Month: October 2019

FRONTLINEdance Residency; join us for just a couple of hours, a whole day or for a 2-day residency. Lots to choose from and suitable for all

Book your tickets in advance on our eventbrite page

FRONTLINEdance Residency @ The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery. Lead by FRONTLINEdance’s Artistic Director and Company Dancer Kayleigh Price. Suitable for all 14 years plus. Beginners to professionals. Teachers and small student groups welcome. Please enquire. 

Mon 21st: 10am-12pm INCLUSIVE DANCE INTRO & 1-3pm EXPLORE THE PMAG THROUGH DANCE!

INCLUSIVE DANCE INTRO: Take part in a fully inclusive dance session that will give you ideas alongside tried and tested methods to enjoy dancing equally together making sure everyone is included and challenged. Transfer these skills to any set up and setting. 

EXPLORE THE PMAG THROUGH DANCE: Participants will select part of the museum and art gallery that they wish to explore and then be lead through a series of exploration and improvisation tasks relating to it. This will include interpreting words, images, themes, objects, feelings, relationships, space and dynamic of the building. 

Tues 22nd: 10am-12pm – Focus on Dance For over 60’s: This session is aimed at the over 60’s to explore the spine sculpture currently presented in the museum as part of our festival. The workshop may travel to various parts of the museum, as guided and dictated by the participants. 

Weds 23rd: 10am-12pm EXPLORE THE PMAG THROUGH DANCE (see above description) &  1pm-3pm FOCUS ON DANCE FOR HEALTH: This will be an opportunity to take part in some of FRONTLINEdance’s Dance For Health workshops. It will also include exploring the ‘spine sculpture’. A great opportunity to try out something new that benefits many health conditions, as well as providing artist, practitioners, facilitators, and teachers with an insight to why and what we do.

Thurs 24th & Fri 25th – 2 -day residency: This is a 2-day integrated and inter-generational residency for those who can commit to 2-days and who want to also create and perform. We’ll be using choreographic and performance methods from our new work ‘Seeing Me’. Over the 2 days we will

FOCUS ON MAKING: Residency participants will be lead through a series of creative tasks to make new solo, duet, trio & group work.

FOCUS ON PERFORMING: The afternoon will focus on why, how, and where we perform this work.

REFINING & DEVELOPING MATERIAL: Participants will be be able to develop the work created the day before as well as making new work. 

Pay what you decide / can afford. Suggested donation of £6 -£10 per 2-hour session. 

Please select what workshop on the booking form.

BBC1 documentary star and comedian Laurence Clark brings ‘An Irresponsible Father’s Guide to Parenting’ to FRONTLINE Arts Festival.

Growing up Laurence never saw dads with cerebral palsy; which made him think he’d never be a parent himself. Besides, the only thing he’d ever managed to look after was a cactus, and even that died from dehydration. But then his future wife says he’d better be prepared for the fact she wants babies… which is a pretty strong opening line.

‘An Irresponsible Father’s Guide to Parenting’ gives a comic, brutally honest and charming account of what it’s really like to be a disabled parent. It both challenges and engages audiences by exploring the commonality and differences in the experiences of disabled and non-disabled fathers. If Laurence is an irresponsible father, then it is probably more to do with balancing his wife’s crutches on his son’s baby walker to make him look like a Dalek!

A hilarious, moving and interactive piece that asks some tough questions about society and the perceptions that we have on those who do not follow societal norms.

The evening will introduce Paul Henshall, who will be making his SOT debut as a stand up comedian… Join North Staffs born Paul for quick fire observational and surreal stand-up ! Paul can’t afford a Harley, so this is his midlife crisis!

Paul is best know for his TV credits which include; Dr Dean West: Holby City, Paul Ball: I’m With Stupid, Michael Scant: A Thing Called Love, Ollie Beresford: Casualty, David Hobbs: Playing the Field, all for BBC. Prankster: Off Their Rockers – Blue Badge Special, ITV

Paul was the first disabled person in the country to gain a qualification in stage combat from the British Academy of Dramatic Combat, and in 2007 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Staffordshire University for services to acting and the promotion of disabled actors.

Please book your tickets in advance from the eventbrite page. There’s no up front cost, you Pay What You Decide on the night!

In partnership with St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy

International dance artist Stuart Waters performs ‘RockBottom’ alongside local artists Tracy Henham (spoken word) and Breakthrou’dance (inclusive dance)

An evening of performances on themes relating to mental health by international dance artist Stuart Waters and local artists Tracy Henham and Breakthrou’dance. Discussion and conversations will follow each performance.

Breakthrou’DANCE , value friendships, have respect for each other, love to dance, smile & laugh lots. They enjoy the freedom to be expressive and be themselves. So when the group decided to dig a little deeper, they had the support of each other to do so. The outcome is the creation of a short contemporary dance performance based on the emotional and physical pain and frustration caused by being excluded. The dancers explored how it feels to be ignored, not listened too, left out of conversations, and activities, how the name calling hurts, being bullied and how this has a direct impact on their confidence, self-esteem, and mental health. Sometimes it’s not them but those close to them that feel it and witness it the most.

Choreography by the dancers; Emily, Matt, Dave, Dan, Grace & Rhiannon

Tracy Henham

Tracy’s spoken word performance is a collection of pieces from her book ‘Madness Between Gladness and Sadness’ and focuses on her personal experiences of Bipolar 2.

Writing and performing from inside the condition, Tracy’s work challenges the stigma surrounding mental health. Her poetry reflects on periods where she loses her mental functions due to fluctuations in her mental health. Tracy hopes to open up the conversation on mental health and encourage others to seek support in a safe, secure and inclusive environment.

Headliner: Stuart Waters ‘RockBottom’

‘RockBottom’ is a new one man show, a powerful and topical dance theatre performance. Combining bold story-telling and highly physical choreography, this show is a moving and incredibly honest self-portrait of a personal struggle with depression and addiction.

Since Stuart’s show tackles these difficult subjects, the company has taken this opportunity to invite local mental health charities to participate in the post-show discussion. They are also invited to offer their support and information to the audience if required.

‘RockBottom’ is not only a thought-provoking night-out; it is a reflective tool for everyone concerned with mental well-being.

Due to the potentially distressing themes in RockBottom, this performance is not suitable for anyone under the age of 16.

As part of the Mental Health Evening, a trained counsellor will be available should anyone in the audience wish to speak in confidence to a trained and safe professional.

FRONTLINE Arts Festival runs from 1st October to 1st November and features an inclusive programme of professional, high-quality artistic work created by, and for, disabled people, alongside fully inclusive workshops, talks & activities to engage and inspire the next generation of new & emerging disabled artists.

All of our events are ‘Pay What You Decide’ and will have suggested prices at each event. Get your tickets from our eventbrite page

For further information visit www.frontlineartsfestival.co.uk