As 2025 draws to a close, we caught up with our Future Leaders to hear about their experiences since joining the programme in September. In part one of the series, Kajsa shares what she’s been working on so far, along with her highlights from the past three months.
Listen to Kajsa reading via Soundcloud
What have you been working on since the start of the Future Leaders programme?
Since the start of Future Leaders, I have been very busy getting to know the company’s practice through workshops, classes as well as watching the company perform Lived Fiction. Myself and Laura Jones (Co-Artistic Director) have been delivering CPD Workshops focusing on Artificial Things at Fabric’s Dance two locations in Nottingham & Birmingham, and myself, my fellow future leader Will, Laura and our executive producer Lucy Glover went to IETM in Bradford. It has been lovely to connect with international companies and practitioners as well as artists and teachers who work in the UK.
IETM in Bradford
On the right, Kajsa stands holding a microphone with two hands. Her dark blonde hair draped over her shoulders. One the left, a second person is mostly hidden as they hold a large sheet of paper covered in writing.
Rambert School Residency
A group shot of the Stopgap team, and vocational students from Rambert School, a mixture of Disabled and non-Disabled, standing and wheelchair dancers - they smile and wave or pose for the camera.
Is there a particular highlight or moment from the past three months that stands out to you?
A big highlight for me was being part of a Stopgap wide workshop where we got to work with the vocational students of Rambert School. We shared our practice as a company through creative tasks, class and sharing parts of the work Lived Fiction, but we also got to share our knowledge as disabled and neurodivergent artists navigating the industry and it made for some really important conversations, which I hope there will be more of as I continue to work as a Future Leader.
Has anything about the experience surprised you so far?
This isn’t a surprise per se, but it’s been a wonderful feeling to feel like I have been with Stopgap for much longer than three months! The time has gone very quickly but it also feels like I have been here for much much longer than I have. It is truly a family where everyone looks after each other and it’s wonderful to be part of.
What have you enjoyed most during this period?
I’ve really enjoyed our morning classes and studio time, it’s really lovely when we all get to practice and dance together. I also love our Monday morning check-ins!
Stopgap's Future Leaders
At Stopgap, we believe the next generation of Disabled leaders needs the opportunity, support, and space to thrive. That’s why we’ve created the Future Leaders Programme – a unique, paid initiative designed for Deaf, Disabled, and neurodivergent mid-career arts professionals.
Find out more about our Future Leaders Programme