A successful dance pilot project could see people of all abilities embracing their inner stomp.
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Stompin Youth Dance Company launched its first integrated dance project in August, collaborating with Able Australia’s Younger Persons Program.
The eight participants of all abilities are gearing up to perform on Saturday afternoon after nine weeks of workshops.
“For me, it’s about giving everyone a chance to find a voice through the arts.”
- Stompin project leader Gabriel Comerford
Stompin project leader Gabriel Comerford hoped the project would reverse some assumptions that people living with disability didn’t have anything to say.
“We’ve tried to get carers onto the floor (with the participants) as equals,” Comerford said.
“For me, it’s about giving everyone a chance to find a voice through the arts.”
The largely free-form show was focused on the theme of connections to themselves and others, he said.
They used the different techniques and moved Comerford gave them from the “improvised toolbox” but they could use their own moved too, he said.
More regular dance sessions were on the table with an annual series of workshops ending in a performance, Comerford said.
Participant Jarrett Green said he enjoyed the pilot program
“It’s great,” Green said. “I’m getting into my groove.”
Able Australia younger adult program team leader Paula Cronly said some of the participants started out shy, but gradually started dancing until they were comfortable to be on the stage.
The organisation had a “taster” with Stompin last December, which the participants had embraced, Cronly said.
A grant had been received to pay for the workshops, performance and teachers who travelled from the mainland and Hobart for some workshops, she said.
Meeting twice a week, the participants learnt different ways of moving and showing the theme of connection, she said.
“One participant was very apprehensive and rather watched, now every session they follow the moves.”
They were excited to showcase their hard work to an audience, she said.
- Stompin Youth Dance Company and Able Australia will share their integrated dance show at The Annexe Theatre between 2pm and 4pm on Saturday.