The first Access Ballet Collective meeting | A shared commitment to change
Written by Suzie Birchwood, Chair of the ABC launch, this blog captures the shared momentum to unlock ballet’s future through access and equity.
Defying Gravity | the art of inclusive partner and contact work
Dance artist Emily Lue-Fong explores how inclusive contact work reshapes traditional partnering, highlighting the trust and communication that make moving with different bodies truly transformative.
Leading with Passion | Representation, responsibility, and the power of advocacy
Senior Dance Artist Hannah reflects on her journey into leadership, with insights into her roles as dancer, advocate and board member.
Pausing with Purpose | Reflecting is not the same as resting
Co-Artistic Director Lucy Bennett shares insights from our reflective start to the year
Reflections on a Dance Journey | An interview with Dermot Farrell
Meet one of our associate artists Dermot Farrell as he reflects on his personal dance journey in an interview with our Access Artist Lily Norton.
Who gets to be lucky? | Flipping the script with Lived Fiction
Co-Artistic Director Lucy Bennett introduces the thinking behind Stopgap’s evolving approach to making and platforming work with and by Disabled dance artists.
Advocating for Change | Bringing Together Disabled Dance Leaders
Project Manager James Greenhalgh outlines the 2022-2023 collaboration between Oriente Occidente and Stopgap Dance Company to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in the Italian and UK dance scenes.
Never Stop Learning | The impact of Home Practice
As our Home Practice journey comes to an end, Communications Manager, Hollie Park, catches up with Rehearsal Director and Home Practice Teacher, Amy Butler and Content and Access Artist, Lily Norton to reflect on the project, and discover what we have learned on both an individual and organisational level.
Celebrating the longevity of Stopgap Dance Company | Top tips for inclusive success
January 2023 marked 20 years since Lucy, Laura and Chris began their careers with Stopgap Dance Company. Lucy and Laura are now Co-Artistic Directors, and Chris is a resident choreographer. To mark the achievements of the last 20-years, Executive Producer Sho Shibata spoke to the Co-Artistic Directors Lucy and Laura to come up with some top tips on how to grow a successful inclusive company.
Cultivating Community | Creating a sense of belonging through Youth Dance
As another year in creative learning draws to a close with our annual Winter Platform, we reflect on the sense of community fostered in our youth companies, sharing all the ways we nurture young disabled dancers and invest in their progression.
Supporting Marginalised Artists to Thrive | Introducing Chris Pavia’s new outdoor dance work
Executive Producer Sho Shibata shares an insight to Chris Pavia and his work and invites other key industry players to support more marginalised artists.
Professional Placement | Nurturing a space for progression
Emily Lue-Fong, former Professional Placement student turned Frock understudy and Access worker, and mentor Christian Brinklow share their experiences and learnings from Emily’s year with the company…
Where Is Home? | Insights into Nadenh's choreographic practice
In this signature blog, dancer and emerging choreographer Nadenh Poan reflects on his latest choreographic project with content and access artist Lily Norton
We Don’t Have to Dance the Same to Dance Together | Introducing Dance for Kids with IRIS
Executive Producer Sho Shibata introduces Stopgap’s exciting new digital venture that will help us deepen our engagement with all types of children.
Inclusive Pathways for Young Disabled Creatives | Stopgap Stories
Content and Access Artist Lily asks the question ‘How can autistic and learning-disabled artists be empowered to develop and progress their creative voice and practice?’.
Dance Tapes | Exploring dance as an accessible audio experience
Our Projects Manager, James Greenhalgh, introduces our new sound-based digital dance production in collaboration with six disabled dance artists.
Diversity as a Creative Force | the role of disabled dancers for innovation
Head of Talent Development Laura Jones sends out a reminder of the valuable contribution disabled dancers can make to the art-form of dance.
New Year, New Horizons | building a better future for disabled dance creatives
Executive Producer Sho Shibata reflects on key drivers and outlines the kind of new partnership working the company needs to undertake if we are to build a better future for disabled dance creatives.
2021 - A Year in Review | Yielding Change
Artistic Director Lucy Bennett reflects on the smaller conversations that have led to the bigger ambitions within Stopgap’s new company mission. Lucy connects Stopgap’s big words to the detailed artistic work the artists have tussled with during 2021.
Sg2 Apprentice Company | Investing in the future of the dance sector
In this Signature Blog Assistant Artistic Director, Siobhan Hayes, delves into the how and why of Stopgap's apprentice company Sg2 and reflects on their three year journey.
Sg2 Apprentice Company Graduation
Stopgap's apprentice company Sg2 will be celebrating the end of their three year journey with us on Wednesday 29th September. We are marking this milestone with a watch party over on our YouTube Channel at 7.30pm-8pm UK time.
Feeling Split | Balancing Dance Careers and Motherhood
In this Signature Blog our outgoing Communications Manager, Helga Brandt, spent time with some of Stopgap's new mothers to reflect on balancing a career in the dance industry with parenthood...
Beyond The Waves: Reflections on a Process | Signature Blog
Tom Goodwin reflects on his role supporting Chris Pavia in his latest independent choreographic project…
Back On The Road | Signature Blog
Stopgap gets back on the road with outdoor arts, but can Dance really build back better for disabled artists?
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