All Bodies Dance Project

Translations

All Bodies Dance Project (ABDP) is an inclusive dance company located on unceded homelands of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples (Vancouver, BC). In our work, differences are regarded as creative strengths as we explore the choreographic possibilities of diverse ways of moving and perceiving. Our work straddles between labels of community-engaged and professional practice. We blur these boundaries as we prioritize new cultural practices in integrated dance and expand beyond traditional euro-centric notions of dance training to value the lived experience of movers both with and without disabilities. Our practice aims to dismantle assumptions, biases and default notions around contemporary dance, the theatre and the dancing body. We approach accessibility tools and practices as sources of generative artistic possibility that welcome new understandings of the body in motion. Through training and mentorship ABDP creates opportunities for diverse artists to research and create innovative, inclusive dance.

All bodies 2.png — Translations

Translations is a sixty-minute, immersive performance for small audience groups created by All Bodies Dance Project in collaboration with VocalEye (Canada’s first live descriptive arts service for the blind). Accessible to both blind and sighted audience members, Translations is experienced through the sound of movement, the sensation of air moving, and images drawn in one's imagination from descriptive language. The piece explores the tools of live description with dance created specifically for the "non-visual senses." Translations invites diverse audiences to consider their own perceptions and the ways they typically access art and the world around. The work is choreographed and performed by a team of artists (with and without disabilities) who researched alongside artistic consultants from the blind community.
Photo credits: Martin Borden

Due to the nature of the work as a piece designed specifically for the non-visual senses, there is no video documentation of the piece.

Performance History of Translations

Research showings (invited guests only) - September 2018: The Roundhouse Arts & Cultural Centre (4 shows)

November/December 2018: The Dance Centre (6 shows)

November 2019 co-presented with Boca del Lupo, Performance Works, Granville Island (12 shows)

Project Details

Project created by: Naomi Brand in collaboration with Vocal Eye, artists and consultants

Key Collaborators:

Director and Dancer: Naomi Brand

Collaborator/Executive Director of VocalEye: Steph Kirkland

Performers / Collaborators: Romham Gallacher Rianne Svelnis Carolina Bergonzoni Harmanie Taylor Danielle Wensley Adam Grant Warren

Guides: Andrea Cownden, Daisy Thompson, Collin van Uchelin

Collaborator/ Blind Consultant Carmen Papalia

Blind consultant Amy Amantea

Blind consultant Videographer: Martin Borden

Audience: Translations is intended for mixed audiences of blind, partially sighted and sighted people. The 60-minute work is accessible to persons with and without disabilities and is most suited for 18+. Audience capacity is limited to 10 per performance.

Length in minutes: 60-75 minutes - Full-length piece

Space required: This work is built for a theatre or other indoor spaces. This piece does not use a traditional theatre audience setup so can be adapted to any large, indoor, physically accessible (including washrooms) space that is relatively soundproof. TRANSLATIONS could work well in a gymnasium or large open room and can be adapted to fit a range of sized spaces.

Preparation required: Minimum 8 hours working in the space prior in order to set up and adapt to venue.

General technical requirements: Required a large, accessible (including washroom and dressing room) soundproof space.

Availabilities: FALL 2021, WINTER 2022, SPRING 2022, SUMMER 2022, FALL 2022, WINTER 2023, SPRING 2023, SUMMER 2023

Number of performers on tour: 3-5 depending on engagement

Number of support staff on tour: 0-3 depending on engagement

Community Engagement Activities

This work is very flexible and adaptable and could be presented with local artists included in the roles of guides. This would involve a workshop leading up to the presentation of the work where community members would learn guiding techniques and the "choreography of translation" that we use in the piece. All Bodies Dance Project is available for a number of different outreach/engagement activities including dance classes, workshops, artist talks and lecture-demonstrations. Activities can be tailored to the specific needs, desires and demographics of a particular community or presentation context.

- Inclusive dance class (1.5-2 hours) open to persons with and without disabilities

- Artist Talk/Lecture-Demonstration/Documentary screening about the making of Translations (1 hour + Q & A discussion)

- Dance for the non-visual senses workshop (Flexible structure, 2 hour – 2 day). An interactive workshop introducing some of the techniques and ideas used in Translations as well as some of the issues and considerations in creating dance for blind or partially sighted audience members.

Flexible depending on number of artists and length of engagement minimum $100/hour per artist.

Contact: All Bodies Dance Project, info@allbodiesdance.ca

Website: allbodiesdance.ca

Facebook: allbodiesdancepage

Instagram: allbodiesdance