Expressions showcases the exciting new work of inclusive dance groups from across Yorkshire and beyond.
For over 10 years, Expressions has been bringing community groups and companies together to perform on a professional stage to celebrate inclusive dance. With four performances over two days, there’s a packed schedule of talented disabled dancers performing in a diverse range of styles.
Returning this year in a brand-new commission, Hull-based artist Luke Gillingham creates a digital-infused piece to a feel-good soundtrack, performing in all shows.
‘A true celebration of inclusive dance’ and ‘an outstanding event’ Expressions is perfect for dance lovers everywhere.
‘This was my first time at an inclusive dance performance, and I thought it was amazing; really inspirational’
All performances are pay what you feel. To be accessible for performers and audiences alike, all performances have a relaxed structure and are audio described.
All performances are hosted by Kate Stanforth and feature a premier of new work by Luke Gillingham.
Line-up
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Tuesday 1pm
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Sense Creative Dance Rotherham
Sense Creative Dance Rotherham combines two Rotheram dance groups which are part of the Sense Arts National Inclusive Dance Programme. The dance makers have been exploring inclusive choreographic practices devised by Lisa Simpson, using Easy Read Simpson Boards and a variety of sensory props.
icandance
icandance is a London-based charity that empowers disabled children and young people through dance and performance. As a creative, therapeutic community, we believe dance has the power to transform communities, change society's perspective of disability, and amplify the voices of disabled youth.
DAZL Xtreme
DAZL’s mission is to empower children and young people through the movement and expression of dance and improve health and wellbeing through and tackle inequalities.
Shine
We dance, sing, act, create costumes and props, set design and perform in various venues and theatres. We study different genres of performance including ballet, jazz, musical theatre and drama. We have worked with many professional lecturers. We also do a lot of charity work supporting local and national charities.
LIFE ACT
LIFE ACT has been providing opportunities for adults with learning and/or physical disabilities to become actively involved in the performing arts since 2011. Our goal is to help our participants develop their confidence and self-esteem while honing their performing arts skills.
LIFE ACT devises their own performances that explore living life with a disability. We are disability led and strongly support the social model of disability.
We are proud to be a part of ROAR (Rotherham Open Arts Renaissance).
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Tuesday 7pm
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Ascendance: Fuse Dance Collective
Ascendance: Fuse Dance Collective is an inclusive dance company for older adults, creating dynamic contemporary dance that celebrates movement regardless of age. The collective brings together diverse experiences and abilities to create powerful, expressive performances. Ascendance is a creative charity, dedicated to health and wellbeing, offering dance classes and performance opportunities. Whether in a local community venue, a care setting or on the internet via Zoom, Ascendance provide a welcoming and friendly community with a sense of belonging and joy.
Illuminate Seniors
Illuminate are weekly dance sessions for young people aged 6-25 with additional needs. The sessions develop our participants’ dance technique, co-ordination and creativity. We also focus on community, providing respite, support and socialisation. Illuminate is open to every young person who finds enjoyment in dance.
Tang Hall SMART in collaboration with York Dance Space and Mind the Gap
Tang Hall SMART offer creative and personalised learning programmes for young people aged 16-25 with an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP). We offer sessions in music, dance, drama, art and sports. Students have the opportunity to gain qualifications in the creative arts up to Level 3, which is A Level equivalent.
The dance group have been working on their contemporary piece in collaboration with Mind the Gap and York Dance Space as part of their Level 2 and 3 qualifications.
Northern Ballet's Ability
Ability is a weekly dance course for adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities who want to develop their dance technique and skills alongside like-minded people. Dancers are nurtured and challenged through our unique training methods which are adapted to meet individual needs.
Unbound Dance Theatre
Unbound Dance Theatre is an inclusive dance company that develops dance workshops and performances specifically tailored for people who are blind or visually impaired. By incorporating touch, innovative sound technology, verbal prompts and other sensory experiences, the participants are free to fully engage with movements.
Unbound Dance Theatre is a Community Interest Company that aims to liberate lives through movement. The company’s mission is to champion inclusivity, connection and expression. Rooted in its work with the blind and visually impaired community, its commitment is to break down barriers and nurture a dance culture where everyone feels recognised, valued and free to express themselves fully.
Jem Clancy
Disabled artist sharing connected joy through movement. All my work is inclusive and celebrates difference as an opportunity, something I hope always to inspire and support others to embrace and value.
Grace Thompson – Butterfly Hope
I am Grace Thompson, and I am a disabled dancer and performer, passionate about breaking down barriers in dance and inspiring others to challenge what’s possible. Through teaching and performing, I bring an inclusive environment to dance where anyone, regardless of disability, can thrive and feel welcome. I am committed to creating spaces where everyone feels they belong on stage.
Hollie Shackley
I am a wheelchair dancer and have been for the past 2.5 years. Previously I danced for 14 years growing up training mostly in ballet and freestyle before becoming unable to dance for over 2 years due to ill health. Expressions 2024 was my first time back to performing since then.
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Wednesday 12.30pm
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Northern Ballet’s Rise & Shine
Rise & Shine is Northern Ballet’s new inclusive dance project in SEND schools in Yorkshire. Dancers from John Jamieson School (Leeds), Greenacre School (Barnsley) and Springwater School (Harrogate) will perform their new creations.
https://northernballet.com/rise-and-shine
Leaps and Bounds – Yorkshire Dance
Leaps and Bounds is a creative dance project for adults with a Learning Disability to express themselves through movement. The dancers meet weekly throughout term time to learn moves, build their confidence and strength, and develop their own routines. The Leaps and Bounds project works with approximately 60 dancers from a number of day centres across Leeds and is funded by Aspire Community Benefit Society.
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Thursday 7pm
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One Day Dance – Mind the Gap Academy
The One Day Dance course at Mind the Gap uses a mix of improvisation, technique and choreographic tools to develop individual movements into choreography. Inspired by the world of contemporary dance, the students develop their technical skills, explore the art of choreography, and research dance artists and companies. The students have the exciting opportunity to create their own dance pieces to show off their performance skills and share their creations with an audience at our annual showcase which is a celebration of creativity and self-expression.
Northern Ballet’s InMotion
Northern Ballet’s unique wheelchair dance course supports wheelchair users to move in new ways and develop strength, flexibility and creative expression. The group work together to create a piece for performance.
NSCD Creative Dance
Our group meets weekly to give adults with learning disabilities the opportunity to share and develop creative skills through dance. We explore a range of creative techniques to expand movement and choreographic skills. We celebrate individuality and create opportunities for peer leadership. All of our work is created in collaboration, so every piece is a reflection of our group members and their talent. Creative Dance is a diverse group who enjoy coming together to share our love of dance.
Dance21
We are a dance group for young people with Down syndrome. We meet each week on a Thursday evening 6.00-7.00pm where the young people have a chance to socialise, exercise and learn & help create new dances. We constantly look for chances for the group to perform as they really enjoy this opportunity.
Emily Kent supported by MeshDance
Emily is a learning disabled contemporary dancer, choreographer and facilitator. She joined MeshDance as a youth dance company member in 2010 and transitioned to class assistant a few years later. Through a Developing Your Creative Practice grant from Arts Council England, Emily built up her facilitation and choreographic skills, with support from MeshDance. Emily trains with Northern Ballet’s Ability and works with Party People Project in Bradford.
MeshDance were formed in 2009 and provide accessible dance opportunities for learning disabled and autistic dancers across Yorkshire. A key strand of MeshDance’s work is to support learning disabled and autistic people to pursue dance as a career, offering mentoring and bespoke support tailored to each individual. Dancers from MeshDance include George Webster (Talent Hub dancer and Cbeebies presenter) and Francis Henry (NYDC dancer from 2023 – 2025).
That! Dance
That! Dance is an inclusive community dance organisation based in Staffordshire, with groups running in Burton-upon-Trent and Lichfield. We work with young people and adults, aged 16-30, with a range of needs, who all love to dance!
FABRIC’s Keep Moving Project, featuring: Linden Dance Company, Dancefest, Embody Dance and That! Dance
Funded by the United by 22 Legacy Charity as part of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Enhancement Fund, Keep Moving is the next phase of the critically acclaimed inclusive dance and movement Critical Mass project, which was produced by FABRIC and engaged hundreds of young people aged 16-30, with and without disabilities, to come together to perform as a united dance group.
Line up subject to change.
Accessibility
All performances are in a Relaxed style which includes:
- The lights in the auditorium will remain on during the performance
- You can make noise during the performance
- You can leave and re-enter the auditorium as you need
- If you want to leave the auditorium there is a chill out space available
- The sound and lighting are adapted to reduce the volume and remove flashing lighting effects
- Ear defenders are available if the sound is too loud
- Fidget toys are available.
In addition, we provide a mobile Changing Places Toilet (hired from AccessoLoo) and a temporary changing space with a fixed height bed and hoist.
All performances will also be audio described live by a VocalEyes describer. We use Mobile Connect to share the description with those who need it. Mobile Connect can be downloaded on to your smartphone or tablet so that you can listen with your own device. We will have a limited number of devices available to borrow if you aren’t able to use your own.
Our building is wheelchair accessible. Find out more detailed access information about our building.
You can also watch this short video to see some of the facilities at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre.
Running time for the 1pm shows is expected to be 60 minutes.
Running time for the 7pm shows is expected to be 90 minutes with a 15-minute interval.
Line-up is subject to change, more performers may be announced.
Find out more about Expressions
Accessing audio description
We use a Wi-Fi based system called Mobile Connect to deliver audio description to those who need it. It's easy to use and can be accessed by downloading an app onto your smartphone/tablet.
Expressions CPD
This session will explore Unbound Dance Theatre’s creative practices for making dance accessible and inclusive for blind and visually impaired people.
Read more
Supported by
Photos by Ant Robling and Jamal Burkmar.
