LightSteps

AperformancepieceforchildrenandtheirfamiliesTourPack

“LightStepstakesyoungaudiencesintothemagicalworldofcolour,musicandinteractivedance.”

Linktopromotionalvideo:Forbookingsormoreinformation:CompanyWeb-site:LightSteppromo(4mins):https://vimeo.com/120412780TerryAdams:Tourmanagerwww.dancingstrong.comterry@anonymousarts.co.ukInschools&community(4mins):https://vimeo.com/120412515Tel:+447782279191

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LightStepsisa45minutemusic&danceperformancesuitableforsmall-scalevenues,festivals,schoolsandsite-specificlocations.Alex,anendearingragdoll,iswokenbythemorninglighttoexploreadaypunctuatedbypointsasthesuntravelsacrossthesky.Beginningwiththemorninglight,followedbysomethingflyingbyinthemidmorning,thenacloudoverheadinthemid-daysky,thetidecominginintheafternoonandfinallyabeautifulsunset,Alex’sdayisanadventureincolour,musicanddance.Alex’sdayisoverseenbyfourguardian-angels/friends(dancers&musician)whoseetherealmovements,musicanddancemirrorAlex’sfeelings,experiencesandinquisitiveness.AsoundtracktoAlex’sexploitsisprovidedbyaprofoundlybeautifullivemusicalcompositionreflectingthevariousstagesoftheday’slight.Thisdanceandmusicperformancepieceismadeforchildrenandtheirfamiliestoenjoycolour,movementandmusic.Therearepointsthroughouttheperformancewheretheaudienceisinvitedtojoinin.Childrenareencouragedtobethemselves.

“…welovethechildren’sinvolvementandthemovementofbothdancersandfabric…”(Parentaudiencemember)

"…Ilikedthewavesandthedolls.Ifeellikeadancernow!"(Childaudiencemember)

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TOURINGINFORMATION:performances&workshops:Light-Stepscanbedeliveredasabespokeprojectthatencompassestheresidenciesandworkshopsfollowedbyaperformance,orasasingleperformanceorasstandaloneworkshop.

Performance:Light-Stepscanbepresentedasastand-alone45minuteperformancepieceadaptedtobeperformedwithinvarioussettingsincludingtraditionaltheatrespaces,non-traditionalspaces,galleries,atFestivals,inmuseumsorasasitespecificevent.Ithasminimumtechnicalrequirements.Theperformancetouringteamconsistsofthreedancers,onemusicianandastagemanager.

Workshop:Workshopshavebeendesignedtobebespoke,drawingonthethemesoftheproduction,(movement,light,colour,andmomentsintime).Workshopsareflexibleandcanbeofferedasresidencies,outreach,oreducationalworkshopsinmuseums,schools,communityhalls&/ortheatrelocations.Durationofworkshopsis20-40minutes.(Residenciesaretwotofivedays).Sessionsaresuitableforupto20children.Atleastoneadultsupportworkerfromthecommissioningorganizationwillberequiredtobepresentthroughouttheworkshop.

Fees*

Singleperformance:£500

Twoperformancesonthesamedayatthesamelocation:£800

Performance&workshoponsameday:£600

Singleworkshops:£300-£500(accordingtobespokeformatting)

[*Flexiblecostingisavailableaccordingtovenuesorcommissioningorganization’sneeds–asofDecember2016]

Technicalrequirements:The technical requirements for the production are self-contained and highly adaptable to all venue types

Performancespaceofminimofsevenmeterssquare

Electricalpointforinstrument,accessoriesandPAsystem

Jakewithelectriccello

STAGESET-UP:

LEDLightingUnit(batteryoperated)onwheels

ElectricCello,loop&delaypedals&smallPAsystem

Chair

‘Cloud’hungfromlightingriginvenuesthathavealightingrig.

Cloudhungfromrig

PROPS:

Alex–Ragdollpuppet

‘Flyingthing’-puppet

Silksheetsandribbons

Lightgells

Alex

TheDancingStrongCompanyFoundedbyartistAdesolaAkinleyein2005,DancingStrongcreatesperformanceanddance-basedprojects(includingthecompany’sfindingdanceinunusualspacesproject).DancingStrong'sprofessionalperformancecompanypresentsworktheatres,communitysettingsandschooldthroughouttheUK,USAandCanada.Thecompany’soutreachandeducationalprojectshaveprovidedartsbasedprogrammingwithincommunitiesinLondonUK,SouthEastEngland,WinnipegCA,ruralManitobaCA,DetroitUSA,FlintUSA,andNewYorkUSA.AimsofDaningStrongInclude:

• Providing accessible dance work to audiences andparticipants

• To create work derived from life experiences whichthereforepossessasharedexperienceforaudiences

• Todeliverhighqualityartsineducationwork

• Tocreateworkfornontraditionalvenuesandsite-specificspaces

• Toengageaudiencesandparticipantsofallages

• ContinueinternationalcollaborationsofworkTheFounder/ArtisticDirectorBritishbornAkinleyetrainedattheArtsEducationalSchool,LondonandTheRambertAcademybutbeganherprofessionalcareerasadancerwiththeDanceTheaterofHarlem(USA).AsaperformershehasgoneontoworkwithUnionDanceCompanyandCarolStrakerDanceCompany(UK).Choreographically,AkinleyestudiedchoreographywithmentorBessieSchönbergandhasbeenawardedtheBonnieBirdNew

…………………………………………………………………………ChoreographyAwardandaTrailblazersFellowshipbytheAssociationofDanceoftheAfricanDiaspora(ADAD).AkinleyewasawardedWomanoftheYearfor'Distinguishedachievementinthefieldofcommunitydance'forherworkforchildrenbytheTownofIslip,NewYork.AdesolaisaFellowoftheRoyalSocietyfortheencouragementoftheArts,Manufactures&Commerce(RSA).SheholdsaPhDfromCanterburyChristChurchUniversity,andaMastersofArtsfromCommunityfromMiddlesexUniversity.LightStepsandoriginalworkforchildrenLightStepswaspremièredinsummer2014attheTurnerContemporary,Margate.Itwasaproductionespeciallycateredforchildren(aged3+)andfamilyaudiencesrespondingtothegallery’ssummerexhibit.ThestorytakesinspirationfromworksbyartistSpencerFinchinhisfirstUKsoloexhibitTheSkiescan’tkeeptheirsecret,exhibitedattheTurnerContemporary,Margateinthesummerof2014aspartoftheSummerofColourseason.OriginallyAkinleyeworkedwithUSAscenographerShelbyNewportforResearchandDevelopmentofthepieceinalocalPrimaryschool.ThefinaltouringworkisdesignedbyUKscenographerAndyHamer,withoriginalmusicbyJakeAlexander.

“…useoflightandmusicwasinspiring…”(audienceparticipant)“Itwasverybeautiful”(workshopmember)“Wonderful performance – magical experience,thankyou”(audiencemember)“Theaccompanyingmusicwasbeautiful,thedancerswere awesome, we liked the use of colour andscarves”(audiencemember)"Ienjoyedwatchingthedanceandseeingsomeofthingswemadeup”(workshopparticipant)

CreditsChoreography&Direction:AdesolaAkinleyeCostumeandSceneographer:AndyHamerComposerandMusician:JacobAlexanderDancers:AliceCade,IriszGaluska,NatalieLeeStageManager:KatherineLeungPhotography:JoeCulleton,KatherineLeung,BarryLewisTourManager:TerryAdamsterry@anonymousarts.co.uk

LinkstofilmsofLightSteps:LightSteppromo(4mins):https://vimeo.com/120412780

Inschools&community(4mins):https://vimeo.com/120412515