About the project - Unbound Echoes, Inclusive Dance Project for Blind & Visually Impaired people
As an advocate for social justice & inclusion, Unbound Dance Theatre continues its multi-sensory creative work with Blind & Visually Impaired communities across Leeds, Bradford, Newcastle & Harrogate.
This project aims to create & advocate for greater social and cultural inclusion for Blind & VI artists, creatives and communities, with the hopes of creating cultural change & improving wellbeing, connectivity through dance. It builds upon 4 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 , Sadler's Wells & the Genesis Foundation.
Unbound Echoes is a one-year creative dance and performance project expanding Unbound's inclusive work with Blind and VI adults. Alongside a UK tour of our full-length production Fireflies at Dawn, we’ll deliver high-quality workshops and performances, broadening access and developing leadership for B/VI participants in contemporary dance, as well as mentoring emerging artists to develop their inclusive practice, building on our previous ACE and Lottery-funded programme.
Quotes from audience members
"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
CREATIVE TEAM
Choreographer: Sandrine Monin in collaboration with the performers
Performers: Helen Davies, Maddie Irwin, Mayowa Ogunnaike, Tammy Tsang, Sue Whitehouse, Catherine Shuker
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
Letters of support
Fireflies at Dawn Gallery
Pictures by Simon K. Allen
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 create an immersive & inclusive dance experience.
Educational purpose:
To inspire emerging dance practitioners and B/VI artists to develop their skills in inclusive practice, and to expand our team of trained practitioners and increase the reach of our workshops, providing them more regularly, across more locations.
Unbound Echoes 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
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.
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 & Newcastle
-Opportunities to perform at Expression, Northern Ballet Inclusivity Festival, and at NSCD research project sharing and for 3 BVI community participants to perform in full-length performances with professional dancers
Restating of Fireflies at Dawn (full-length work) with additional BVI artists
-2-week restaging process with cast of B/VI community dancers & sighted dancers, building on ACE-supported R&D and production
Performances of Fireflies at Dawn: Leeds Playhouse and Dance City ( Newcastle) in June 2026
Mentoring Programme in partnership with Northern School of Contemporary Dance:
4 to 5 students offered mentoring to develop their inclusive practice and train future Unbound practitioners.
Academic research project in partnership with Northern School of Contemporary Dance:
Deepening existing inclusive dance practice for BVI people, with a particular focus on co-creation and the use of movement and sound technology and the development of a transferable methodology for inclusive dance practice with B/VI communities.
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.