Blog - London
I Dream of Movement
April 15, 2019 - by Step Change StudiosRashmi Becker, Founder of UK-based Step Change Studios has been spending time in New York looking at international approaches to integrated and community dance. She was recently welcomed to the National Dance Institute to learn about its free dance programme DREAM, which serves dancers ages 8 to 14 with disabilities. Here she ...
Defiant Journey – Scratch Performance, London, 11th April
April 4, 2019 - by Jo-anne CoxRaucous red, vibrant orange, enshrouded in midnight blue. From the dark recesses, Dragon transmits a powerful and protective veil of sound and colour. Outside, ever-multiplying, plagues of recovery model robots and care company mercenaries lie in wait... A ground-breaking inclusive electric cello experience by Jo-anne Cox, a contemporary composer and DAO ...
Volunteering: Gaining from Giving
April 4, 2019 - by Step Change StudiosVolunteers play a vital role in the arts. Without them, many activities would not happen. Across the UK there are around 63,000 voluntary arts groups, regularly involving more than 10 million people participating voluntarily in cultural activities*. Step Change Studios works with volunteers who support its inclusive dance activity. Its volunteers ...
Audio Lighting with Charles Matthews
March 19, 2019 - by Jo-anne CoxDrawing all the elements of my project together for a test performance next month, is challenging. Luckily I have such excellent project management and access support from Foteini Galanopoulou. Tactile sound, stage lighting, audience interactive lighting, cello reactive lighting, assistive music technology, dance ribbons, story. Yes it will all be ready ...
Jess Thom: Embody the change you want to see you in the work you are making
March 14, 2019 - by Colin HambrookThere's a bit of a revolution going down at the Battersea Arts Centre. The recent Rest & Resistance festival, curated by Jess Thom and Touretteshero, was the beginning of a new inclusive approach being spearheaded by the arts centre to considering what it means to be a relaxed venue. To give ...
‘Surroundings’ Blog No 2
March 4, 2019 - by Ivan RichesMy ACE (Arts Council England) supported R&D (research and development) project ‘Surroundings’ is uncovering some fascinating, evocative and highly emotional stories, experiences and opinions from my volunteer interviewees. The difference between my original vision for how the interviews might pan out and what is actually happening, is as unexpected as ...
Let’s Dance! Supporting people with complex disabilities to explore their creativity
January 25, 2019 - by Step Change StudiosStep Change Studios' inclusive dance practitioner Abigail Jackson shares her experience of leading a sensory-based dance movement programme in East London, in partnership with Sense Charity. I work as a Dance Practitioner at Step Change Studios, which is an inclusive dance company that provides opportunities for people with multiple disabilities to ...
The Inheritance (or writing that epic play)
January 22, 2019 - by Gary ThomasIt's taken me a while to write out my thoughts on The Inheritance (which ran at London’s Noel Coward Theatre until 19th January 2019 and was written by Matthew Lopez & directed by Stephen Daldry.) I think when a ton of people say something is so brilliant and it is, it ...
Please don’t think I’m mad
January 17, 2019 - by Wendy YoungPlease don't think I'm mad That my eyes are staring it's just that i want to hear everything you say scared of distraction if i don't look at you - my mind wanders - i don't want you to think i'm unaware i value your time listening - talking i need to look into your eyes i know it's embarrassing - ...
Wheelchair Tango: UK-Turkey Collaboration
December 11, 2018 - by Step Change StudiosMehmet Arik is a professional Basketball player and wheelchair dancer from Turkey. He has teamed up with Step Change Studios Dance Practitioner and Tango expert Anna Alvarez to share their passion for Tango with international audiences. The collaboration kicked off with a unique inclusive Tango workshop hosted by Step Change ...