Connect & Collaborate 2026

Introducing our nine talented artists for 2026’s Connect & Collaborate Project.

Save the date! On Wednesday 18th March at 12pm (midday) until 1:30pm we’ll be hosting an ONLINE webinar where you can hear all about the project, find out more about the artists and future collaborations.

Lucy, is a white female with short hair and fringe who is standing sideways on and smiling. She is wearing a mustard yellow zip up hoodie and has dangling gold hoop earrings with green semi circles attached to the bottom. Overlaid the image is the text “Lucy Haighton’ and FRONTLINEdances, Art Council England and Funded by UK Government logos in white.

Lucy is an independent multidisciplinary movement artist working across choreography, performance, community facilitation and artistic direction.

Find out more: https://lucyhaighton.com
Photo credit: Laura Page

Stuart is a white male with short cropped hair who is seated on the floor in a studio space looking over to the side. An open notebook lies on the floor in front of him and he is wearing a black vest top and navy blue tracksuit bottoms. Overlaid the image is the text “Stuart Waters” and FRONTLINEdances, Art Council England and Funded by UK Government logos in white.

Stuart is a Contemporary Dance Artist, performer and teacher whose practice has shifted into maker, researcher, curator, facilitator, mentor and coach (EMCC Senior practitioner accreditation).

Find out more: https://www.head-on.co.uk | https://stuartwaterscoaching.co.uk

Caroline is a white female with mid length blonde hair who is standing sideways on and smiling in an outdoor garden space. She is wearing a pink, red and green floral top. Overlaid the image is the text “Caroline Butterwick” and FRONTLINEdances, Art Council England and Funded by UK Government logos in white.

Caroline is a Freelance journalist, writer, community artist and researcher.

Kayleigh is white female with dark hair looking over her shoulder against a dark green background. She is wearing a burgundy turtle neck vest and has a slight smile.Overlaid the image is the text “Kayleigh Price” and FRONTLINEdance, Art Council England and Funded by UK Government logos in white.

Kayleigh is a freelance dance artist, choreographer and Artistic Director of Company K, making autobiographical work using her own experiences to demonstrate shared commonalities.

Find out more: https://www.companyk.co.uk/

Brannon is an asian male who is leaning back in a bucket chair with wheels in a white studio space and smiling. He is wearing a cap with the peak at the back, black tshirt and trousers with black adidas trainers. Overlaid the image is the text “Brannon Yau” and FRONTLINEdance, Art Council England and Funded by UK Government logos in white.

Brannon is a Filmmaker. Alumnus of Northern School of Contemporary Dance, transitioned into film through the creation of dance films over the course of COVID. Now working predominantly in dance films to narrative and documentaries.

Find out more: www.brannonyaufilms.com | https://www.instagram.com/brannonyaufilm

Shaun is a white male who is seated in a wheelchair and gesturing with his hands as he looks over his left shoulder as if mid sentence. He is wearing a mustard yellow turtle neck and brown trousers with a black wrist watch on his left arm. Overlaid the image is the text “Shaun Fallows” and FRONTLINEdance, Art Council England and Funded by UK Government logos in white.

Shaun is a performance poet born with Cerebral Palsy and a wheelchair user. His poetry ranges from the frustrations of everyday access issues to travel, dating, and growing up, with humour or poignancy.

Find out more: http://www.shaunfallowspoetry.com/ | https://vimeo.com/885579163?share=copy | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnQKyTsSnNk

Louise is a white female with light blonde hair cut into a shoulder length bob and waved. She is smiling and wears a denim jacket. Overlaid the image is the text “Louise Stones” and FRONTLINEdance, Art Council England and Funded by UK Government logos in white.

Louise is a BBC and commercial radio presenter, broadcaster, interviewer & reporter.

Holly is pictured kneeling in front of a large stained glass window, She is wearing a green and white striped sweatshirt. Her hands are held in front of her in an expressive gesture, thumb and forefinger of one hand touching as if describing something fine or delicate. Overlaid the image is the text “Holly Thomas” and FRONTLINEdance, Art Council England and Funded by UK Government logos in white.

Holly is a UK based dance artist, choreographer, performer and co-director of Half Light Projects C.I.C. Resident at the Watershed’s Pervasive Media Studio in Bristol and a member of the West of England Sight Loss Council’s arts and culture forum. Exploring the often-uncharted territory of dance and visual impairment and the aesthetics of choreography from a non-visual perspective.

Find out more: https://hollythomasdance.co.uk/about/
Photo Credit: Vonalina Cake

Mel is a white female is smiling showing her white teeth. She has light blonde shoulder length hair, blue eyes and is wearing a blue tie-dyed style sweatshirt with different hues of blue. Overlaid over the text is "Mel Osbourne" and at the bottom are the FRONTLINEdance, Arts Council England and Funded by UK Government logos in white

Mel is a local theatre maker, writer, actor, drama teacher and facilitator.

We’re an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, which means funding thanks to taxpayers play a huge part in supporting our work.

#ConnectAndCollaborate # DisabledArtists #NeurodivergentArtists #InclusiveArts #FRONTLINEdance #StokeOnTrent

Connect & Collaborate 2026

News and updates

Connect & Collaborate 2026

FRONTLINEdance are inviting local deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people.....

FRONTLINEdance Invitation: A Creative Day for Parent/Carers who work in the arts, media and creative sector.

Artist Call Out! Deadline 22nd December at 10am.