Annie-Rose dancing in a studio. She smiles brightly at a blurred figure in the foreground, one arm swinging forward as her chin-length brown hair flies to the side with her movement. Annie is a Disabled white woman in her mid-20s, she wears a royal blue t-shirt and dances in front of a wall of large windows.
Today, on International Dance Day, we wanted to take a moment to reflect and celebrate what the future of dance worldwide might look like when we pursue diversity and the creative potential of an alternative way of doing things.
Stopgap invest all that we do to create a more diverse dance sector for the future. Last week we announced The Working Group, a collective of inclusive dance organisations working to challenge ourselves and others to increase and sustain the presence and representation by Disabled people in the dance workforce and its leadership. You can see the full statement here. Watch this space, we mean business!
Lived Fiction is about to have its UK premiere (14 May, Brighton) and is our most ambitious work to date. A manifestation of our 20 year history, it is an invitation to diverse audiences worldwide to experience dance in a new way. Book your tickets here.
We are delighted to witness the growth and influence of our inaugural Future Leaders, Annie-Rose Grantham and Monique Dior Jarrett. They are about to enter the next phase of their journey, below Assistant Producer/General Manager, Annie-Rose shares some reflections so far and her hopes for the future.
What drew you to the Future Leaders programme?
With over 5 years of experience in the industry, I have worked in the dance, theatre and film/television sector, I thought that the Future Leaders programme was an opportunity I could not turn down. I was eager to develop my skills as a producer/general manager in order to achieve the goal of being an agent, creating my own agency or becoming a producer in the next year or two. I was attracted to the opportunity more so because it was aimed for Deaf, Disabled or Neurodivergent individuals, knowing that there are not many opportunities like this in UK.
As someone with a Disability I have vast understanding and passion for Disability, inclusion and accessibility. Having battled for inclusive work and rights, I knew Stopgap’s work ethic included these, and I was keen to learn new skills and knowledge from a company whose culture I admire.
Can you share something you have learned on your journey so far?
Since joining the Future Leaders programme I have learnt so much, one of my main learning points is managing a tour for the company and the different communications and requirements needed, as well as managing work load, and problem solving when new difficulties have arisen. I have learnt to deal with these areas effectively and find ways to resolve and complete, but also take time and allow myself to make mistakes, as this is what helps us to develop, learn and flourish.
What is one of your hopes for the future /of the dance industry?
I hope to increase the number of Deaf, Disabled or Neurodivergent leaders within the industry and voice that our representation matters, that we can contribute and make change in society. I would like for this to open new doors and showcase individuals strengths within a company and how it is valued. I aspire to work as an agent or producer in the industry and hope to create opportunities like I have been given, increasing the representation of Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent leaders in wider society.