For my work experience i was lucky enough to be able to spend time at a successful professional inclusive dance company - StopGap. On my first day i was able to take a contemporary choreography class that was taught by a lady who was in a wheelchair and was non verbal, this was such an incredible experience for me especially as i am very interested in inclusive performance. I found it such an enriching experience to be able to learn form someone who had such a different way of communicating, she had created this board which was separated into different sections and she would pint at different things on it which we would out together to create choreography. Later in the day i was able to take part in a contemporary class that was mainly for teenagers who have downs syndrome, this helped me understand different teaching techniques that are more suited to people who have different needs compared to mainstream dancers, some tasks need explaining in different ways and demonstrated to someone who has a learning difficulty, however i have always believed that this shouldn't stop someone who has any disability being able to dance. Both of these classes have shown me how to overcome issues that may stop someone with a disability being excluded from this and teaching in them in a way that could still help them develop dance technique and become a successful performer.
For the rest of the week i was able to spend some time with the main company who are currently preparing to tour with their new piece. The company has some incredible dancers with and without disability's, i found that meeting all of these professional dancers who train so hard to be the best they can be so motivating, i was fortunate to meet dancers who were all completely different, for example there was 2 men in wheelchairs, one was able to walk on his hands and dance like this and keep up completely with everyone else and the other was doing incredible movements such as shoulder stands and handstands whilst still in the wheelchair. As well as this one of the featured dancers had downs syndrome, and although she found ti difficult to pick up choreography as fast as the others, she worked incredibly hard to keep up and performed incredibly well. This has inspired more further to specialise in inclusive performance because i think there is still so much stigma around additional needs and many people believe that this restricts them from doing things like this in life, i would love to be able to be a part of something that spreads the knowledge for equal opportunities in life.
As well as this i am fortunate enough to be able to teach a group of children some of which have learning and physical needs, my week at StopGap have allowed me to learn more teaching techniques that i can use to help these children develop their dance technique as well as feeling included and helping with other skills such as social, communication and expression. Being able to teach allows me to see form a completely different view from being a student, i have to think and consider how different people learn as everyone thinks in a different way. For example one student may learn by being told what to do whereas another may need demonstrating, this means that i have to make sure every child is understanding and i use a range of techniques inn the session. In November last year i was asked by a friend to help backstage in a local production of 42nd street, i helped her sort and preset costumes as well as being a dresser for all of her quick changes during the show. I found this helpful as i was able to develop my knowledge of what it is like backstage compared to being a performer, this means that i now have different experiences that i can later call upon and this can only help my future employ ability.
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