The Ethical Turn in Performance Based Collaborative Practice – Decentering the Dance Artist in a Collaborative Context

As theatre and dance increasingly engage in co-creation with diverse publics, and communities of interest and place, Create is delighted to partner with Dance Ireland to offer “The Ethical Turn in Performance Based Collaborative Practice – Decentering the Dance Artist in a Collaborative Context”. This will be an interactive workshop for dance/theatre/live performance artists engaging in or learning about collaborative practice, to be held on Friday 13 May.

Led by artists Cathy Coughlan and Tobi Omoteso, this day-long workshop will explore fun, open and authentic co-creation, and the duty of care and respect necessary as dance artists working in a collaborative context with diverse communities.  Throughout the day you will be engaged in a process that uses dance, movement and informal discussion to give space and time for attendees to consider themes such as motivations and methods, structures and supports, language and legacy.

This workshop is part of a series which will explore complex ethical questions that emerge in performance-based collaborative practice. The workshops will examine the power relations that come into play in such collaborations and the need to create an ethical framework that opens up questions around integrity, the process of exchange, adaptability, honesty and reflexivity as well as representation and legacy.

Application

There is a limited number of places for this workshop. To apply, please email Vance Lau at vance[at]create-ireland.ie with 100-200 words on why you are interested in attending this workshop and your latest biography. The deadline for application is Thursday 28 April, 4pm. A nominal fee of €15 (€10 for Dance Ireland/ Create members) will apply. Light refreshments will be provided.

Please indicate in your email if you have any access requirements that would make the workshop more comfortable for you.

Cathy Coughlan is a multidisciplinary artist working across visual arts, film and dance-theatre contexts to create hybrid works for gallery and theatre spaces, as well as devising site specific and community responsive projects Nationwide.

In 2020 Cathy took up a new role at Project Arts Centre, as Project Potential Coordinator. Going beyond access and engagement, Project Potential is a space for complexity and nuance, where there is an intention to work in an authentically inclusive way, across all areas of the organisation.

Cathy trained as a professional dancer in the UK (1994-97) and continued her arts training with The National College of Art and Design, Fine Art Dept. (2005). Her work has been supported by Arts Council Ireland, Create, Dublin City Council, South Dublin Co.Co., Rua Red Arts Centre, Laois Co. Co., Kildare Co.Co., The Dunamaise Arts Centre, Dance Ireland, Dublin Fringe Festival and Shawbrook.

As an artist working in a collaboration with communities she has delivered projects and performances in association with Kildare County Council, Visual Gallery Carlow, Tipperary Dance Platform, Tallaght Community Arts, RADE, Common Ground, Create, Focus Ireland, the Fatima Regeneration Project, Bealtainne Festival, Dunamaise Arts Centre, Dublin City Council, Dance Ireland and Coisceim Dance Theatre – Broadreach.

Tobi Omoteso is an internationally acclaimed Nigerian/Irish B-boy (Breakin’ /Breakdancer) and Hip-Hop Freestyle dancer, training at Broadway Dance Centre,West Bronx, New York and Breakbeat Dance Studios, Waterford, Ireland. Tobi has been dancing for over 20 years and supports the foundations of this dynamic and Influential dance form with his B-boy crew – RECESSION SQUAD NINJAS.

Tobi is the curator and director of the hugely popular TOP 8 STREET DANCE BATTLE that brings together the best of Irish and International Street dancers and Hip-hop artist to existing and new audiences – now heading into its 8th year, the event was part of Dublin Dance Festival For 3 consecutive years.

Tobi is a board member of CoisCéim Dance Theatre, part of Dance Sport Federation of Ireland/Breakin Ireland Head of Athlete Commission and supported by the Arts Council of Ireland. As a dance facilitator, he has designed and delivered youth programmes teaching in schools, youth groups and established dance organizations, and has brought his knowledge of Hip-Hop and breakin’ culture into a wide variety of youth and academic contexts.

As a choreographer and performer, Tobi’s work has been presented nationally and internationally, including atDublin Dance Festival, WHAT NEXT dance festival (Limerick), Cork Midsummer Festival, Glor Dance Platform (Co. Clare), Sproi Festival (Waterford), , Eva Biannual International Contemporary Arts Festival, SODEA Festival, VISUAL Carlow, 1916 Easter Rising Commemorations in Croke Park, The Abbey Theatre (Dublin), Loud Base Hip-hop induction Africa (Nigeria) and Irish Arts Center (New York).

COVID guidelines

We believe that it is essential to keep everyone as safe as possible and therefore would like to make you aware of our suggestions before you come on the day:

– Please wear a face mask indoors

– Please continue to use good sanitation with hand washing and sanitising

– If you have any COVID symptoms, please do not attend the workshop

As part of Dance Ireland’s Health & Safety commitments, we will provide:

– Increased ventilation where possible

– Regular comfort breaks

– Increased sanitisation of touch points