Author: frontline-admin

2/3 dance artists/consultants needed for Targeted Consultation and Workshop Delivery to Ethnically Diverse Members of our community and Wheelchair Users

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For two to three members of our artistic team (or two new/additional freelance dance artists who just want to deliver this) we are offering a temporary role to deliver Targeted Consultation & Workshops to inclusively engage:

  • Ethnically diverse members of our local community
  • Wheelchair user’s

This is so we can find out why representation from these two areas of our community are lower than others, and what we can do to about it. After an initial 16 hours of consultation, you will be required to deliver six 1-hour targeted ONLINE dance workshops. FRONTLINEdance would then require you to create an engagement plan moving forward, and you will need to present your findings and advice to the team. Your final contribution would be to evaluate your time with us. 

Your role would start on 28th April and for this current agreement end around 25th June. However we would hope to be able to offer you delivery / performance work in the future. FRONTLINEdance are looking for dance artists with lived experience/self-identify with these particular members of our local community. We envisage this work can be carried out remotely and online, therefore it’s unlikely that you will need to travel to us. 

Fee: £1,080 (45 hours work in total) to include 16 hours of consultation,  planning and delivery of 6 1-hour online dance sessions, 16 hours creating and then presenting an engagement plan to the FRONTLINEdance Team, and 4 hours to evaluate. 

 

How To Apply:

Please provide us either in a document, voice recording, or video:

  • Name and contact details
  • Details of your skills and experience
  • Why you want to work with FRONTLINEdance
  • Which communities you identify with / have lived experience of
  • Details of relevant qualifications, CPD and informal courses you have attended
  • Anything else that you would like to add, including video links

DEADLINE: Friday 16th April 2021

Email this to: rachael@frontlinedance.co.uk

For those applying via video, can you please send via a WeTransfer or something similar please.

What happens next? FRONTLINEdance will invite those shortlisted to an ONLINE interview on WEDNESDAY 21st APRIL, and you will be asked to deliver a 20 mins creative task (further details will be sent). Successful applicants will be notified on THURSDAY 22nd APRIL, to start a freelance agreement with us (ONLINE) on 28th APRIL.

By using the term ‘disabled dance artists’ we aim to include artists who identify as being disabled, D/deaf, neurodiverse/neurodivergent and those experiencing chronic illness, mental health conditions, and more. We understand that different people prefer different terminology. You do not have to prefer the term ‘disabled person’, nor identify as a disabled dance artist to apply.

Dance Artists: Job Description/Person Specification, and How to Apply

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We are looking for 5-7 freelance dance artists (aged 23 years and above) to join a training and research & development period with us. We need a range of dance artists, who can lead delivery on the three main areas of our work; Community | Health | Performance

The aim is that all dance artists will form our CORE Artistic Team, so all need to be ready to deliver on a number of projects and programmes, including new performance work by the end of the 15 days. Each individual dance artist will act as ‘leads’ in areas of strength, but all will take part in the same training and R&D process, meaning that we can expand on our delivery. Therefore, all need to show commitment to working for us beyond July 2021, even though initial agreements will end July 2021.

Dance artists will be experienced in at least one of the following, and will be given lead roles to:

  • Dance in our performance works
  • Lead sessions in hospitals and/or elderly care settings
  • Lead inclusive dance in our community
  • Lead Dance For Health session’s for partipants who have long term health conditions
  • Consult and lead on targeted sessions for ethnically diverse people (must self-identify)
  • Consult and lead on target sessions for wheelchair users (must self-identify)
  • Be part of a combination of, or all of the above.

This training period will provide the time to research & co-develop ideas exploring different delivery models to overcome the restrictions Covid-19 has placed on some of our methodology, specifically how we directly interact with Visually Impaired and PMLD /SPMLD audiences in a performance context. We’ll share findings & use it to inform our future performance work. Sessions will be via Zoom and Face to Face (see below).

We are not interested in applicants who are available ONLY for this period of training, but those who see a future working with FRONTLINEdance as a core member of its artistic team. Those interested in leading sessions, must be willing to travel to Stoke-on-Trent / Staffordshire on a regular basis to deliver. There is no upper age limit, and we encourage ethnically diverse and disabled dance artists to apply.

Fee: £1,800, for 15 days. There is no additional fee for travel and accommodation. Access costs are available. Self employment agreement offered.

For two to three members of our artistic team (or two new/additional freelance dance artists) we are also offering a further temporary role to deliver Targeted Consultation & Workshops to inclusively engage:

  • Ethnically diverse members of our local community
  • Wheelchair user’s

In brief, the role will include finding out why current engagement is lower, deliver a targeted online participatory programme from the findings, and create a new engagement plan for the future. FRONTLINEdance are looking for dance artists with lived experience/self-identify with these particular members of our local community. This work will take place April-June 2021. As sessions will be delivered online, it’s unlikely that you will need to travel to us. Follow this link for further information:
Job: Targeted dance consultation & delivery | FRONTLINEdance

How To Apply:

Please provide us either in a document, voice recording, or video:

  • Name and contact details
  • Details of your skills and experience
  • Why you want to work with FRONTLINEdance
  • Your preferred lead role position(s)
  • What would be your ‘ideal’ working situation with us be? E.g : times / days of the week / year, in blocks, on a weekly basis, short term projects, long-term projects. Part-time, full-time, sessional basis.
  • Explain your ideal way of working; e.g. style, environment, by yourself, in a team, process, how you like to work with others, how you like others to work with you.
  • Details of relevant qualifications, CPD and informal courses you have attended
  • Anything else that you would like to add, including video links, and please state any days/times of the 15 days that you cannot attend.

DEADLINE: Wednesday 14th April 2021

Email this to: rachael@frontlinedance.co.uk

For those applying via video, can you please send via a WeTransfer or something similar please.

What happens next? FRONTLINEdance will invite those shortlisted to an ONLINE interview on THURSDAY 15th APRIL , followed by an ONLINE 6-8pm workshop. Successful applicants will be notified on FRIDAY 16th April, to start training with us (ONLINE) on MONDAY 19th APRIL.

By using the term ‘disabled dance artists’ we aim to include artists who identify as being disabled, D/deaf, neurodiverse/neurodivergent and those experiencing chronic illness, mental health conditions, and more. We understand that different people prefer different terminology. You do not have to prefer the term ‘disabled person’, nor identify as a disabled dance artist to apply.

Dates and Times:

19th April Intro & Training ONLINE 9am-12midday
20th April Intro & Training ONLINE 9:15am-3:45pm
22nd April Intro & Training ONLINE 9am-12midday
6pm-8pm
30th April FULL TEAM MEETING ONLINE 9am-11am
5th May Training ONLINE 9:15am-3:45pm
6th May Training ONLINE 9:15am-12:15pm
2:15pm-3:45pm
6pm-8pm
7th May Training ONLINE 9:15am-3:45pm
W/B 10th May 1 to 1 meeting with AD ONLINE TBC
24th – 28th May R&D SOT 9am-3:30pm
15th-17th June  3 days Training / R&D SOT 9am-3:30pm
18th June End of Dance Artist Training and R&D Work – Final Evaluation with All staff TBC 9am-3:30pm

Transcend 2021

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A FREE programme that offers many different pathways. It is person-centred and tailor-made for each individual, so length of time on the programme, content, and outcome is different for each individual. It’s been designed for dDeaf and disabled adults living in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire

Transcend aims to help those who want to develop current skills and gain new skills, explore their workforce* skills, and seek out new opportunities. You can join us for 7 hours or 12 weeks. Lots of different options to suit each individual.

(*training, volunteering, supported permitted work, paid employment, self employment).

Tailor-made around each participant, Transcend is person-centred and the ideal programme for those who:

  • needs space and time to work out what they are good at, and what they can offer
  • would like to build confidence and increase their self-esteem
  • want to try something new, with a different approach to learning
  • want to develop skills, but needs extra time to do so
  • would benefit from extra time to process information and better understand themselves
  • are keen to volunteer, gain new qualifications, or find paid employment / permitted work
  • would like to find their place in society and local community
  • requires support to understand others 
  • is unsure what career path to take
  • would like to work out what reasonable adjustments they require and how they can work with employers to support them in the work place
  • have recently become disabled and want to work out what is next
  • have transferable skills but not sure which direction or job matches them
  • would like to find their self-worth and have a positive outlook on life and work

Transcend is designed to be relevant to each individual.

Who is it for?

Transcend is for deaf and disabled people* who are:

  • economically inactive
  • over 16 years old
  • have the right to live and work in the UK
  • registered unemployed
  • not currently doing another ESF course
  • living in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire

* FRONTLINEdance defines a disability as any condition that makes it more difficult for a person to do certain activities or interact with the world around them. These conditions, or impairments, may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, sensory, or a combination of multiple factors. We welcome those who self-identify as disabled.

If you are not sure that you qualify, or are non-disabled and think this programme is ideal for you, then please get in touch: rachael@frontlinedance.co.uk

What can you expect?

You will take part in weekly workshops that use tried and tested methods, tailored and designed to support all individuals.

You’ll have the choice off attending in person or online. Dates and Times are to the right of this post. We are following strict Covid-19 guidance and will ask you to do the same. You will be one of 6 participants if attending in person. Or one of fifteen if taking part online.

Whilst equipping each individual with new and improved communication skills, awareness of self and others, the ability to express own, and understand other’s needs, you’ll also gain an excellent work ethic and understand different work place protocols.

You can also expect to learn methods of relaxation to help reduce and manage stress levels and anxiety. Tasks to help increase memory. Exercises to keep fit, mobile and healthy. Plus lots more besides!

Participants will explore methods to help discover what strengths, skills, and aspirations each has, as well as what job roles and career paths may suit them. FRONTLINEdance will then create bespoke learning plans with each learner and collectively set clear goals and monitor progress.

FRONTLINEdance will help you search for and sign post you towards opportunities that you are interested in.

Why take part?

  • REALISE potential
  • Be part of a a TEAM
  • LEARN social and interpersonal skills
  • ENHANCE problem-solving skills
  • LEARN how to exercise judgement
  • ADDRESS challenges
  • GAIN transferable skills
  • FEEL empowered
  • INCREASE confidence
  • GET the right mind set
  • BREAK-DOWN preconceived barriers
  • PROGRESS
  • ENHANCE health and well-being via physical and creative activity,
  • BE BETTER equipped with the knowledge and attitude needed

Who is delivering it?

Course Leader: Rachael Lines plus guest specialists

Support Worker: Matt Byatt

For more information and to register your interest please call Rachael on: 07484 874335 or email hello@frontlinedance.co.uk All Transcend participants will need to be fully registered before a place on the programme is offered.

All workshops and AGM suspended

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Following the latest government advice around corona virus, we will unfortunately be suspending all FRONTLINEdance workshops and our upcoming AGM, until further notice

We’ll be in touch soon to let you know when we plan to re-open, and we hope you understand our decision. As always the health and wellbeing of our participants and staff is our top priority!

FAF Presents: Inclusive Dance Residency

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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.

FAF Presents: Laurence Clarke with Support by Paul Henshall

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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!

FAF Presents: Dance, Poetry and Mental Health

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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

Raquel Meseguer -A Mini Crash Course in Cloudspotting: Creating a rest space for FRONTLINE Arts festival (aka please save me from crummy ceilings)

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I have lived with chronic pain for over a decade. And that means I need to lie down (a lot). If I want to be a part of the world, to be out and move through it, I often find myself needing to lie down in public. I lie down on trains, on benches, in galleries. When necessary, on the floor.

I’ve spent a lot of time looking longing at plush carpets in posh shops I haven’t dared lie down on, a lot of time looking for 2 free seats on a train if my pain levels are spiking, and a LOT of time staring up at crummy ceilings like these:

And I am not the only one who navigates the world in this way. When I did a survey in 2017 people with Hidden Disabilities* told me about having to rest or lie down in all sorts of places: the mattress department at John Lewis, Wimbledon Court Number 1, their wedding. Those sound quite cool actually. But people also told us about demeaning places work colleagues suggested they lie down in, like a stationary cupboard. Or places people felt obliged to lie down in, because of the taboo about public rest and horizontality. Which means a LOT of people rest in toilets, and when necessary, lie down on toilet floors. Either that, or they stay at home.

So when FRONTLINE Arts Festival invited me to create a Resting Space as part of their festival, I jumped at the chance. They encouraged me to do it somewhere central, and potentially challenging, somewhere we might think of as the anti-thesis of rest: Intu Potteries shopping centre. Which on reflection is the perfect place for a Resting Space. For many reasons: it’s important to create spaces to rest where ‘normal life’ happens; it honours the many stories I’ve heard about people needing to rest to/from/at their local shops; and the space aims to be a community space, in the centre of Stoke on Trent, with events throughout October.

Now in truth, I have developed a fondness for crummy ceilings, and for documenting the ceilings I rest beneath. It’s one of the ways I have found beauty in my lived experience of disability. But that’s not the point. We used to design and build amazing ceilings. And so we invite you to co- create a ceiling installation with us, and save me (and others) from resting under yet another crummy ceiling.

If you live / study / work in Stoke on Trent we would love to invite you to:

  • Tell us what you want of a Resting Space https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YFMFK88
  • Co-create the Resting Space with us at a workshop on Tuesday 1st Oct (sign up charlie@frontlinedance.co.uk)
  • If you have a Hidden Disability, share a story about a time you’ve had to rest in public.
  • Attend a performance of Rest Room on Wed 2nd Oct (sign up charlie@frontlinedance.co.uk)

A Mini Crash Course in Cloudspotting is a month long installation, a dance theatre solo, a resting space, a provocation, and a community space created bespoke for FRONTLINE Arts festival 2019.

The project aims to challenge the etiquette of our public spaces and open dialogue on the taboo aspects of Hidden Disability.

Full details of events can be found here: https://uncharteredcollective.com/a-mini-crash-course-in-cloudspotting-frontline-festival

* Hidden Disabilities refers to a broad range of conditions with associated pain and fatigue like chronic pain, ME, fibromyalgia, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, chronic fatigue, etc

A Performance for a Visually Impaired Audience

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Performance for a visually impaired audience at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery 

1:30pm Friday 23rdAugust

‘Seeing Me’

In what we believe will be the first experience of its kind in Stoke-On-Trent, FRONTLINEdance are performing a piece designed specifically with visually impaired audiences in mind. They will meet, greet and guide the audience to the space where there will be a short performance. The performers will use text to describe what they are doing. Describing everything from what they are doing and feeling, to what they look like, the costumes they are wearing and the environment they are in. It’s a little like audio description, but in so much more detail, with the dancers describing rather than someone else. 

We hope to make the audience feel more connected, engaged and up close and personal with the performers, really part of the action. Of course, sighted audiences are welcome, but the aim of this performance is to share an experience with our visually impaired community. 

FRONTLINEdance have worked closely with the Hanley Based VI Hub group volunteers to create this piece, and the other work we are performing as part of Appetite’s Big Feast (Sat 24th) is heavily informed by their experiences, challenges and frustrations, as well as having input from our disabled community as a whole.

After the performance there will then be a short discussion where you will be invited to share your thoughts and feelings and tell us what you think!

Get your FREE ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/performance-for-a-visually-impaired-audience-at-the-potteries-museum-and-ar-tickets-69397412529