Shropshire inclusive Dance is looking for a choreographer

Shropshire Inclusive Dance (SiD) is seeking to commission a choreographer to create a new bold and original series of three inclusive dance works for outdoor dance spaces.

We are looking for a dedicated, passionate choreographer, who is open to exploring new approaches to dance making and embraces creating inclusive dances with performers who are disabled and non-disabled. 

The dances will be made with our inclusive performance company, Contact Dance, in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. The dances will be suitable to be performed in outdoor or indoor spaces within urban, rural, festival and conference settings.

The choreographer will create a series of works, made up of two duets and one trio, on an agreed theme with an inclusive cast.

SiD is committed to inclusive dance practice. Since 2012, we have delivered distinct, exemplary, creatively driven dance projects and weekly classes that promote community cohesion and inclusion. SiD’s core values are inclusion, respect, quality, connection, artistry and enjoyment.SiD particularly welcomes applications from choreographers with disabilities.

Terms: We are offering a freelance commission fee of £4,000, plus agreed travel/ accommodation reimbursement and support with access requirements.

Days: 16 days total, to include:

Planning and introductory workshops dates in February & March 2023
Making & devising period from May 31st – June 24th, 2023
(3 days per week)

To find out more information or to apply for the post please read or download the application packs below.

Full commission description

Easy read commission summary with no images

Easy read commission summary with supporting images

Video description with captions

An autumn full of dancing. SiDs weekly classes get off to a great start!

Our weekly inclusive classes at The Hive in Shrewsbury are buzzing with creativity and great dancing. The classes have been in great demand and there are just a few places left.

The classes are led by experienced dance artists and supported by creative advoctes which allows us to give people of all abilities a positive, enjoyable and inclusive dance experiance.

Every term on a Wednesday we offer the following classes.
CREATE – a class where participants can be supported in moving together.
THRIVE – a space where participants learn dance skills, make dances together and learn sequences
CONTACT COMPANY CLASS – A space for experienced dancers to learn contemporary dance sequences, increase movement skills, enjoy creative partner work and create dances in duets , trios and small groups.

If you are interested in these classes please contact us on officesidance@gmail.com we can then discuss the right dance opportunity to suit you.

SiD’s ‘Dancing Together Apart’ exhibition opens at Shrewsbury Museum

Come along to the Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery to view our exhibition,
‘Dancing Together Apart’.
The Exhibition can be viewed in the venue’s beautiful balcony space which is on the 3rd floor and accessible by lift.
This exhibition continues at SMAG until Friday September 30th.

In 2020 Shropshire Inclusive Dance commissioned photographer Ming De Nasty to capture images of Contact Dance Company members dancing at home. Ming’s moving portraits capture dancers participating in zoom classes and performing their own choreographed solos.These stunning images, set in the background of their own home, form a powerful exhibition. The exhibition reveals the dancer’s connection with their homes, their families and their love of dancing.

The four featured dancers are Andrew Kelly, Ellie Taylor, Chloe Shepherd and Mervyn Bradley (pictured above).

The Museum is open from 10am – 4pm and entry is free
Full details of how to find and access Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery can be found here https://www.shropshiremuseums.org.uk/smag/

What a celebration ! Sid celebrates in style.

Many thanks to all who came to SiD’s 10 year celebration, We had over 70 people attending and were proud to share our performances, films and the exhibition.

The evening really felt like a celebration of SiD with lots of old and new friends in attendance. We witnessed beautiful dancing, listened to great speakers, shared memories, chatted, laughed and applauded together.

Dancers from our classes were thrilled to perform, it was also great to look back at previous work on film and share our new duet ‘Skirting Around the Edges’ which really wowed the audience.

Big thanks to everyone who worked hard to make this happen in particular stage technician Callum Barre, all the SiD team, board members and dancers.

The images below show the Thrive Class during tech rehearsal captured by Ray Jacobs

SiD is 10 years old ! Come and join us to celebrate.

SiD would be delighted if you could join us on Wednesday 30th March 7.30pm at The Hive in Shrewsbury where we will share some exciting dance performances, moving dance films and personal testimonials from those who have benefitted by being involved with SiD over the last 10 years.

The evening also includes a chance to view ‘Dancing Together Apart’, an exhibition of photographs by photographer Ming de Nasty. Ming’s intimate portraits of SiD dancers in the backdrop of own homes, form a powerful exhibition in the gallery space.

A complimentary glass of wine/soft drink and snacks will also be served plus there will be a chance to enter our raffle to win a prize.

SiD film ‘Into The Light’ is selected for the Oska Bright Film Festival

SiD are excitied to anounce that our short dance film

‘Into The Light’ has been selected to be shown as part of the brilliant Oska Bright film festival. It will be shown amongst a fantastic selection of music and dance short films. Well done to our dancers, Beth Gardiner, Candi Henstone, Cameron Jones, Cari Glover, Ellie Taylor. Theo Anderson and the hard and creative work from Film-maker Calum Barre, Assistant Director Anna Belyavin and Director Rachel Liggitt. Full details of this fantastic event can be found on the link below.

https://lewesdepot.org/film/oska-bright-music-and-dance

Sid Presents new duet to local community group

We had a great time presenting the work of our company to The Monday Club at the Radbrook Community Centre, Shrewsbury. It was lovely to be with this welcoming group who have supported SiD for a long time. Our presentation included a new duet ‘Skirting around the Edges, brilliantly performed by Beth Gardiner and Anna Belyavin and choreographed by Rachel Liggitt

‘Dancing Together Apart’ Portrait Exhibition is launched !

SiD’s exhibiton of photographic portraits by Ming de Nasty was launched on Saturday night. It was a lovely gathering and the images look brilliant ! Please visit the Hive in Shrewsbury to see this powerful exhibition Tuesday – Fridays, 10am – 4pm until the end of March. The exhibition features photos of dancers Ellie Taylor Chloe Shepherd, Andrew Kelly and Mervyn Bradley including Kevin Shepherd, Maureen Bradley and Izzy the dog !

SiD Dancers rehearsing for Wondrous Stories

Members of our regular dance classes and SiD’s Highflyers Youth Dance Company are presently rehearsing for Wonderous Stories at The NEC Birmingham. Their dedication and commitment is outstanding and they are blowing us away with their personal and group achievements.

Members of the SiD artistic and support team are working pretty hard to!

Can you spot any of our dancers in the ITV news film footage below?

SiD receives Arts Council England funding for 2022/23

SiD are excited to announce a new two year programme of inclusive dance making, facilitating workshops and organisational development through funding from Arts Council England.

We are thrilled to have this opportunity to continue developing our inclusive dance work throughout the community. It will give many dancers, with and without disabilities, the opportunities to dance together, train and to make new work.