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:[email protected]
LinkstofilmsofLightSteps:LightSteppromo(4mins):https://vimeo.com/120412780
Inschools&community(4mins):https://vimeo.com/120412515