The Future of Inclusivity in Dance, post-pandemic | Signature Blog
Our Executive Producer, Sho Shibata, writes about what we learned from sustaining inclusive dance classes during a pandemic...
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My Journey with Stopgap | a Breakthrough experience
This article follows Lara as she reflects on her 6-month internship with Stopgap, through the Artswork Breakthrough scheme. She shares how her passion for movement and her neurodivergent perspective shaped her journey into the creative industry, and how the role of Creative Learning Assistant allowed her to explore different aspects of creative work, while building confidence and developing new skills.
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The first Access Ballet Collective meeting | A shared commitment to change
Written by Suzie Birchwood, Chair of the Access Ballet Collective's first meeting, this blog captures the powerful momentum in the room as sector leaders and disabled artists came together in Birmingham with a shared hunger to unlock ballet’s future through access, equity and collective action.
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The evolution of Stopgap | Vicki Reflects (part 2)
Founding Artistic Director Vicki Balaam continues to reflect on the origins of Stopgap and her personal journey with the company
Inclusive Contemporary Dance Fundamentals with Groundwork | Home Practice
Get grounded with our Home Practice Groundwork series...
From a secret rebellion, to a public display of defiance... | Vicki Reflects (part 1)
Vicki Balaam, Founder of Stopgap and current Chair of our board, reflects on humble beginnings and those that supported the company from it's inception...
Reflecting back & Looking Forward | Home Practice
Our new season of Home Practice starts 11 January, so we wanted to reflect back on when the pandemic began and how we evolved Home Practice.
Hannah’s Home Practice Diary | Home Practice
Today Hannah shares with you her Home Practice diary and discusses a few of the key points from a selection of her favourite sessions from last year.
Artificial Things | Sarah Crompton's five best dance of 2020
'With the dancers moving from anxiety to uncertain joy, felt like a summary of the year'
2020 ... A year in review | Sho reflects
2020 has been a challenging year for all of us, but there have been some triumphs against many a adversities... In this blog, Executive Producer Sho Shibata reflects on some of the achievements.
Coping with Change | Amy reflects
Amy reflects on this year full of change, with personal anecdotes from what has been a very strange and unpredictable year...
Artificial Things featuring David Toole to be broadcast on BBC
In memory of Dave Toole and to mark 25th anniversary of Disability Discrimination Act, BBC Arts are broadcasting our dance film Artificial Things on Weds 18 November on BBC Four.
Translating Practice | How do you create a ballet class that is accessible?
Happy world ballet day 2020! Before access worker Millie left Stopgap, she was really interested in how we could translate classical ballet and make it accessible. This blog contains some of her research and ways to approach translating ballet.
Laban and Inclusive Approaches | Abbie's MA Research Project
In this blog, Sg2 Apprentice Abbie Thompson discusses her fascinating MA Research Project...
We are devastated by the passing of Dave Toole OBE
Artistic Director Lucy Bennett reflects on the titanic figure that he was for the performing arts.
Getting to Grips with YouTube | Home Practice
Anna has been one of the masterminds behind getting Home Practice online and out to the world. In this blog she talks all things YouTube, offering us an insight into the highs and lows of getting Home Practice out to you all!
All Things Access in a Pandemic
Access worker, understudy and Youth Company teacher Millie (Amelia Clarke) reflects on the evolution of her duties as an access worker in the pandemic…
Musings from Sir Dave
We’re bringing you a few reflections from Dave, as he reflects back on his career highlights, dance and a little bit of politics.
A Trip with Translation
Artistic Director Lucy Bennett explores the origins of 'translation' for Stopgap, and reflects on its development and importance over the years...
Seed | Home Practice
Welcome to the second week of Stopgap’s NEW online dance programme: HOME PRACTICE. In this blog Tom introduces our Home Practice Seeds...
Groundwork | Home Practice
Welcome to Week One of Stopgap's NEW online dance programme
Keeping up with inclusive dance | Home Practice
In this blog, Laura Jones outlines the aspirations of our new online dance programme Home Practice and the impact Covid-19 has had on disabled individuals.
Comfort Zones | Home Practice
Amy Butler re-examines the dancer’s comfort zone, the role Home Practice plays in learning at home and themes of exploration for future sessions...
Learning is unpredictable… | Home Practice
Interim Assistant Artistic Director Tom Goodwin reflects on the process of designing Home Practice and the flexibility of learning…
It’s coming home... | Home Practice
Dance practice is coming home, and it might just stay there too | Artistic Director Lucy Bennett introduces Home Practice...
Injury Prevention at Home with Alice
Dancer and Teacher Alice Shepperson shares with us her top tips for preventing injuries whilst dancing and working at home…