UNBOUND DANCE THEATRE
Unbound Dance Theatre is a Community Interest Company that aims to liberate lives through movement. The company’s mission is to champion inclusivity, connection and expression. Rooted in their work with the blind and visually impaired community, their commitment is to break down barriers and nurture a dance culture where everyone feels recognised, valued and free to express themselves fully.
About the project - Feathers, Inclusive Dance Project for Blind & Visually Impaired people
As an advocate for social justice & inclusion, Unbound Dance Theatre continues its multi-sensory creative project working with Blind & Visually Impaired communities across Leeds, Bradford, London & Harrogate.
This project aims to create & advocate for greater social and cultural inclusion for Blind & VI artists, creatives and communities, with the hopes to create cultural change & improve wellbeing, connectivity & performance work that is developed. It builds upon 2 years' research & practice development into making dance more accessible for B/VI people by Sandrine Monin –Unbound Dance Theatre's Artistic Director– supported by ACE & Genesis Foundation.
Primary purpose:
To foster inclusivity, promote connections & break down barriers to dance for B/VI community. We aim to enrich lives of B/VI individuals by offering them opportunities to engage in dance activities & performances, that enhance their physical & mental well-being, create meaningful connections & sense of belonging
Creative & Cultural Idea
To reveal sensitively B/VI people’s lived experiences -emotional & sensory- through dance as well as exploring human fears & how we can conquer them through connection to find freedom. By using innovative methods -embedded audio-description, wearable technology- we aim to create an immersive & inclusive dance experience
Feathers strives to make a significant difference in several areas:
Accessibility
-broaden access to dance for B/VI audience
-provide inclusive space for B/VI people to express themselves physically & emotionally
Connection/Empathy
Dance has the power to connect people on a profound level.
Through the project, we hope to enhance empathy & understanding between sighted & B/VI communities
Mental Health/Well-being
The project addresses the isolation & apprehension experienced by B/VI people
We aim to offer a safe & supportive environment
Key steps of the project:
Community Engagement providing opportunities for B/VI participants to explore dance
-Continue engagement with existing B/VI groups
-Extend outreach to new people & areas
-Deliver 30+ workshops in Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate & London
-2 opportunities to perform at Yorkshire Dance Symposium & Expression, Northern Ballet Inclusivity Festival
Audio-Description (AD) Research:
-2-week AD R&D at Sadler's Wells in collaboration with B/VI & sighted dancers
-Work with voice actor & AD expert exploring innovative ways to use AD, performers' voices & sound to make performances more immersive/accessible
Symposium at Yorkshire Dance & live-streamed, sharing project themes with a wider audience:
-Community performance by workshop participants
-Sharing of Sadler’s R&D findings
-Sharing research & practice from previous DYCP
-Guest speakers on inclusivity, consent, safe practices, technology
-B/VI community dancers' experiences
-Official launch of CIC Unbound Dance Theatre
Creation - Fireflies at Dawn (full-length work)
-3-week creation process with cast of B/VI community dancers & sighted dancers, building on ACE-supported R&D
-Collaboration with creative team: composer, writer, dramaturg & lighting designer to create a high-quality & innovative work
Performances: Alhambra Studio (Bradford), Slung Low (Leeds) and CAPA College (Wakefield)
Step into the depths of darkness with us, where every step is a dance of connection.
Fireflies at Dawn invites you to embark on a journey of discovery, where emotions take flight and senses awaken to the soft rustle of wings.
This enchanting dance theatre piece weaves together the threads of inclusivity and self-expression, exploring the richness of our shared humanity and the strength found in our search for connection. This delicate interplay of sound and motion invites you to discover the lived experience of blind and visually impaired people and to pay attention to how we connect to our senses, ourselves and others. Witness the power of vulnerability in this emotional and sensory show.
Co-created and performed by visually impaired and sighted dancers, Fireflies at Dawn continues the company’s investigation into how and why we move and dance. The show uses embedded audio description, sounds, lights and touch as well as innovative new wearable technology, echome – to enhance movement perceptions for both performers and audiences alike.
CREATIVE TEAM
Choreographer: Sandrine Monin in collaboration with the performers
Performers: Helen Davies, Maddie Irwin, Mayowa Ogunnaike, Tammy Tsang, Sue Whitehouse
Composer: Roberto D. Rusconi & Ryan Rusconi
Sound and Movement Interaction Dramaturgy: Maria Kapsali
Lighting Designer & technician: Luke Haywood
Audio Description Consultant: Vicky Ackroyd
Writing & Script Consultant: Andy Craven Griffiths & Paul Dunphy
Producer: Joanna Jowett
External Evaluator: Louise McDowall
"The thought, energy and forward thinking of the choreography was ground-breaking in a world of darkness. I was moved to tears as something said sparked total recognition inside me. The dancers, both sighted and visually impaired were fabulous. Moving without constraints and with such freedom."
Audience member, Bradford
"This excellent , enlightening performance should be shown across so many platforms as it is honest, deep and shows the trauma, happiness and real lives of those with visual impairments."
Audience member, Bradford
A wonderful concept, beautifully delivered by a group of very genuine performers. They and the story conveyed so much about the emotions and issues felt not just by blind/VI people but by people who find themselves outside 'the norms' of the world.
Audience member, Leeds
Learning, Reflections & Challenges
The project enhanced our understanding of inclusivity for B/VI dance participants and their needs. Travel expenses were crucial for participant engagement. Collaboration with access support workers clarified their role, highlighting the need for explicit job descriptions and accountability.
Counselling support was beneficial but should be introduced from the start, with increased sessions for B/VI individuals to address their unique psychological needs. Director support is vital due to the emotional toll of managing the group’s safety.
We faced conflicts in addressing varying needs and found the symposium's schedule too tight. Future events should allow more time for tech rehearsals, emotional prep, and troubleshooting. A dedicated event manager would help Sandrine focus on the groups.
For scenes requiring direction changes, having an extra person to assist B/VI dancers would be helpful. Additional prep time and clearer rehearsal protocols are needed since community members may be unfamiliar with standard practices.
Working inclusively became challenging under tight deadlines. We must establish time frames that allow regular check-ins without stalling progress. Fundraising alongside project delivery proved difficult; more dedicated time and staff support for fundraising is essential to run alongside future projects.
Unexpected Outcomes
The tools developed for B/VI dance classes received positive feedback, establishing us as leaders in this area. We’ve had inquiries from dance students and professionals seeking to learn from our approach.
Our sensitivity training reached broader dance organizations than anticipated. The symposium garnered an incredibly positive response, indicating potential for annual events and a desire for a wider program focusing on inclusivity and access in dance.
Fireflies at Dawn Gallery
Pictures by Simon K. Allen
