Unbound Dance Theatre
Annual Review 23/24
What a year it has been!
November 2023 marked the birth of Unbound Dance Theatre — with one vision: to liberate lives through movement.
Over the past twelve months, we’ve danced, created and facilitated conversations, bringing our mission to life in ways we could only dream of.
This review is a celebration and also a moment to reflect on everything we’ve accomplished: performances that moved audiences, collaborations that pushed boundaries and a community that has supported and inspired us every step of the way.
​The year in numbers...
662
Audience reached
397
Workshop participants
(community, dance students, professionals)
22
Freelancers emloyed
£68,580
fundraised
(Arts Council England, The National Lottery Community Fund, Leeds Inspired, Sadler's Wells, Kala Sangam Arts Centre, Bradford 25 x Unlimited)
Creative Output
One of our proudest achievements this year was the creation of Unbound Dance Theatre’s first full-length show, co-created and performed by a cast of blind, visually impaired and sighted dancers. The work was performed at Kala Sangam (Bradford), Slung Low (Leeds), and CAPA College (Wakefield).
Each performance included a post-show conversation, giving audiences and performers a chance to connect, share insights, and reflect on the creative process.
“[Dancing with Unbound] has given me the confidence to engage with a different level of bravery. That's because I'm more aware of who I am and less worried about making a mistake. So it's an emotional change, it's a mental change, and it's certainly a physical change.” ​
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Helen Davies, Performer and Unbound Board Director
What the audience had to say...
"It was genuinely a rollercoaster of emotions watching the show."
"The thought, energy and forward thinking of the choreography was groundbreaking in a world of darkness."
"It was a truly impactful piece. Unforgettable for me. It was beautifully and sensitively done."
Research & Dissemination
In April 2024, Unbound Dance Theatre launched at the Shifting Perspectives Symposium. This event not only introduced our inclusive work and creative practices but also served as a platform for dialogue and innovation. Guest speakers and collaborators shared pioneering insights on topics including consent, emotional safety in creative practice, inclusivity, and the integration of sound technology.
“An inspirational, thought provoking event. Sandrine created a welcoming, comfortable environment. The dance pieces were beautiful, and every speaker was compelling and raised a lot of new thoughts on dance practice and accessibility.”
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Audience member
Workshops & Engagement
34 Workshops for Blind & Visually Impaired people
151 community participants
from Leeds, Bradford, London & Harrogate
17 Industry Workshops
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146 young dancers and professionals in Leeds, Birmingham & Nottingham
9 Blindness Awareness & Sensitivity Training Sessions​
>100 participants, commissioned by organisations including BBC (Strictly Come Dancing)
2 Community Performances
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as part of the Shifting Perspectives Symposium and Northern Ballet Expression Festival
“I feel so much better in my physical and mental self.”
"It was a magical workout for me today. Really enjoyed myself, thank you Sandrine for making my imagination run wild."
“This [dance workshop] should be prescribed to anyone who gets diagnosed with sight impairment.”
“You reminded me of my power and that I can do much more than I thought.”
Looking ahead, Unbound Dance Theatre is excited to continue to grow and pursue new opportunities following this incredible first year. We are proud to have secured funding to continue to run workshops for blind and visually impaired participants in Leeds, through to Summer 2025.
As we become Associate Artist with the University of Leeds, we aim to deepen our research into technology and develop innovative approaches to inclusive practice.
We remain committed to delivering industry training to promote greater inclusivity in dance. Additionally, we’re planning for our next tour of "Fireflies at Dawn" and starting to think about new creative projects that will further push boundaries and inspire audiences.
The journey continues, and we’re excited to share it with you.
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Thank you for all your support!
And finally, a huge thank you to our funders and supporters, without whom our work would not be possible
