intensive week.

On 8 and 9 June 2022 we will be conducting three sessions based on school year groups. Year 6, 7 and 8 (and selected year 9 and 10 students) will have the opportunity to participate in a 40 minute wellbeing experience, and watch the 'DISMANTLE' performance.

This is a great opportunity for participating youth to be exposed to the performing arts in our regional area. SKIP provides opportunities to meet like minded youth, grow confidence, express themselves through music and dance and form a strong life foundation.

'I am so grateful for the incredible teachers and Kayla for giving us this opportunity.'

Eva, 14 years

'Skip was the kind of eye opening program that we don’t see enough of in regional communities. I was inspired by the level of creativity and collaboration between dance and wellbeing that was only possible through this unique opportunity' Charlie, 17 years

SEASON ONE CAST Tatum Sky, 8 years, Cooma Quinn Lawley, 9 years, Cooma Rose Murtagh Herlihy, 11 years, Jindabyne Matilda Wilson, 11 years, Cooma Zara Maxwel, 10 years, Cooma Ryan King, 11 years, Cooma Alice Fergusson, 11 years, Cooma Lirin Nassar, 11 years, Cooma Madison Papalia, 15 years, Tura Beach Kyra Reading, 13 years, Cooma Tia Quodling, 13 years, Cooma Ava Lawley, 13 years, Cooma Mistin Kidman, 13 years,Bombala Eva Burke, 14 years, Cooma Ketzia Leadbitter, 14 years, Cooma Mikayla Heward, 14 years, Bombala Charlie Paul, 16 years, Cooma Deana Headger, 17 years, Cooma Amelia Peri, 17 years, Cooma Tayla Robinson, 18 years, Cooma Emily Mills, 21 years, Cooma Tiarne Brown, 21 years, Cooma

'I enjoyed the people around me and am grateful for having the opportunity to have the best experience ever'

'An empowering and great experience for my body and mind' Deana, 17 years

Zara, 10 years

'Skip was an amazing experience. I would definitely do it again. I loved all of it ' 'Skip was super fun! I learnt new things. I was so happy to be part of it. And I love making new friends' Lirin, 10 years

'It was an amzing experience. I learn't a lot!'

Ryan, 11 years

Matilda, 10 years