SDT’s Dance Agent for Change, Caroline Bowditch is working to break new ground for dance and disability with inclusion at the forefront. The aim is to increase the number of disabled people involved in dance in Scotland, including those entering training or the dance profession. Caroline is developing and coordinating an inclusive creative learning programme which educates, inspires, informs and expands horizons. This SAC Lottery funded role also actively looks at research and developments to strengthen and support Scotland’s performing arts and disability network.
Caroline has been dancing in mixed ability companies for 15 years. Since arriving in the UK in 2002, she has been mentored by Adam Benjamin (CandoCo) and Yael Flexer (Bedlam Dance) and has participated in several residencies with CandoCo. Caroline participated in The Dancers Project 2005 (The Place) and underwent training on the Cultural Shift project 2005 (East London Dance). She has choreographed and performed work as girl jonah with Fiona Wright and is a founder member of Weave Movement Theatre (Melbourne) and The FATHoM Project (Newcastle). Caroline toured with SDT in spring 2007 where she helped create and performed in Adam Benjamin’s Angels of Incidence.
For more info and to read Caroline's Blog visit the Dance Agent for Change Website
- Irish Dance Festival
As part of the Irish Dance Festival, Caroline took part in the symposium - The Many Bodies of Contemporary Dance. You can listen to a podcast of the session here or read the transcript below.
- Devil's Advocate Seminar - Edinburgh Festival Fringe
This session, held asopart of The Edinburgh Festival Fringe was about firing up, challenging and shifting our thinking around disabled people in dance. The aim is to give space to real discussions about integrated and inclusive dance, addressing some of the myths and the facts. Chaired by Caroline, itl focused on the potential of programming integrated dance.
A Podcast of the session will be available here soon!
- Inclusive Dance Practice Workshop
Techniques and tips from Caroline Bowditch, Scottish Dance Theatre’s Dance Agent for Change
Saturday 22 May 10am-1.30pm
10-11am (SDT Dance Studio, Dundee Rep Theatre)
11.30am-1.30pm (Studio 3, The Space)This practical session will be an opportunity for you to see Caroline’s practice in action. After attending a ‘Do Your Thing’ session at Dundee Rep the group will head to The Space to get into the nuts and bolts of ways you can make your teaching practice accessible to as many participants as possible.
You are encouraged to bring questions and queries but also practical exercises that you use in your practice that you think may be difficult to make accessible.
YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO ATTEND BOTH PARTS OF THE SESSION.
This session is FREE and particularly targeted at any students graduating this year.
If you'd like to come along please email Caroline at cbowditch@dundeereptheatre.co.uk
- Bowditch/Brew collaboration for the Posture and Wheeled Mobility Conference.
Caroline and Marc Brew, SDT's Associate Director fellow are about to head back into the studio to create a new duet. This new work will premiere at the 4th International Posture and Wheeled Mobility conference in Glasgow on 7th June where we will perform the piece, which will be about 10 minutes long, and then they will also talk about our roles at SDT. Details will follow soon, if you're interested in finding out out more about the International Posture and Wheeled Mobility Conference, click the link above.
- Do Your Thing Dance and Movement Sessions
Saturdays 10-11am, Dundee Rep Theatre, open to everyone 8 years and above.
'Do Your Thing' dance and movement sessions are fun and engaging classes giving participants the chance to learn more about dance, movement and the way their body moves. Sessions are taught in an inclusive way, in a wheelchair accessible space. No dance experience is necessary although interest and enthusiasm for dance are a must!
Read Caroline's blog here to find out what happened at the 'Do Your Thing' taster session in June.
£3.50 per session, 6 sessions for £18 To book call 01382 223530 or for more information call SDT on 01382 342600
- Engaging Disabled People
Caroline has led a variety of dance sessions in Dundee and will continue to run Taster sessions, workshops, CPD training sessions for dance artists and other activities which are frequently connected to tour venues.
- Training with SDT and Dundee Rep staff / other organisations
Sessions have been held with staff from SDT and Dundee Rep Theatre that have been focused on sharing information and discussing disability issues but primarily they’re aimed at increasing staff members’ confidence when interacting with disabled people and discussing disability related issues. Further training sessions in Disability Equality are planned for 2009 both at Dundee Rep and other organisations in Dundee and beyond.
- Creative Thinking Network
In order to begin to think about and discuss the future directions for Dance and Disability in Scotland, past the end of this post, a group of Scottish based dance artists and arts practitioners have been brought together to assist the develop of a future strategy.
It is likely that this group will continue to grow and change throughout the duration of the project. - Creation of The Long and the Short of It
A short duo, The Long and the Short of It, featuring Caroline and our then tallest dancer, apprentice Tom Pritchard was originally created and performed as part of SDT’s Interactive perfomances in Autumn 2009. The work was appreciated and applauded by audiences because of its ideas and quality, whilst introducing inclusive work, provoking and offering food for thought. The work then featured as part of SDT’s 2009 Spring programme and independently at conferences and other relevant events.
'overturns our preconceptions' The Times online
- Creation of NQR
In Autumn 09/Spring 10 Caroline worked with SDT Artistic Director Janet Smith and SDT Associate Fellow Marc Brew on a new piece, NQR which became part of the Spring 2010 programme and was performed all over the country.
NQR (formerly a medical acronym for Not Quite Right) encourages you to look differently about difference and looks at the individual differences which prevent us fitting into the mould.
Caroline and Marc, who is also a wheelchair user, both perform in the piece which has been met with critical acclaim from critics and audiences alike.
'Bowditch's vivacious personaility lights up the work. Always bright, she dominates the stage even when doing nothing. You cannot take your eyes off her.' Dancing Times on NQR
'[rarely] have I seen a disabled performer use their body with such stark brilliance' The Sunday Herald on Caroline in NQR
'If it seems a little noisy in Dundee at the moment, it’s because there’s some serious groundbreaking going on there. Under the forward-thinking eye of artistic director Janet Smith, Scottish Dance Theatre (SDT) is producing work which forces us to alter our perception of what dance is and, more importantly, who can dance.' The List
‘so good to see the involvement of disabled dancers and how much can be done… just confirms what a good medium dance is for inclusion’ Audience Member, Dundee on NQR
- Creation of Leftovers
Leftovers choreographed and performed by Caroline and Marc Brew was commissioned by DaDa Fest, an international festival which brings together the best of deaf and disability arts.
Leftovers is an eclectic mix of discarded dances carefully gathered from the studio floor - each one with its own potential.
Photographer: Tiago d’Oliveira
