Special Focus on Breaking Barriers Critical Mass hits Birmingham! In conversation with the BalletBoyz Win tickets to Akram Khan’s new work!
Health and Wellbeing New info sheet: Considering Difference Giovanni Pernice’s new approach Safeguarding 16-24 year olds
Industry and Education Dance and environmental sustainability Global representation in education Dance at HE success stories The One Dance UK Magazine Issue 12, Spring 2022
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Andrew Hurst MBE Chief Executive, One Dance UK
Dear members and friends, As spring arrives, we are delighted to be able to plan in-person activity with much more certainty. We are excited to be returning to a live U.Dance National Festival this summer, to be held in the Commonwealth Games city of Birmingham, which will be alive with community dance through the Critical Mass programme. Go to page 11 to hear from those involved. We also have an exciting season of dance of the African Diaspora upskilling activity this year, to be held both in person and online (page 46). BBC Dance Passion returned in February with special screenings on BBC4 and online, so we extend huge thanks to all of the partners who made this unique celebration of UK dance possible. There is still time to check out the hub programmes, and specially-commissioned dance films and interactive projects (page 28). This issue of One is themed ‘Breaking Barriers’ and it is wonderful to see dance opportunities
progressively being opened up to more people. This is highlighted by the recent success of deaf dancer Rose Ayling-Ellis on Strictly Come Dancing, broadcast to millions of homes, and you can find insight from her partner Giovanni Pernice on page 20. One Dance UK continues to champion inclusivity, and the health and wellbeing of everyone who dances. The team and our project partners have conducted some brilliant research which we’re sharing as guidelines around considering differences for dance settings (page 23) and safeguarding younger dancers (page 50). The Decolonising the Dance Curriculum Roundtable partners have also produced resources for teachers wanting to teach global majority dance (page 40). Wherever you are, however you dance, we are here to support you and advocate on your behalf. We send you our warmest wishes for 2022 and look forward to (re)connecting in person at a member event soon.
In This Issue
We would like to thank the expert contributors who have been involved in this issue of One
Richard Chappell Page 30 Richard Chappell is an internationally renowned choreographer and is Artistic Director of Richard Chappell Dance. Through annual programmes, the company creates work at the forefront of theatre, interdisciplinary collaboration, film and site responsive performance. He is currently an Associate Artist at Exeter Northcott. Richard has created works for leading dance companies and theatres worldwide, guest lectured at various renowned institutions and developed extensive programmes for community participation and artist development.
Shobana Jeyasingh CBE Page 40 Shobana Jeyasingh is an internationally recognised choreographer and Artistic Director of Shobana Jeyasingh Dance. She has created over 60 critically acclaimed works for diverse platforms including stage, screen and unconventional public spaces. Her work is noted for both its intellectual rigour and its visceral physicality. Over the course of a distinguished career, Shobana has collaborated with scientists, gallery curators, composers, film makers, digital creatives as well as dancers and designers to make bold multi-disciplinary work.
Cath Sykes Page 50 Cath works with the Ann Craft Trust and has been working with children, young people and adults in the voluntary and community sector for over 25 years. She has worked in youth governance, participation, training and safeguarding managing national initiatives for the sector. Cath now specialises in adult safeguarding with the aim to support, develop and raise awareness so that all participants of sport are in a safe and inclusive environment.
The One Dance UK Magazine | Spring 2022 3
Photos: Top: A Ayuso, Left: Robert Robinson, Centre: JP Masclet, Right: Ann Craft Trust
Welcome
Contents 3 Welcome by Andrew Hurst MBE 5 Reader Competition: WIN TICKETS to Akram Khan’s new production Jungle Book reimagined! In the Spotlight 6 News 8 One Dance UK Awards 10 Special Feature: Dance at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games 16 One Dance UK Membership: Member Q&A with Renee Cohen Special Focus on Breaking Barriers 19 Introduction by Jazlyn Pinckney, Head of Workforce Development 20 (Quick)Step Towards Inclusion by Laura Nicholson 23 One Dance UK Information Sheet: Considering Difference by Jess Lowe, Erin Sanchez, Katie Stevens and Barny Darnell 28 Dance Passion 2022 Has Arrived! 30 Higher Education: Developing Skills for Life by Amy Williams with Richard Chappell and Laura Kriefman 32 Animated Dance: Behind the Screen by Dani Bower with Encanto’s Jamal Sims and Kai Martinez 33 The Boyz are Back by Cameron Ball with Balletboyz’ Michael Nunn and William Trevitt 36 Environmental Responsibility in the Dance Sector by Chloe Sprackling 38 Breakin’ Through by Barny Darnell with Break Mission’s David ‘Footloose’ Russell and Michael ‘Silence’ Glasgow 40 Representation in Dance Education (RIDE) Resource by Jo Gatenby with Mohika Shankar, Kashish Gaba, Shobana Jeyasingh CBE and Monica Ande 43 Acknowledging Black Excellence in Dance by Tamar Dixon 46 Responding to Needs by Jazlyn Pinckney 48 Emerging into a New Normality by Maria Kolitsida 50 Creating Safer Cultures for 16-24 Year Olds by Cath Sykes and Tracy Witney 52 Try, Balance and Joy with DanceEast and Russell Maliphant Dance Company by Stella Eldon, Claire Farmer, Helen Laws and Jeanette Siddall 54 Youth Dancers: Breaking Barriers and Crossing Borders with DU Dance by Dr Aoife McGrath and Dr Victoria Durrer Cut-Out Resource for Teachers 55 Critical Mass: Exploring Creative Tasks and Ideas by Alexandra Henwood, Zoie Golding and Anna Belyavin 57 U.Dance 2022 58 Book Reviews — Successful Artists Mean Business by Tomorr Kokona, review by Cameron Ball — Periodization: A Framework for Dance Training by Prof. Matthew Wyon and Gaby Allard, review by Dr Sarah Needham-Beck
Front Cover: Rebecca Fowler is a member of Freewheelin’, Team England ParaCheer Hip Hop World Champion 20117/18 and a Para Dance UK National Champion 2018/19. She is taking part in Critical Mass 2022 with Freewheelin’ - hear from her on page 12. R: Rebecca Fowler with Katie Stevens Both photos by Dani Bower for One Dance UK 4 The One Dance UK Magazine | Spring 2022
Editorial and Advertising Lara Coffey Head of Marketing and Communications Cameron Ball Magazine Editor Katie Stevens Assistant Editor Advertising enquiries Contact Amelia Bickley amelia.bickley@onedanceuk.org Funders and Supporters With thanks to our funders
We thank our generous project partners, funder and supporters. For further information, go to: www.onedanceuk.org/ support-us/thank-you Design tm-studio.co.uk
Reader Competition
WIN TICKETS to the new production of Akram Khan’s Jungle Book reimagined
Akram Khan Company will present the new production of Akram Khan’s new work, Jungle Book reimagined – a deeply personal interpretation based on the original story of Rudyard Kipling’s muchloved family classic – at Leicester’s Curve Theatre, 2–9 April 2022. A UK and international tour will follow, taking in places including France, Spain, Korea and Portugal.
In a near future world, a family is torn apart as they escape their homeland, devastated by the impact of climate change. Arriving alone in a deserted modern city, and with wild animals claiming the streets as their own, the child soon discovers unlikely allies in this strange new jungle. Embedded in the roots of Kipling’s The Jungle Book is the deep threat that mankind poses towards nature. In this new dance-theatre production,
Khan and his team reinvent the journey of Mowgli through the eyes of a climate refugee. Featuring an original new score, ten international dancers and state-ofthe-art animation and visuals, Jungle Book reimagined is a compelling and vital piece of storytelling about our intrinsic need to belong and bond with others, placing the importance of connecting with and respecting our natural world at its heart.
“I believe that we must make changes from the grassroots up if we are to see a brighter future. And so I feel compelled to share the story – lovingly known as The Jungle Book – with children and adults from all cultures, in order to re-learn what we, as a species, have so conveniently forgotten. I believe that the strongest and deepest way to tell this story is through the magic of dance, music and theatre.” Akram Khan
One pair of tickets to this new production are on offer to a lucky winner. One Dance UK Members receive two entries per submission, doubling your chance to win! Tickets are valid for the performance on Monday 4 April at 7pm at Curve, Leicester. To enter: EITHER email info@onedanceuk.org with your name OR comment on the competition post on the One Dance UK Facebook or Instagram page (@onedanceuk)
Photo: Ambra Vernuccio
Entries close 30 March 2022 For further information about the company and the production, go to www.akramkhancompany.net Terms and conditions apply. Go to www.onedanceuk.org/terms-and-conditions for details. The One Dance UK Magazine | Spring 2022 5
In the Spotlight
News Conversations with Carers Rashmi Becker MBE, founder of Step Change Studios, has been having professional and personal conversations with carers throughout her life. Having worked in social care, and being guardian to her disabled brother, she is acutely aware of the realities of care work. The pandemic has further exacerbated the exhausting, isolating pressures carers face on a daily basis. Rashmi was struck by how many colleagues in the arts were either working in social care or as unpaid carers, and struggling to cope. While carers advocate for people they support, their own health and wellbeing is often neglected. This motivated her to create a project called Conversations with Carers, which connects care, compassion and creativity by giving voice to carers’ lived experience. The work is supported using public funding by Arts Council England. Conversations with Carers explores what it means to care, through a series of podcasts and articles. This then inspired five short dance films drawing on themes from carers’ experience, performed by disabled Dancers Max Cookward & Annie-Rose Grantham
and non-disabled dancers. The project also includes a series of free, respite dance sessions for carers in partnership with Carers UK. Rashmi said: “I have found Conversations with Carers thoughtprovoking and moving. Having the time, space and most importantly the permission to talk honestly is critical for carers. In the podcasts and articles, carers reflect on the low value that society places on caring. They talk about feeling invisible, and the physical, emotional, and financial strains that can become overwhelming. “Taking the words and themes from these conversations and expressing them artistically through dance has been a hugely positive experience. Artists in the dance films include carers, and each film begins with the words of carers. I hope that Conversations with Carers, in all its forms will encourage people to reflect on how we support and recognise carers.”
Further information www.stepchangestudios.com/conversations
Young Creatives 2022 The One Dance UK Young Creatives programme has got off to a flying start for 2022, with not one but two cohorts seizing the opportunity to develop their choreographic practice. Our Year 1 cohort have attended online workshops with choreographer of Six! the Musical Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, Sadler’s Wells Young Associate Vidya Patel and dance artist and filmmaker Jo Cork. Along with the support and guidance of Creative Lead Rhian Robbins, each practitioner brought different experiences and ideas to equip our young choreographers with a vast creative toolkit. For the first time since 2020 we were able to host our Year 2 Launch Event in person at Dance Hub, Birmingham, where we announced Kate Flatt OBE, Liam Francis, Vidya Patel and Joseph Toonga as choreographic mentors for the 2022 programme! Creative Lead Sarah Dowling delivered an inspiring creative workshop, after which each mentor led a choreographic task and offered an insight into their own practice. The work produced will be showcased at a live event at Midlands Arts Centre (mac) in Birmingham on 19 June.
Photos: Left: John Trigg, Right: One Dance UK
Young Creatives with mentors
Further information www.bit.ly/YoungCreatives1
6 The One Dance UK Magazine | Spring 2022
In the Spotlight
A roundup of some of the latest industry news Find more at www.onedanceuk.org/news Member Led Networks – Jazz Theatre Arts UK
Free Healthcare Taster Screenings in April!
Jazz Theatre Arts UK (JTA.UK) has been established as a Member Led Network in partnership with One Dance UK. This network of sector professionals and students provides an essential platform to advocate for and develop visibility of UK jazz theatre arts and jazz practice in all its forms. One Dance UK supports JTA.UK in working towards achieving the success of desired outcomes and meets regularly to articulate the needs of the practice. JTA.UK aims to host community forums to exchange dialogue directly with funders and the dance sector. Keep an eye on One Dance UK’s communications channels for updates and to take part. JTA.UK also offers artist development, jazz education, support and resources, news, views and so much more! Join the conversation by following the links below.
Next month, One Dance UK, in partnership with the National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science (NIDMS), will be running the next FREE Performance Optimisation Package taster screening days. These sessions are an opportunity to get advice from dance-specialist physiotherapists and fitness experts, and to learn more about your body and the healthcare services available to you, whether you are a freelancer, a student, or a recent graduate. Our next taster day will be taking place on 4 April in London (at Trinity Laban Dance Faculty) and on 8 April in the West Midlands (at the University of Wolverhampton, Walsall Campus). Spaces are limited. Book your free place now by contacting hdp@onedanceuk.org.
Further information Follow JTA.UK on Instagram and Facebook: @jazztheatreartsuk
Further information To learn more about our Performance Optimisation Packages, go to the One Dance UK website where you can check out our new video resources, and read what others are saying about POP! www.bit.ly/POPfordancers
Let’s Dance International Frontiers 2022
Photo: Rachel Neville
By Pawlet Brookes MBE, Artistic Director, Serendipity – Institute for Black Arts and Heritage
with a musical score by the awardwinning composer, Philip Herbert and Ballet Hispánico two choreographic interpretations from Monique Jonas and Thomas Talawa Prestø with Tabanka Dance Ensemble (shared on 30 April). It is a full programme with new work from six artists for Signatures and Black British Dance Platform, Yinka Esi Graves and Maya Taylor return with an installation and site-specific performance, an LDIF+ masterclass Let’s Dance International Frontiers something in the moment that cannot programme, a series of roundtable conversations for Dance Dialogues, (LDIF) is taking place in Leicester from be replicated. Dancers respond to and our annual conference. This 29 April – 8 May, this year exploring the stage they are performing on, the is the first year the festival will be the theme In Situ: Responding to Space, audience they are performing to, the taking to the main stage at Curve Place, People and Time. Over city they are performing in. LDIF22 and we can’t think of a better the last two years LDIF has taken will be a predominantly live, in place online. Restrictions, however, person, festival recognising that access company than Ballet Hispánico for this occasion (6-7 May). have shifted the landscape of is an extremely important integral LDIF22 amplifies voices from the performance; dancers have taken element. The programme includes to the streets to dance, they have Let’s Dance in the City, an opportunity to African and African Caribbean as an taken classes in their kitchens and showcase work in situ and with JOMBA! exchange that welcomes everyone. As the sector begins to recover, we bedrooms. The theme was inspired Both will be available online. hope people will come out, support by considering how dance inhabits We launch as usual on 29 April, and see some amazing dance. different spaces and how knowledge International Dance Day, with is embodied through dance. Artincidence and a new commission, Further information LDIF takes place 29 April-8 May 2022 Sharing physical space creates Siren Calls: To an Illusive Journey, See the programme and book: www.serendipity-uk.com The One Dance UK Magazine | Spring 2022 7
onedanceuk.org/one-dance-uk-awards
Special Feature: A Celebration of Dance
A Celebration of Dance
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is taking place this summer and to celebrate, a 6-month long cultural festival is held across the city. The aim to engage at least 2.5 million audience members and participants across the cultural festival is being met through a wide range of creative activity, with dance playing its part. The celebrations begin in March with the opening of the Cultural Festival. Wondrous Stories is created and directed by Motionhouse’s Kevin Finnan MBE with choreography from Sonia Sabri and Jamaal Burkmar and is performed by a mix of professional and community dancers. From here the dance content ramps up, including Critical Mass, a unique dance collective, performing at a range of exciting events. Read about the Critical Mass project on page 14. In the following pages we hear from members of the dance community of the West Midlands who share their passion for the region’s dance scene and what they hope the legacy of the Games will offer.
Photo: Doug Peters
Birmingham 2022 Festival
10 The One Dance UK Magazine | Spring 2022
Special Feature: A Celebration of Dance
A message from Corey Baker Choreographer of the Opening Ceremony, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
Corey Baker “I’m honoured to be choreographing the Opening Ceremony of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022. My first ever commission as a choreographer was in Birmingham a decade ago, so for me it’s even more exciting to pay homage to the city I call my creative home. The real strength of the 2022 Commonwealth Games is the culture of inclusivity, so it’s vital for us that the Opening Ceremony reflects this too. Our show will include a wide range of performers who make Birmingham an exciting, vibrant and culturally diverse city.
Kevin Finnan MBE
Photos: Top: Courtesy Corey Baker Dance, Left: Kevin Richardson, Right: Motionhouse
Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Motionhouse, Creator and Director of Wondrous Stories Leamington Spa www.motionhouse.co.uk
“The Birmingham 2022 Festival will give us the opportunity to showcase the great developments in dance in the West Midlands. The sector saw fantastic growth over the years prior to the pandemic and I hope this will be the kickstarter that we all need on the return from Covid and get us back on the track that we were all pursuing before the pandemic. There’s a great commitment in the festival to ensuring that there is dance for all, with a really positive approach to truly inclusive performance by integrated casts with a broad range of identities and backgrounds working as one. The Critical Mass initiative exemplifies this. I was very proud of the achievements of the 2012 Paralympics Opening Ceremony, and it’s great to see that there is the will to continue this work. I am delighted that Motionhouse, as a dance-circus company, has been chosen to open the Birmingham 2022 Festival with Wondrous Stories. It demonstrates what companies can achieve and I’m excited by the challenge.”
We have a fantastic cast of over 2000 performers from all over the local region, ready to share the incredible stories about Birmingham’s past and present. As well as our extraordinary volunteer cast, drawn from the communities of Birmingham, the Opening Ceremony will feature many spectacular specialist dancers, local independent dance artists, puppeteers, parkour artists, stunt performers and so much more! To bring all these elements together for such a huge collaborative event doesn’t happen often and it’s such a joy to be able to help facilitate this adventure and make the experience something everyone involved will be proud of for years to come.”
Sonia Sabri Artistic Director Sonia Sabri Company Birmingham www.ssco.org.uk
“As Birmingham is one of the largest dance hubs in the UK and 2022 marks the 20th anniversary of Sonia Sabri Company, I’m very excited to have been invited to help choreograph Wondrous Stories. I’m one of only two Associate Choreographers and am looking forward to helping the city step on to an international stage which, in turn, will help showcase the rich and diverse dance offer we have in Birmingham and the West Midlands. The Games can certainly help raise the profile of dance companies and female choreographers in the region to encourage talent to remain within Birmingham and the West Midlands. Following on from the Commonwealth Games, Sonia Sabri Company will be presenting a preview of its new outdoor production including a culmination of arts work created by women from the underserved and underrepresented communities of South Birmingham. The company will also be making a new dance show with live music to tour nationally and internationally. We feel that it is important that the Games leave a legacy for arts in the region to continue to support local talent and encourage young people to visit venues, see live music and dance performances, attend workshops and classes to expand their horizons and benefit them mentally and physically.”
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