STOPGAP

Their mission is to create an inclusive world where diversity is not just accepted but pursued, a world where no one is limited by prejudice against Deaf, Disabled, or neurodivergent people.

Working with an artform shaped by human touch and energised by the spark of connectivity, our work demonstrates the compelling power of diversity and inclusivity. We move together to create a remarkable experience that transforms society’s perceptions of difference and dismantle the inequity of privilege, in dance and in all aspects of living, collaborating, and creating together as humans.

The company are a global leader of disability access in dance and continuously examine best practice. We actively advocate for the industry and the wider world to become more inclusive.

Samarbetsparter för att göra detta möjligt är Dansalliansen, Danscentrum Väst,  Språng, Danskompaniet Spinn och RTV.

Morning company class

Laura and Cherie will lead you through a professional-level company class, using Stopgap’s inclusive training methods, developed in collaboration over time with the diverse creative team. Building over the four mornings, class will cover various elements, including warm-up to tune in to your body and developing specific dance skills through a blend of improvisation and structured movement sequences. The class explores the importance of connection physically within our own bodies, with others through contact and collaboratively through dance.

These workshops will guide, build and develop you as dance artists and collaborators.  Each day will have it’s own theme drawing on Stopgap’s Inclusive Practice.  Building an open and non-judgemental setting, we will offer explorations with time to share and reflect. 

Monday: Exploring and developing individual personal movement vocabulary.  This afternoon will focus on getting to know your body and preferred way of moving through the use of textures and open language explorations.

Tuesday: Movement translation.  Building on the self discoveries from Monday, we will explore how we can create a shared movement vocabulary.  We will find unity across our diverse dancing bodies through observation, reflection and collaboration.

Wednesday: Creative and choreographic.  A chance to play and discover, you will be guided through a creative task, inspired by Stopgap's current practice.   

Cherie Brennan (she/her), Community Engagement Artist, trained at the University of Surrey with a focus in Contemporary and Traditional African and Caribbean Dance Forms. She joined Stopgap in 2013 as part of her placement year and after graduating with BA Hons in Dance and Culture and a 1st for her placement year in 2015, she re-joined Stopgap as an Access worker.

Since then Cherie has been Access Officer, Creative Learning Associate, Youth Leader and now Community Engagement Artist (3 days a week). Within this time she has performed in Moon Language, co- managed an international inclusive choreographic lab, was integral in the research of The Enormous Room which she then went on to tour with as Assistant Stage Manager, as well as observing and receiving in house teacher training to support, perform with or lead Stopgaps youth companies as well as teaching outreach workshops and Summer intensives. 

Laura Jones (she/her) Co-Artistic Director joined Stopgap in 2001 where she has been integral to the growth and direction of the company.  She is a fierce advocate for dance and disability, inclusion and equality, advancing the sector through teacher training in inclusive practice, public speaking and consultancy work.

Laura started her training at Linda Butler School of Dance, aged 5.  Having sustained a spinal injury in 1998, Laura went on to become the first wheelchair user to complete 100% of the A-Level dance syllabus.  Since then, she has accumulated a wealth of experience, working with numerous choreographers, gaining extensive creative and performance experience, touring internationally in both traditional and non-traditional settings, including Street Arts festivals and Rural Touring.

She is on the board of trustees for East London Dance and English Folk Dance and Song Society, where she has a focus on Artists, Safeguarding and Diversity.