25 Jul 2024
Jolt, a pioneer of innovative, inclusive dance practice in Ōtautahi Christchurch, will represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the Gathered Together Festival in Glasgow from 4 to 7 September 2024.
Jolt will participate in the biennial International Inclusive Dance Festival – Gathered Together, hosted by Indepen-dance at Tramway in Glasgow, with funding support through Creative New Zealand.
Jolt will present “Whakapapa”, a performance piece that tells the stories of six Jolt dancers. The team will also deliver a workshop on Jolt techniques and a presentation on its ground-breaking Move Programme, a unique approach to dance teacher training for people with intellectual disabilities.
Jolt has pioneered innovative, inclusive dance practice since 2001 with programmes that challenge mainstream perspectives about dance, disability and difference by exploring movements and connections that are artistically unique.
“Whakapapa” shares the stories of six dancers with intellectual disabilities: Joel Forman, Jokani Coe, Robert Sopoaga, Jono Bennett, Jacob Levington and Lachlan Oakes. Each story explores ideas of identity and connection to culture, history and ancestors through dance, text and film.
Jacob Levington speaks to his family tree through personal tributes while Lachlan Oakes shares his passion for aeroplanes and the freedom of flight. Jokani Coe’s piece, “There is a Mountain inside my Head”, remembers his connection to the mountains in Rarotonga. Joel Forman’s piece tells the story of his great great grandmother Hana Kai Kai and his own story of his two whānau – his adopted Pākehā whānau and his reconnection to his birth Māori whānau.
Robert Sopoaga and Jono Bennett are unable to travel to Glasgow and will share their stories through film. Jono’s story, “The Tree”, was developed in Jolt’s writers’ workshops in 2022 and shares memories of his mother. Robert Sopoaga’s Siva (Samoan dance) highlights the mana of the performers, and the importance of cultural identity and community
Jolt dancers are supported on stage by dancer Aleasha Seaward and actor Renée Ryan.
All the performers in “Whakapapa” are also Move-trained teachers. Alongside their performance in Glasgow, they will share Jolt’s unique approach to leadership and inclusive teaching.
“The skills I bring as a teacher are different,” says Lachlan Oakes, Move trainee and “Whakapapa” performer. “Sometimes as a teacher you do need to push people out of their comfort zones but still make sure they feel safe.”
Move trainees demonstrate not only their capacity for leadership but also their ability to connect with diverse communities and engage them in dance.
Artistic Director of Indepen-dance Karen Anderson is delighted to welcome Jolt to the 5th Gathered Together Festival “Our festival shines a light on disabled dance artists from across the World. Jolt dance company members will present their dance performance on the iconic stage in Tramway as well as sharing their skills and knowledge in inclusive dance practice with the festival delegates.”
“Whakapapa” was first performed at Off Centre, a festival held at The Arts Centre (Ōtautahi) in March 2023 and has been presented in Christchurch at high schools, day service providers, for Vaka Tautua, Ngā Hau e Wha and at Hakatere Marae Matariki Celebrations.
A preview performance of “Whakapapa” will be presented at The Piano in Ōtautahi on Tuesday 20 August at 7pm. Door sales and pay what you can (cash only).
Media Queries:
Iona McNaughton
Communications Manager
iona.mcnaughton@artsaccess.org.nz
CATEGORIES: Arts accessibility Latest news and blog
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