Kaleidoscope

Date: Wednesday 14 January 2026

This opening session sets the scene for Kaleidoscope, introducing the principles of creative integrated access. Led by Access Artist Lily Norton and Co-Artistic Director Lucy Bennett, the session explores how we define access, who it’s for, and what it takes to work in this way. Together we’ll unpack ideas like disability gain, creative limitation, and the practical parameters that shape accessible projects. Expect discussion, reflection, and shared resources to build a collective foundation for the weeks ahead.

Date: Thursday 15 January 2026

Join Deaf video designer and creative captioner Ben Glover as they uncover how captions can transcend translation and become a core part of a performance’s design. With a practice spanning theatre, film, and digital realms, Ben will guide us through balancing captioning with other artistic elements, adapting strategies for different budgets and contexts. We’ll also explore sonic access, Deaf culture, and the absence of BSL in Lived Fiction, which Ben collaborated with Stopgap on. 

Date: Wednesday 21 January 2026

Join Amelia Lander-Cavallo, a Blind artist, researcher and co-founder of Quiplash, a pioneering queer and disabled-led company, for a hands-on workshop that reimagines audio description (AD) as a dynamic, creative tool rather than a supplementary service. This session introduces participants to the fundamentals of AD, exploring various delivery methods and showcasing exemplary integrated practices. Through interactive exercises, you’ll gain an idea of how to weave AD into the structure, narrative, and dramaturgy of your work, transforming it into an integral element of storytelling. 

Date: Thursday 22 January 2026

Drawing on the creation process for Lived Fiction, this session explores how audio description (AD) can inform and transform choreographic and dramaturgical choices. We’ll reflect on the specific challenges and opportunities AD presents for dance, and what we learned when integrating AD into Lived Fiction – from sound-based practices and voice work, to questions of who gets to speak.

Through discussion and practical exploration, we’ll consider how audio description can help us decentre sight and expand the sensory language of performance.

Date: Wednesday 28 January 2026

This session will introduce relaxed performance practice, explore sensory barriers in a range of performance environments, and provide the opportunity to learn about established and emerging accessibility provisions such as Visual Stories, Sonic Stories and Light Maps.

The session will be delivered by Jess Thom (Co-Artistic Director) and Dr Will Renel (Director of Research) from Touretteshero.

Date: Thursday 29 January 2026

This session explores the practice of relaxed performance in the context of Lived Fiction, showing how access can shape both the audience experience and the work itself. We’ll look at lighting, sound, and touch tours, alongside wraparound materials like visual and sonic guides – and how creative compromises can support a fully inclusive environment.

We’ll consider how to take ownership of access for our own shows, navigating diverse audiences, venues, and performance spaces, while discovering how relaxed approaches can influence form, function, and performer experience.

Date: Tuesday 3 February 2026

This closing session brings together ideas across Kaleidoscope and focuses on practical steps for producing accessible work.

We will explore how to work with consultants and focus groups, gather and respond to feedback, and navigate funding for inclusive practice.

The session also considers the importance of trust – between audiences, programmers, performers, producers, and collaborators – and how it underpins successful creative access.