Dancing After Having a Baby
KJ gives her advice and experience of going back to work as a dancer after having a baby.
Looking back at Frippery
Hear from Yasmin about her favourite memories from our community show Frippery, from creative process to the exciting performance.
5 ways to stay fit and healthy over summer
Fin shares five ways to help any dancer stay strong and healthy during over the summer.
Sg2 Top Tips - Sander
Sander gives 3 top tips for starting your dance training
Jade's farewell
Tuesday, 4 June, 2019
Our University of Surrey placement student, Jade, summerises the last 9 months with the company...
Astrid's experience at Stopgap
Recently, we welcomed student Astrid for a week long work experience. Here she tells us what she got up to...
Jade's Placement Project
As part of her placement with us, Jade organised a performance for Guildford Youth Company. Here she explains what she's done and the process leading up to the big event...
Hannah's Japan Experience
Following their exciting trip to Japan touring The Enormous Room, Hannah shares her experience on a very busy few weeks...
.jpg "Chris's New Duet!")
Chris's New Duet!
Tuesday, 2 April, 2019
Chris has been working on creating a new duet, The Journey Between, with Christian & Nadenh! Here he shares details on the duet, his choreographic process and his aspirations for the piece...
Artificial Things comes to BBC iPlayer
We are very excited to announce that our Artificial Things film will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer from Sunday 31st March! Read the full announcement here...
The Arts and Social Impact - a view from Stopgap Dance Co
Monday, 21 January, 2019
Our Executive Producer Sho Shibata elaborates on how Stopgap's artistic and developmental work strategically align to make a difference in the wider world and the industry.
"We are putting the artistic vision at the heart and rethinking how we can build out from that to affect social change."
The Road to Becoming an IRIS Teacher
Our Interim Co-Artistic Director (Maternity Cover), Siobhan, outlines the 6 easy steps to becoming an IRIS teacher...
2018 - a year in review
Wednesday, 19 December, 2018
2018 has been a very productive year for Stopgap Dance Company despite the setback of our touring van being stolen mid tour at the start of the year and our office being burgled at the end of the year… Our team called on their grit and determination to get 2018 over the finish line!
.jpg "Yasmin's First Blog")
Yasmin's First Blog
Tuesday, 16 October, 2018
Sg2 Support Worker, Yasmin, introduces herself and how she is looking forward to working with Stopgap & supporting Sg2 on their journey...
Jade Introduces Herself
Thursday, 11 October, 2018
Jade, our new student intern from the University of Surrey, introduces herself and talks about her first few weeks at Stopgap...
Introducing Sg2 Member - Sander!
Friday, 5 October, 2018
Sander, Sg2 dancer, talks about what inspires him most...
Introducing Sg2 Member - Fin!
Wednesday, 3 October, 2018
New Sg2 dancer Finlay, introduces himself; talking about how he got into dancing and shares some of his favourite past experiences...
Christian on Chris & his creative process
Christian gives us an insight into working with Chris and his creative process...
Introducing Sg2 Member - Kat!
Monday, 1 October, 2018
Sg2 member Kat writes her first blog about the change from associate to Sg2 apprentice with Stopgap and looking forward to the future...
Chris's Solo Inspiration
Ahead of his performance this weekend, Chris shares his inspiration behind the piece...
Monday Musing with Nicky
Monday, 10 September, 2018
Nicky updates us on her year with all of our lovely groups.
Hannah Talks About The Point Summer School
Monday, 27 August, 2018
Hannah talks about her experiences with choreographing during Summer School at The Point...
Hannah's Top Tips
Wednesday, 25 July, 2018
As the new Sg2 have their induction day Hannah offers some of her top tips...
Christian talks about the Seafarers
Christian writes up how the Seafarers project went and what it meant to him...
Summer Artists Lab
Thursday, 21 June, 2018
Christian updates us with what happened earlier this month at Stopgap's Summer Artists Lab...
Emily's goodbye
Thursday, 14 June, 2018
Emily writes her final blog as her time with the company comes to an end...
Anna's work experience with Stopgap
Wednesday, 11 April, 2018
Since Stopgap have become part of the AQA Dance anthology, there has been an increase in GCSE Dance students looking to spend time with Stopgap. Here, our most recent work experience student Anna, talks about her time with us.
Charlotte's last day!
Friday, 6 April, 2018
Charlotte joined Stopgap back in 2011 and today was her last day...! She first came to the company as the Administrator and worked her way up to becoming a wonderful producer. We are going to miss her very much and are wishing her all the best wishes for her new role as the producer at Nuffield Theatres in Southampton...
Monday blogging - More about Sg2
Monday, 19 March, 2018
With only just over a week to go before the Sg2 application deadline, here's your chance to learn more about the teacher training you will gain...
Monday blogging - Sg2
Monday, 5 March, 2018
With the Sg2 application deadline at the end of this month, here's a little more info about what the course involves...
Circus Skills with Hannah
Wednesday, 28 February, 2018
The team had a couple of days training with Mimbre - a London based acrobatic company - for some inspiration for the upcoming community outdoor project, The Seafarers. Hannah talks you through the two days...
.jpg "Nadenh on fliming and editing for Replay")
Nadenh on fliming and editing for Replay
Monday, 19 February, 2018
Nadenh talks about composing music, filiming and editing for Stopgap's dance channel, Replay...
Hannah on Radio 5 Live
Wednesday, 15 November, 2017
Today is your last chance to catch Hannah’s interview on Radio 5 Live. Here is her blog about the interview...
Monday Musing with AAD - The Training Habit
Monday, 13 November, 2017
Siobhan talks about her year training as Franklin Method Educator and the benefits of learning a new skill..
Farnham Youth Companies busy schedule
Friday, 3 November, 2017
Cherie fills us in on what Farnham Youth Compnay have been up to so far this term...
Siobhan's new role
Wednesday, 1 November, 2017
Siobhan discusses her new role as Assistant Artistic Director for Stopgap...
Sg Troop dancer Dermot
Friday, 27 October, 2017
Dermot writes about his time with Sg Troop and where his future goals lie...
Exploring at The Point
Monday, 23 October, 2017
Following on from last weeks "All Change Please" Monday Musing, Lucy takes us through what the team have been up to over the last couple of weeks at The Point...
Monday Musings with AD - All Change Please
Monday, 9 October, 2017
Another Monday musing with Lucy Bennett, showing that sometimes everyone has to think on their feet and go with the unknown...
The GCSE journey of Artificial Things
Monday, 2 October, 2017
ArtsPool's Director Heather Worall talks about the journey to shape "Artificial Things" into an educational resource.
Monday Musings with AD - A Helping Hand
Monday, 25 September, 2017
This weeks musings with Lucy, focuses on the female dancer...
Emily introduces herself
Monday, 18 September, 2017
Stopgap's new student intern from GSA, University of Surrey, introduces herself and talks about her first week with Stopgap.
Cherie talks about Farnham Youth Company
Tuesday, 12 September, 2017
Access Officer, Creative Learning Associate and Teacher, Cherie, recalls her journey with Farnham Youth Company...
Christian talks to us about Replay
Thursday, 24 August, 2017
Christian explains the benefits of filming Stopgap's youtube channel, Replay...
Monday Musings with AD - Making a new piece of work
Monday, 21 August, 2017
This week's musings with Lucy answer a question we often get asked when making a new production.
Erasmus Project with Christian
Friday, 18 August, 2017
Christian talks us through his best moments of last months EU Project, Erasmus...
Hannah on The Awakening
Wednesday, 16 August, 2017
Hannah reflects on the journey of The Awakening and performing at The Funky Llama festival in June...
Monday Musings with AD - YouTube
Monday, 7 August, 2017
This weeks musings with Lucy Bennett show how platforms such as YouTube allow the opportunity to be constantly learning
Where we begin - by Hannah
Friday, 4 August, 2017
Hannah writes a poem, telling us the story behind the duet Where we begin which she performed with Chris Pavia...
Monday Musings with AD - 'Zeitgeist'
Monday, 24 July, 2017
Another Monday with Artistic Director, Lucy Bennett - today's musings focus on the similarities between choreographers ideas
Monday Musings with AD - The Awakening
Monday, 10 July, 2017
In our series of Artistic Director blogs, this Monday brings you The Awakening and behind the scenes of being a choregorapher
East African project - with Christian
Tuesday, 4 July, 2017
Following on from Lucy's blog about creating via Whatsapp, here's Christian's view on the 5 day project working with the 2 dancers from Kenya...
Monday musings with AD - Creating via Whatsapp
Monday, 19 June, 2017
Lucy writes about the new exciting creative process for Stopgap's collaboration with 2 East African companies
.jpg "ISTD Springboard: Hannah's reflections")
ISTD Springboard: Hannah's reflections
Tuesday, 13 June, 2017
We hear from Hannah as she talks about her experience of teaching rep from The Awakening as part of an ISTD Springboard workshop at Urdang Academy in April...
Athens Residency: Hannah's notes
Monday, 15 May, 2017
Hannah shares her experience at the Athens Residency in March...
.jpg "Cairo Residency: part 2")
Cairo Residency: part 2
Thursday, 27 April, 2017
See how the final days of the Cairo Residency unravelled in Christian's eyes...
Cairo Residency: part 1
Tuesday, 25 April, 2017
Read Christian's day-by-day record of the workshop residency the team led out in Cairo...
An Assistant Stage Manager's blog
Thursday, 23 March, 2017
Cherie reveals the exciting duties as an Assistant Stage Manager on tour with The Enormous Room...
.jpg "Abi, on Apart")
Abi, on Apart
Monday, 27 February, 2017
Abigail Mortimer reflects on her experience working with Laura Jones and Suzie Birchwood...
Hannah talks about Sam
Friday, 20 January, 2017
Hannah talks about how her character, Sam, in The Enormous Room came to life...
Christian talks about The Enormous Room
Monday, 16 January, 2017
Christian brings us his thoughts and feelings of The Enormous Room before going back into rehearsals...
Siobhan and Nadenh return from Myanmar
Wednesday, 14 December, 2016
Siobhan reflects on her recent visit to Myanmar together with Nadenh Poan...
Chris talks about Orbiting Worlds
Thursday, 8 December, 2016
Chris talks us through his latest choreography project, working with dancers Nadenh & Christian...
After Moon Language
Thursday, 3 November, 2016
Nadenh relects on the Moon Language project a few weeks on...
Lexie introduces herself
Monday, 17 October, 2016
Lexie writes a blog about her first week at Stopgap...
Siobhan reflects on Moon Language
Wednesday, 12 October, 2016
With one week to go Siobhan reflects on the process of creating Moon Language
.jpeg "Six months of Stopgap")
Six months of Stopgap
Friday, 30 September, 2016
After sixth months our administrative intern Ethan signs off...
Point Summer School
Monday, 5 September, 2016
Christian summarises his first experience of The Point Summer School, working alongside Nadenh, Cherie and Hannah…
Youth Company Update!
Wednesday, 24 August, 2016
Nicky Norton gives us an update on what has been happening with the Youth Companies since her last blog...
Moon Languge creation process
Friday, 12 August, 2016
Hannah tells us about one of Stopgap’s latest projects, Moon Language…
IRIS Teacher Training
Wednesday, 10 August, 2016
Christian talks us through his experience of Stopgap’s IRIS summer school…
iF not now, when? - Part 3
Thursday, 28 July, 2016
Final part of the iF not now, when? blogs, finishing with the full provocation from Dan Daws...
Troop Farewells!
Friday, 22 July, 2016
Siobhan bids farewell to three of the Troop dancers, and talks about how exciting the futures of Troop old and new are!
Night at the Theatre
Thursday, 21 July, 2016
Hannah writes about the ideas behind Night at the Theatre and the creation process...
iF not now, when? - Part 2
Monday, 18 July, 2016
Callum continues his discussion of the day's events in this second part...
Hand Over – From step ball change to a glide
Thursday, 14 July, 2016
AD Lucy Bennett hands over to Laura Jones, Stopgap’s new Interim Artistic Director
iF not now, when? - Part 1
Wednesday, 13 July, 2016
After the huge success of Brighton Fringe and iF not now, when? Callum reflects over the proccess of creating and the final product in this first part of 3.
Chris with Swindon Dance
Friday, 1 July, 2016
Chris visited Swindon Dance last month to run a workshop. Here are some of his thoughts about the workshop and his experience...
Joining Stopgap
Monday, 20 June, 2016
One of Stopgap’s newest dancers, Meri, talks about what it’s like to join the company and her experiences over the past few months…
Interview with Silent Faces
Friday, 6 May, 2016
Lou Rogers interviews this years iF Bursary winners, Silent Faces…
The Enormous Room - the starting point
Thursday, 5 May, 2016
In this first blog about Stopgap's next major production The Enormous Room, Artistic Director Lucy Bennett talks about the overall concept and how ideas for the work developed and changed.
Introducing.. Ethan!
Thursday, 28 April, 2016
Ethan, the newest addition to the Stopgap team as their administration intern...
Nadenh in Wales
Thursday, 28 April, 2016
Nadenh writes about his latest excursion to Wales with Siobhan…
Anna & Aya's experience in Cairo
Wednesday, 27 April, 2016
Anna writes a beautiful blog of her experience teaching and choreographing with Aya, for D-Caf, a contemporary arts festival in Cairo, Egypt…
Spring Lab 2016 with Chris
Tuesday, 12 April, 2016
Here is Chris’ experience of Spring Lab 2016, discussing his thoughts on the exercises and tasks from Laura and Siobhan.
Reflections on Sg2 by Siobhan
Monday, 4 April, 2016
As Hannah and Nadenh head towards graduation from Sg2, Siobhan writes a blog reflecting on their time working together…
.jpg "Decibels Twitter Q&A with Chris")
Decibels Twitter Q&A with Chris
Monday, 21 March, 2016
Have a look at the twitter Q&A between Decibels and Chris on 3rd March - discussing arts, disability and technology!
Laura - iF Residency at The Point
Thursday, 17 March, 2016
Hear from Laura about her time working with Indepen-dance 4 at the iF Residency, and her revived choreography A:Version...
CPD sessions - by Laura & Siobhan
Wednesday, 9 March, 2016
Laura & Siobhan write up a summary about the 2 CPD days held in February…
Hello from Lily!
Friday, 26 February, 2016
Hear from Projects Intern, Lily, and how her time at Stopgap has been...
Welcoming Christian - part two
Friday, 26 February, 2016
Here’s the second part and second day for Christian, spent with original Stopgap artist Dan Watson, exploring and getting to grips with ‘letting go’…
Welcoming Christian - part one
Monday, 22 February, 2016
Introducing our latest dance artist, Christian! Here’s his first blog from his first few days spent with the team…
Sg2 Graduates!
Thursday, 18 February, 2016
Artistic director, Lucy, writes about Hannah and Nadenh’s pathway to graduation…
Returning to Creation
Monday, 15 February, 2016
In anticipation of returning for the creation of The Enormous Room, we asked Amy how taking on the role of rehearsal director for Akram Khan would influence her work at Stopgap...
Hannah teaching Farnham Youth Company
Thursday, 28 January, 2016
Hannah explains what she gets up to every Monday evening with Farnham Youth Company…
Looking back on 2015 and what's in stall for 2016
Monday, 21 December, 2015
Company Producer Sho Shibata does a whistle stop tour of Stopgap's achievements in 2015 and ponders what's in store for 2016.
Interview with Tim Casson
Wednesday, 9 December, 2015
Here is an interview with Tim Casson, sharing his experiences and thoughts behind his new work Night at The Theatre…
Motion Sound Lab - with Cherie & Nadenh
Thursday, 26 November, 2015
Working alongside Rhythmix and Surrey Arts, Cherie talks us through project Motion Sound Lab…
Henry's final blog
Tuesday, 17 November, 2015
Henry the Hoover writes about his adventures in Munich & Barcelona with Artificial Things before he settles down for the winter…
.jpg "Chris' Choreography Inspiration")
Chris' Choreography Inspiration
Monday, 16 November, 2015
Chris has been creating choreographic tasks to inspire Guildford Youth Company for their upcoming performance at our Winter Platform.
Sg2 and Tim Casson - Observations from Lily
Thursday, 12 November, 2015
Projects intern Lily was in on Sg2's first explorative creation week with Tim Casson, here are some of her observations and sketches...
Casson&Friends in collaboration with Sg2 - Creation Diary
Thursday, 5 November, 2015
See how Sg2's first week working with Tim Casson went...
New work with Tim Casson - Hannah's view
Monday, 2 November, 2015
Hannah reflects on her time with Tim Casson…
Artistic Identity (part 3) - by Lucy Bennett
Thursday, 29 October, 2015
Here’s the conclusion of Lucy’s series on Artistic Identity…
Creative Academy workshop
Wednesday, 28 October, 2015
Projects intern Lily reflects on Creative Academy workshop with Hannah and Lucy...
Artistic Identity (part 2) - by Lucy Bennett
Monday, 26 October, 2015
Lucy’s series continues: with part two focussing on Integration…
Artistic Identity (part 1) - by Lucy Bennett
Thursday, 22 October, 2015
Artistic Director, Lucy Bennett, writes a series of blogs on Artistic Identity – here’s number one out of three…
Workshop in Holland
Friday, 18 September, 2015
Nadenh and Lucy were away in Holland teaching last weekend. Cherie interviews Nadenh to find out more about the project and what they got up to…
Workshop in Bremen
Friday, 18 September, 2015
Hannah and Siobhan traveled to Bremen, Germany last weekend to teach some workshops. Cherie interviewed them both to find out more…
Guest blog from Joop: About Misiconi Dance Company
Friday, 18 September, 2015
Joop writes a blog about the ups and downs of trying to set up her own inclusive dance company and the importance behind it…
iF Platform - What happened in Edinburgh
Friday, 11 September, 2015
Here’s a blog from Lou summarising how the iF Platform was received at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2015…
Lou's Top Tips for Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Monday, 10 August, 2015
Here’s a blog with top tips for Edinburgh Festival Fringe, from our own expert Lou…
Sho's response to The Telegraph article
Wednesday, 5 August, 2015
Company Producer Sho Shibata responds to the article 'How I shamed the ballet world' by Chief Political Correspondent of The Daily Telegraph. This response is also published by The RAD Gazette in October 2015.
Lucy's response to The Telegraph article
Wednesday, 5 August, 2015
Artistic Director Lucy Bennett responds to the article 'How I shamed the ballet world' by Chief Political Correspondent of The Daily Telegraph. This response is also published by South East Dance's Everybody Issue in August 2015.
The benefits of dance
Tuesday, 4 August, 2015
Imogen Aujla PhD, Senior Lecturer in Dance and Course Coordinator MSc Dance Science at the University of Bedfordshire, writes about the well-being outcomes of dance and the positive impact our inclusive syllabus IRIS could have in promoting physical and mental health for disabled people.
Sg Troop at U.Dance 2015 - Part 3
Friday, 31 July, 2015
Here’s the final entry from Lily about Sg Troop’s time away…
Sg Troop at U.Dance 2015 - Part 2
Thursday, 30 July, 2015
The story continues with Lily, as she re-lives the second day away in Plymouth with Sg Troop…
Sg Troop at U.Dance 2015 - Part 1
Wednesday, 29 July, 2015
Sg Troop dancer, Lily, writes about the team’s time away in Plymouth, performing at U.Dance. Here’s part 1 with more entries to follow…
Postcard from Bill & Bobby - Bristol
Friday, 24 July, 2015
Here’s another postcard from the busy Bill & Bobby telling us all the news…
Young associate - Andy
Friday, 24 July, 2015
Andy, one of our Young Associates writes his first blog, telling us what he has been up to this year…
The Seafarers: Insight from Kat Ball
Thursday, 25 June, 2015
Kat Ball, Stopgap’s associate, writes about her first experience being involved in a creation process with the company for The Seafarers…
The Seafarers: Insight from Tomos
Thursday, 25 June, 2015
A few words from Sg2 dancer, Tomos about his journey throughout The Seafarers…
The Seafarers: The Production
Wednesday, 24 June, 2015
And here is the third and final part of this weeks featured blogs from Artistic Director, Lucy, summing up working on the Seafarers…
The Seafarers: The Process
Tuesday, 23 June, 2015
Here’s part 2 of Lucy Bennett’s blog; The Process behind making The Seafarers…
The Seafarers: The Concept
Monday, 22 June, 2015
Artistic Director, Lucy, has written a three-part blog leading up to Stopgap’s performance of The Seafarers as part of Portsmouth Festivities. Read part one and learn where all the concept ideas stemmed from…
Chris' Postcard from Switzerland
Wednesday, 3 June, 2015
Chris writes about his favourite moments when visiting Bern and Lugano on the company’s first leg of the Artificial Things Switzerland tour…
GYC's Performance at the Royal Albert Hall
Tuesday, 19 May, 2015
Cathy writes about Guildford Youth Company's experience performing at the Royal Albert Hall as part of 'The Freedom Game'.
Postcard from Bill & Bobby - Norwich
Monday, 18 May, 2015
Bill & Bobby keep us updated on their latest tour…
Nicky's Youth Company Catch up
Monday, 11 May, 2015
Nicky, our Dance Development Officer, updates us on what our youth companies and partnership groups have been up to so far this year…
Hannah on DanceDigital
Friday, 8 May, 2015
Hannah writes about working with DanceDigital and how the programme is working with young artists…
Dance UK conference
Thursday, 23 April, 2015
Laura talks about her involvement with Dance UK’s event, The Future: New Ideas, New Inspiration.
Farnham try out Yoga with Amy
Tuesday, 31 March, 2015
Amy joins Farnham Youth Company to teach them some Yoga for part of their ArtsAward programme…
Stopgap at Move It!
Monday, 30 March, 2015
Julia, the company’s Research Assistant, writes a blog about Stopgap’s guest appearance on the main stage at Move it, the UK’s biggest dance exhibition which takes place annually at Olympia, London.
What we love about GYC!
Friday, 27 March, 2015
Cathy gets some lovely thoughts from two of our long-standing Guildford Youth Company members…
Magpie Dance at Sadler's
Tuesday, 24 March, 2015
David writes about choreographing with Magpie Dance for their 30th Anniversary
Guest Blog from Joop about Integrance Project
Monday, 23 March, 2015
Stopgap associate, Joop, writes about her involvement within the EU project, Integrance. How her role changed during the process and what she has learnt from the project as a whole…
Guildford Youth Company's Adventure by Cathy
Wednesday, 4 February, 2015
Cathy, our student intern, writes an opening blog about a great opportunity for our Guildford Youth Company to perform at The Royal Albert Hall as part of the anniversary celebrations of the Magna Carta.
Stepping Stones with Chris
Wednesday, 4 February, 2015
Chris talks about his Saturdays with Stepping Stones
Why we created Replay by Lucy
Thursday, 22 January, 2015
Artistic Director, Lucy, writes about Stopgap's newly launched digital channel, Replay
Acrobat Skills by Chris
Tuesday, 6 January, 2015
In the last week before Christmas Stopgap had the privilege to work with two acrobats, former Cie XY acrobats Miko and Caroline from Prêt-à-Porter. Chris writes about some of the tricks we learnt that week...
Helen on Late Night Tales
Thursday, 18 December, 2014
Creative Learning Intern Helen writes about the success of Stopgap's annual Winter Community Dance Platform
GUEST BLOG: Lou Coleman
Monday, 1 December, 2014
Lou Coleman writes about her day spent with the Stopgap team exploring improvisation with objects such as leg splints and ankle supports…
Dermot on being in the Youth Company
Wednesday, 26 November, 2014
Dermot writes about his time with the Stopgap Guildford Youth Company and joining Sg Troop
Tomos on working with Theo Clinkard
Wednesday, 12 November, 2014
Tomos writes about the day Theo Clinkard came into the studio and worked with Stopgap
Chloe's two weeks with Stopgap
Wednesday, 15 October, 2014
Placement student, Chloe, writes about her experience on spending two weeks working with Stopgap and how it has opened her eyes to dance and accessibility…
IRIS Discussion & Development
Tuesday, 7 October, 2014
Julia, IRIS Research Associate, reflects on the first meetings for Stopgap’s pilot dance training programme for young disabled and non-disabled dancers…
Inclusive Yoga with Amy
Friday, 3 October, 2014
Amy talks about her explorations in teaching Inclusive Yoga at Stopgap…
Chris' thoughts on The Awakening
Tuesday, 23 September, 2014
Chris shares his experiences choreographing The Awakening and what he has learnt from the whole process…
The Awakening at South Bank Centre
Thursday, 18 September, 2014
Hannah writes a blog about her experience performing as part of the Unlimited Festival at The South Bank Centre…
Why we made The Awakening - Part 2
Friday, 5 September, 2014
Our Company Producer Sho Shibata gives his insight into producing The Awakening, which was the first touring dance production ever to be made by learning disabled choreographer (part 2 of a two-part blog. Click here for part 1).
Kaisha's Final Placement Blog
Tuesday, 26 August, 2014
Kaisha, our University of Surrey placement student, writes about her time here at Stopgap, explaining some of her favourite moments…
GUEST BLOG - Bill and Bobby
Wednesday, 20 August, 2014
Helen Bendell, this weeks Guest blogger, writes about her experience researching and developing Stopgap’s newest outdoor work, 'Bill and Bobby', commissioned by National Theatre: Performance 24th August 2014.
My role within Stopgap
Wednesday, 20 August, 2014
Nicky Norton, our Community Dance Development Officer, writes her first blog, explaining how her role came about and what her job entails…’on a jolly all week and just skipping about’ is what her husband thinks. However, this blog proves otherwise…
Ana's Blog
Thursday, 17 July, 2014
Ana, who has traveled from America to be here with us at Stopgap for a six-week placement, writes a short blog explaining her experiences of dance and disability…
Amy's Creation Blog: Part 2
Thursday, 17 July, 2014
Cherie's time with Stopgap
Wednesday, 16 July, 2014
Our Surrey University intern, Cherie, writes about her time working with Stopgap…
Cherie's Placement Project
Wednesday, 16 July, 2014
Cherie talks about the success of her placement project ‘Dance The Day Away’…
Teaching the Guildford Youth group
Wednesday, 2 July, 2014
Tomos writes about his experience teaching the Guildford Youth Group and what he has learnt from them…
Why we made The Awakening - Part 1
Thursday, 26 June, 2014
Prior to the London premiere of Chris’ new outdoor work at Greenwich and Docklands International Festival, Company Producer Sho Shibata talks about what makes Chris’ work so appealing (Part 1 of a 2 Part blog). For part 2, click here.
Amy's Creation Blog: Part 1
Monday, 9 June, 2014
Amy has been commissioned to choreograph a short dance work for Sg2's new mixed bill Exhibition, funded through Arts Council's Strategic Touring Scheme, touring in Autumn 14. In this 2 part blog Amy explains her ideas for her choreography and where she hopes it will lead…
Chris on creation of The Awakening
Monday, 9 June, 2014
Our learning disabled dance artist Chris Pavia has done a quick Q&A about his inspiration behind our new outdoor production The Awakening.
Dancer reflections: Amy Butler
Wednesday, 28 May, 2014
Farewell Spring... now bring on Summer!
Thursday, 22 May, 2014
Having completed a fruitful Spring season, Stopgap Dance Company is now preparing for the upcoming Summer tour. Company Producer Sho Shibata reflects back on Spring 2014 and looks forward to a busy Summer season.
Artificial Things: Ideas and Creative Process
Monday, 12 May, 2014
Artisitic Director, Lucy, divulges where the initial idea for Artificial Things originated and how the dancers are crucial in the creative process...
Artificial Things Design
Thursday, 8 May, 2014
Anna Jones our Theatre and Costume Designer for Artificial Things explains where the creative ideas appeared from...
Artifical Things Composers
Friday, 2 May, 2014
All three of Artificial Things composers have written about their experiences during the creation process…
Dancer reflections: Laura
Wednesday, 30 April, 2014
Responsive Teaching and CPDs by David
Wednesday, 30 April, 2014
David talks about the recent Responsive Teaching and CPD sessions he has taught over the past month, explaining where his enjoyment lies in sharing his expertise.
London Premiere!
Tuesday, 22 April, 2014
In advance to our London premiere of Artificial Things, our Company Producer Sho Shibata talks about what our audience can expect from the production.
Dancer reflections: Dave Toole
Tuesday, 15 April, 2014
GUEST BLOG - Dancing in Spite of Injury - Part Six
Monday, 14 April, 2014
Here is the final part to Jo Cork’s blog about her route to recovery. Read where her journey took her…
Dancer reflections: Chris
Monday, 7 April, 2014
GUEST BLOG - Dancing in Spite of Injury - Part Five
Tuesday, 18 March, 2014
Part five to Jo Cork’s recovery blog highlights the mental struggles you go through…
Inspired by Stopgap
Monday, 17 March, 2014
Joy writes a blog about how working with Stopgap has opened and changed her views on everyday life…
Nadenh's blog on seeing Protein Dance perform
Monday, 10 March, 2014
Sg2 went to watch Protein Dance last week. Nadenh writes up his thoughts on the performance…
Guildford Youth Company's Jenny
Monday, 10 March, 2014
Long time member of Stopgap’s Guildford Youth Company, Jenny, has written a blog on her experiences of her one-to-one sessions and the company…
Working with Guildford Youth Company
Monday, 10 March, 2014
Tomos writes a blog about his experience choreographing on Stopgap’s Youth Company…
GUEST BLOG - Dancing in Spite of Injury - Part Four
Tuesday, 4 March, 2014
Part four to Jo Cork’s blogs explains how a Stopgap company class can open the mind…
The Dunkirk Lowdown from Hannah
Tuesday, 4 March, 2014
Hannah writes a blog about the workshops and performances Sg2 did over in France
GUEST BLOG - How Stopgap inspired Joop
Tuesday, 4 March, 2014
Guest blog from Joop who worked with Stopgap during the creation process of Artificial Things and how it inspired her…
Postcard from Siobhan
Monday, 24 February, 2014
Siobhan tells us what Sg2 got up to on their most recent trip away to Dunkirk…
Cherie's experience of the premiere of Artificial Things
Monday, 24 February, 2014
Cherie writes about her experience of Stopgap’s premiere, Artificial Things…
Laura on Artificial Things premiere
Monday, 24 February, 2014
Laura talks us through the process the dancers went through leading up to the premiere of Artificial Things
Postcard from Joy
Monday, 17 February, 2014
Joy writes a blog about Stopgap’s time away in Cherbourg, learning new acrobatic skills…
Nadenh writes about working with David
Monday, 17 February, 2014
Sg2 dancer, Nadenh, has written a blog about working on David’s choreography ‘String Quartet’.
GUEST BLOG - Dancing in Spite of Injury - Part Three
Monday, 17 February, 2014
This is Jo Cork’s third blog on her journey through recovery. Find out how she’s doing…
Chris Benstead's blog on composing for Artificial Things
Tuesday, 11 February, 2014
Christopher Benstead writes a few words on his time collaborating with choreographer Yoshifumi Inao for the opening scene of Stopgap’s new production Artificial Things
.jpg "Jim Pinchen talks about composing for Stopgap")
Jim Pinchen talks about composing for Stopgap
Tuesday, 11 February, 2014
Composer Jim Pinchen writes a blog explaining how he created the music for scene two of Stopgap’s new production Artificial Things
GUEST BLOG - Dancing in Spite of Injury - Part Two
Tuesday, 28 January, 2014
Jo Cork continues her journey to recovery…Read here for part two.
Chris tells us about The Awakening
Wednesday, 22 January, 2014
Chris updates us on the process of his own choreography, The Awakening. He explains what he has been up to the past week, what he plans to do and what he enjoys about being a choreographer.
GUEST BLOG - Dancing in Spite of Injury
Tuesday, 21 January, 2014
Jo Cork, guest blogger for Stopgap, invites us to read and travel with her as she experiences the physical and mental struggles after an accident. Is there a way to keep dancing throughout the recovery? Here is part one of her discoveries…
Northern Lights by Holly
Wednesday, 18 December, 2013
Holly writes about Stopgap's first community dance platform performance, Northern Lights
Music Workshop
Thursday, 5 December, 2013
Laura writes a blog about a music workshop Stopgap were invited to participate in.
Postcard from Laura
Friday, 22 November, 2013
Leading on from our previous two postcards, Laura sums up our last stop in Bremen for our pre-premiere of Artificial Things.
Holly on month 2
Wednesday, 20 November, 2013
Holly is now in month 2 of working with Stopgap and is continuing to enjoy all the new experiences and challenges
The beginning of the EU project 'Integrance' by Amy
Wednesday, 20 November, 2013
Amy writes about the beginning of the EU project 'Integrance' at Zinc Arts
Behind the scenes and out front by Joy
Friday, 15 November, 2013
This blog shows the joys and fears of being backstage and performing with Stopgap.
Stopgap's Christmas Platform by Cherie
Friday, 15 November, 2013
Cherie tells us about her involvement in the up coming Christmas event - ‘Northern Lights’.
Postcard from Dave Toole
Tuesday, 12 November, 2013
Dave tells us the events from the tour to Spain…
.jpg "Postcard from Chris")
Postcard from Chris
Tuesday, 12 November, 2013
Chris tells us about the company’s trip away to France for the pre-premiere for Artificial Things
Nadenh on his solo 'Bound For'
Thursday, 31 October, 2013
Nadenh has been developing a solo called 'Bound For' since he joined the Stopgap team...
Cherie on weeks 2 and 3
Friday, 25 October, 2013
Cherie is at the end of her third week at Stopgap and has blogged about working with the Youth Companies and in the office
Holly's second week as part of the team
Friday, 18 October, 2013
Our Education & Arts Admin Intern, Holly, has written about her second week as part of the team and what she has been learning.
Vicki on becoming Chair of the Board
Thursday, 17 October, 2013
Vicki shares why she was thrilled to become Chair of the Board of Trustees for Stopgap at the beginning of 2013
Holly on week 1 at Stopgap
Wednesday, 16 October, 2013
Holly is working with Stopgap for 6 months as Education & Arts Admin Intern. Read about her first week here!
Cherie's first week at Stopgap
Friday, 11 October, 2013
Cherie has joined the Stopgap team on a placement from the University of Surrey and shares what she has got up to in her first week
'Critical Friends' Sharing
Monday, 23 September, 2013
Blog about the scratch sharing of Artificial Things for our ‘Critical Friends’. Producer Sho Shibata talks about the ideas behind the sharing event.
Creative Process
Monday, 23 September, 2013
Artistic Director Lucy Bennett explains the process and ideas behind the creativity for Artificial Things. Where did it all begin?
Hannah's thoughts on the Point summer school
Wednesday, 4 September, 2013
Sg2 dancer and teacher, Hannah, writes about teaching at the Point, Eastleigh for the yearly 'Elevate: Integrate' summer school
David on Section Two of Artificial Things
Tuesday, 27 August, 2013
David explains the ideas behind section two of Artificial Things
Amy's work on yoga adaptations
Wednesday, 14 August, 2013
Dance Artist and yoga teacher Amy on experimenting with the company on yoga adaptations
Anna's experiences teaching in Granada
Thursday, 25 July, 2013
Stopgap's Creative Learning Associate, Anna, writes about her week teaching in Spain as part of the Granada International Dance and Music Festival.
Creation at the University of Surrey
Wednesday, 24 July, 2013
Photos and thoughts from the dancers during the first week back in creation after 2 weeks off.
Introducing Nadenh
Tuesday, 23 July, 2013
New Sg2 dancer, Nadenh Poan, joined us from Cambodia earlier this week. Here he is introducing himself!
Hannah's research on the human body
Thursday, 11 July, 2013
Hannah has been researching the human body, how its different parts work and the difference a good diet can make.
Composer Andy on working with Stopgap
Friday, 28 June, 2013
During creation at Zinc Arts, Andy Higgs, composer for the final section of Artificial Things, has set up his own studio next to the dancers to start creating the music. He has written a blog about the experience...
Photos from week 2 at Zinc Arts
Friday, 28 June, 2013
This week almost the whole production team for Artificial Things have been in to see how everything is developing. Lucy has been working the dancers hard on developing the duets and the trio and refining and making changes.
Photos from creation at Zinc Arts
Monday, 24 June, 2013
This week we have had a lot of people come and visit us at Zinc Arts. Andy (one of the composers); Anna (design manager); Rosie (costume maker) and Richard (production manager).
Chris' Artificial Things character development
Friday, 21 June, 2013
Chris has been working on developing his character in Artificial Things
Dave Toole on working with Stopgap again
Friday, 21 June, 2013
Dave writes about returning to Stopgap to work on Artificial Things
Artificial Things creative residency at Pavilion Dance (2)
Tuesday, 18 June, 2013
Week 3 of Creation – June 2013 - photos
Artificial Things creative residency at Pavilion Dance
Monday, 17 June, 2013
Week 3 of Creation – June 2013 - the dance artists' thoughts
Working with Jozef from Rootlessroot
Monday, 10 June, 2013
Amy, David and Chris write about working with Jozef Frucek from Rootlessroot.
Ridgeway School memories by Chris
Friday, 7 June, 2013
Chris talks about his memories of going to Ridgeway School in Farnham and how he became part of Stopgap.
David's thoughts on working with Yoshi
Tuesday, 14 May, 2013
David writes about working with Yoshifumi Inao on creation part one of Artifical Things.
Hannah on performing at DAiSY Festival
Thursday, 9 May, 2013
Sg2 dancer Hannah talks about performing at the Disability Arts in Surrey (DAiSY) festival in Leatherhead
New dancer Amy Butler's first blog!
Friday, 3 May, 2013
Our new dancer Amy Butler talks about the training she's received so far on Stopgap's practice in education and outreach
Chris on working with Charlie Morrissey
Wednesday, 6 March, 2013
Stopgap Dancer Chris Pavia talks about Charlie Morrissey's professional development workshops the dancers have been receiving.
‘Artificial Things’ – An Insight from the Artistic Director Lucy Bennett
Tuesday, 12 February, 2013
Lucy talks about what Yoshifumi is developing in the studio.
‘Artificial Things’ – Week 2
Tuesday, 5 February, 2013
Here is a small snippet of what we have been up to with guest choreographer Yoshifumi Inao, who is creating the opening section of our new work Artificial Things.
'Artificial Things' – Creation Week 1
Thursday, 31 January, 2013
Here are some photos taken during our first week in the studio working on Artificial Things – Part 1
Posts before 2013
Wednesday, 23 January, 2013