Last week DanceXchange played host to internationally renowned Australian choreographer Shaun Parker (of Shaun Parker Dance Company), his two company members Joshua and Ghenoa, Assistant Choreographer Corey Baker and three International and UK based artists; Lewis Major, Wren Ball and Sabrina Ribes. The parks in the West Midlands became a hub of creativity and play for the artists, who were researching and developing for a brand new site specific dance piece – Playground (working title).
Playground (working title) is an exciting commission by choreographer Australian Artist Shaun Parker (of Shaun Parker Company) created specifically for parks, taking dance to the heart of communities. The dance piece uses existing children’s playground equipment as the set, creating a family-friendly performance piece that will tour to playgrounds around the West Midlands. It is also part of the Outdoor Dance Programme, which forms a major strand of the Dancing for the Games programme, connecting local communities with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games through dance.
The research and development week was largely spent visiting parks and playgrounds across the region. Throughout the week the dancers explored the art of play, experimented with contemporary movement, parkour and street dance on the slides, swings and climbing frames. They hung upside down on monkey bars and flew around the roundabouts. It was great to see the children engaging with their movement, in awe of their physicality. I even got to have a go on a zip wire, being pushed back and forth simulating a ball. They weren’t down heartened when the nice weather subsided towards the end of the week; they developed movement in the studio instead, focusing on partner work. On the last day we held a photo shoot in glorious sunshine in Tudor Grange Park, Solihull, displaying strong images of the dancers in bright costumes, and the colourful playground equipment in the background, so keep your eyes peeled for the photos.
I thoroughly enjoyed the research week, the company were all such a pleasure to work with, and after spending all week in children’s playgrounds I feel I can safely say that I am now a children’s playground equipment connoisseur. I look forward to working with them again next year. Shaun and the dancers will all be returning in April 2012 to begin the creation of the outdoor piece and then will embark on their tour of the West Midlands on 3 May 2012 for 6 weeks.
Look out for the playground extravaganza coming to a park near you; further information will be available on our website soon.
DanceXchange [dx] is a dance house dedicated to the production and distribution of high quality dance, and has excellence, innovation, education and inclusion at its heart.
dx takes the best British dance to a worldwide stage, brings outstanding talent from across the world to Birmingham, and has a growing reputation as a producer. dx also engages people from all backgrounds in healthy dance activity, and nurtures young people to help shape the dance artists and leaders of the future.
We are a registered charity and receive core funding from Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council. We rely on income from a wide range of trusts, foundations and private sources to deliver our projects.
We are keen to maintain our theatre and studios to the highest standard and to further our commitment to participation, access and artistic excellence. In order to do so, financial assistance from individuals, private sources and business is vital.
To find out how you can get involved and make a donation, please contact us on 0121 689 3170 or info@dancexchange.org.uk.
