All Bodies Movement Program 2024:
Special free summer classes! Tuesdays, 2-4 PM, August 20 and 27
La Troupe du Jour Theatre, 914 20th Street W. Accessible.
Register at [email protected], more info at Sans Retour
Yes! This is for you! We want to encourage All Bodies who love moving but who may face a variety of barriers to participation to take a chance and dance! In this integrated dance program, our accessible use of ensemble improvisation increases the participation of differently abled movers. Integrated dance means all abilities dance together. This practice is fun, rewarding and challenging for people of dance or non-dance backgrounds. Our approach encourages participants and instructors to work together collaboratively to adapt exercises and discover movement and artistic possibilities. This is not only fun and rewarding, it is art!
A weekly 2 hour movement improvisation class taught by Kyle Syverson, Miki Mappin and sometimes Louise Seidel, with the support of 2 mentors, one of whom is Kristen Schneider. Kristen and Louise use wheelchairs, and both were participants in our 2023 pilot program.
Classes run for 2 terms. The spring session has 8 classes which are Tuesdays, 2:30-4:30 , April 23- June 11, at the Shaw Centre.
The fall session has 8 classes, plus one rehearsal in-studio, and a performance at Persephone Theatre BackStage Stage, directed by Louise Seidel.
FAQs:
Do you accept any disability and any age?
If a person has a strong desire to participate, it is likely we can find a way. Participants and instructors will work together to find creative solutions. Mobility devices, personal helpers and guide dogs are welcome. People with invisible disabilities, and people who do not self-identify as living with a disability can also apply. We are not prepared to accept small children. We are not prepared to deal with significant behaviour issues or disorders. However we don’t want to make arbitrary limits and we know that each person is unique, so please enquire.
What kind of dance is it?
These are movement improvisation classes (sometimes known as creative movement), with the use of Contact Improvisation. Contact Improvisation is a dance form in which we attempt to really listen to our own sensations; from there, we practise moving together, using touch as a means of communication. We practise relaxation techniques, exercises to increase strength, mobility, and joy, as well as exercises or games to increase group awareness.
Is it safe?
We aim to create safer, braver spaces using consent based approaches, where people can move at their own pace, and they are treated with dignity and respect. Two teachers: Kyle Syverson, Miki Mappin with the support of 2 mentors, Annika Lessing and Kristen Schneider, are present to facilitate safety and fun! Louise Seidel is also there as an alternate teacher. Kristen and Louise use wheelchairs, and both were participants in our 2023 pilot program.
Do the facilitators have experience working with people living with disability?
We piloted the All Bodies program with an 8 week course in 2023, followed by a performance at Persephone, POWER. It was self-funded, with Louise, Kristen, Kyle, and Miki as participants.
KSAMB is inspired by working with people often excluded from dance programs and performance. We began developing an integrated dance program in 2019 with the help of a Creation Grant from Dance Saskatchewan for Time Shapers — 8 weeks with dancers from 7 to 91 years, culminating with a show at DSI. We have continued to explore the possibilities, working with experts in integrated dance:
-Kyle studied DanceAbility with Alito Alessi in Portland (2016), taught dance with SaskAbilities, and worked with Jordi Cortés of Liant la Troca in Barcelona (2023). Miki worked with Luke Anderson in Toronto (2017), and worked and performed with Liant la Troca in Barcelona (2020-23).
What if I don’t have the money?
We are offering tuition and transport subsidies, with priority given to people living with disability. Get in touch, and we can guide you through the process of applying.
What if the time or energy commitment is too much?
The two hour class is a generous amount of time so we can approach the class at a relaxed pace, with consideration for people’s needs. At any point if someone needs to rest, we encourage that. Also, if someone needs to leave early, that is fine too.
If a dancer is not able to attend all 8 sessions, that is not a problem. Also, each session can be taken in isolation - a person could take only the spring session, or only the fall session.
More information and registration — [email protected]
Special free summer classes! Tuesdays, 2-4 PM, August 20 and 27
La Troupe du Jour Theatre, 914 20th Street W. Accessible.
Register at [email protected], more info at Sans Retour
Yes! This is for you! We want to encourage All Bodies who love moving but who may face a variety of barriers to participation to take a chance and dance! In this integrated dance program, our accessible use of ensemble improvisation increases the participation of differently abled movers. Integrated dance means all abilities dance together. This practice is fun, rewarding and challenging for people of dance or non-dance backgrounds. Our approach encourages participants and instructors to work together collaboratively to adapt exercises and discover movement and artistic possibilities. This is not only fun and rewarding, it is art!
A weekly 2 hour movement improvisation class taught by Kyle Syverson, Miki Mappin and sometimes Louise Seidel, with the support of 2 mentors, one of whom is Kristen Schneider. Kristen and Louise use wheelchairs, and both were participants in our 2023 pilot program.
Classes run for 2 terms. The spring session has 8 classes which are Tuesdays, 2:30-4:30 , April 23- June 11, at the Shaw Centre.
The fall session has 8 classes, plus one rehearsal in-studio, and a performance at Persephone Theatre BackStage Stage, directed by Louise Seidel.
FAQs:
Do you accept any disability and any age?
If a person has a strong desire to participate, it is likely we can find a way. Participants and instructors will work together to find creative solutions. Mobility devices, personal helpers and guide dogs are welcome. People with invisible disabilities, and people who do not self-identify as living with a disability can also apply. We are not prepared to accept small children. We are not prepared to deal with significant behaviour issues or disorders. However we don’t want to make arbitrary limits and we know that each person is unique, so please enquire.
What kind of dance is it?
These are movement improvisation classes (sometimes known as creative movement), with the use of Contact Improvisation. Contact Improvisation is a dance form in which we attempt to really listen to our own sensations; from there, we practise moving together, using touch as a means of communication. We practise relaxation techniques, exercises to increase strength, mobility, and joy, as well as exercises or games to increase group awareness.
Is it safe?
We aim to create safer, braver spaces using consent based approaches, where people can move at their own pace, and they are treated with dignity and respect. Two teachers: Kyle Syverson, Miki Mappin with the support of 2 mentors, Annika Lessing and Kristen Schneider, are present to facilitate safety and fun! Louise Seidel is also there as an alternate teacher. Kristen and Louise use wheelchairs, and both were participants in our 2023 pilot program.
Do the facilitators have experience working with people living with disability?
We piloted the All Bodies program with an 8 week course in 2023, followed by a performance at Persephone, POWER. It was self-funded, with Louise, Kristen, Kyle, and Miki as participants.
KSAMB is inspired by working with people often excluded from dance programs and performance. We began developing an integrated dance program in 2019 with the help of a Creation Grant from Dance Saskatchewan for Time Shapers — 8 weeks with dancers from 7 to 91 years, culminating with a show at DSI. We have continued to explore the possibilities, working with experts in integrated dance:
-Kyle studied DanceAbility with Alito Alessi in Portland (2016), taught dance with SaskAbilities, and worked with Jordi Cortés of Liant la Troca in Barcelona (2023). Miki worked with Luke Anderson in Toronto (2017), and worked and performed with Liant la Troca in Barcelona (2020-23).
What if I don’t have the money?
We are offering tuition and transport subsidies, with priority given to people living with disability. Get in touch, and we can guide you through the process of applying.
What if the time or energy commitment is too much?
The two hour class is a generous amount of time so we can approach the class at a relaxed pace, with consideration for people’s needs. At any point if someone needs to rest, we encourage that. Also, if someone needs to leave early, that is fine too.
If a dancer is not able to attend all 8 sessions, that is not a problem. Also, each session can be taken in isolation - a person could take only the spring session, or only the fall session.
More information and registration — [email protected]
2023 All Bodies Movement Exchange was a pilot project, self-funded, to develop and refine a program of integrated (mixed abilities) ensemble dance. KSAMB Dance Company co-directors, Kyle Syverson and Miki Mappin worked with theatre director Louise Seidel and visual artist Kristen Schneider. Both Louise and Kristen use wheelchairs.
Our partners included Liant la Troca of Barcelona, Propeller Dance of Ottawa, and Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon.
Our partners included Liant la Troca of Barcelona, Propeller Dance of Ottawa, and Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon.
POWER — a mixed abilities performance at The BackStage Stage at The Remai Arts Centre, 100 Spadina Crescent East. December 20, 2023.
We are influenced by the work of Liant la Troca, the outstanding integrated dance company directed by choreographer Jordi Cortés, based in Barcelona. Kyle and Miki worked with Jordi and Liant la Troca in March 2023 in Barcelona, while there for a residency with Queering CI. Miki also worked with the company in 2020. In 2023, she extended her stay and performed with their integrated dance troupe.
We are excited by this company’s deeply human, compassionate, and intelligent practice and performance. Their work has similarities to what KSAMB is doing in Saskatoon — in its dedication to ensemble improvisation and to challenging dancer stereotypes and barriers.
liantlatroca.com
Propeller Dance Artistic Director Renata Soutter invited us to join the Ottawa company's classes via teleconference. We did, and we look forward to further exchanges!
propellerdance.com
In Saskatoon, Heather Cant, Artistic Director of Persephone Theatre has offered to partner with us, making available their accessible and well-equipped BackStage Stage at The Remai Arts Centre.
persephonetheatre.org
We are excited by this company’s deeply human, compassionate, and intelligent practice and performance. Their work has similarities to what KSAMB is doing in Saskatoon — in its dedication to ensemble improvisation and to challenging dancer stereotypes and barriers.
liantlatroca.com
Propeller Dance Artistic Director Renata Soutter invited us to join the Ottawa company's classes via teleconference. We did, and we look forward to further exchanges!
propellerdance.com
In Saskatoon, Heather Cant, Artistic Director of Persephone Theatre has offered to partner with us, making available their accessible and well-equipped BackStage Stage at The Remai Arts Centre.
persephonetheatre.org
CBC's Shauna Powers interviews Louise and Kyle— cbc.ca/listen
POWER. Who has the power? What kind of power? An experiment with the audience in the Backstage Stage of the Remai Arts Centre (Persephone). Ensemble scored improvisation in the form of a performance, within a rehearsal, within a performance.
Featuring Kristen Schneider, Louise Seidel, Kyle Syverson and Miki Mappin.
The audience was invited to observe, interact in certain parts, make their needs known, and help us to make it a welcoming experience! A continuing KSAMB experiment in permeable, relaxed performance. We all work to stay focused, but we can talk when we need to, the door is open, and our technician is communicating with us. Live, ensemble improvisation!
As a company, we are experimenting with levels of accessibility. We encourage people of all abilities and levels of interest to be involved.
Featuring Kristen Schneider, Louise Seidel, Kyle Syverson and Miki Mappin.
The audience was invited to observe, interact in certain parts, make their needs known, and help us to make it a welcoming experience! A continuing KSAMB experiment in permeable, relaxed performance. We all work to stay focused, but we can talk when we need to, the door is open, and our technician is communicating with us. Live, ensemble improvisation!
As a company, we are experimenting with levels of accessibility. We encourage people of all abilities and levels of interest to be involved.
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