Press Release: Step Change Studios presents Fusion at Sadler's Wells

[Jan McNulty]

 

Step Change Studios
Fusion
Wednesday 9 May 
Performance: 8pm
Tickets: £17
Ticket office: 020 7863 8000 www.sadlerswells.com

 

Fusion is the UK's first inclusive Latin and ballroom dance showcase by disabled and non-disabled artists, presented by Step Change Studios at Sadler’s Wells’ Lilian Baylis Studio on Wednesday 9 May 2018.

Bringing together talented professional artists to push the boundaries of ballroom with beautiful, powerful, performances that redefine the genre, Fusion is a creative exploration between disabled and non-disabled artists drawing on different dance influences such as swing and contemporary to develop original pieces inspired by Latin and ballroom.

The production features leading choreographers including Jenny Thomas, who has performed in West End musicals and has coached, choreographed and performed on popular television shows including Strictly Come Dancing; Ivana Ostrowski, whose credits include Strictly Gershwin with ENB at the Royal Albert Hall and Anton and Erin's Cheek to Cheek at the London Coliseum; Anna Alvarez, whose work has previously been seen at Sadler’s Wells when she performed in a Wild Card evening curated by Ella Mesma in 2017; and Nancy Hitzig, who specialises in swing, lindy, Charleston and jazz, and has won numerous international titles.

Fusion showcases 18 disabled and non-disabled dancers through duets, solos and group numbers. This includes the first UK performance by disabled dancer Pawel Karpinski and dance partner Nadine Kinczel, who are ranked number one in the world in ballroom Para Dance, and a debut by 19 year old Joe Powell-Main, presenting his original solo wheelchair waltz.

Step Change Studios was one of the six winners of the East London Dance Enterprise Ideas Fund, which is supported by Sadler’s Wells.

The company’s founder, Rashmi Becker performed in the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympic Games in 2012. In 2013 she became a Board Member of the English Federation of Disability Sport. She founded Step Change Studios in 2017.

Rashmi Becker said: “As the younger sister of a brother with Autism and learning disabilities, I became aware of the benefits of dance from an early age as music and movement were a fantastic way for us to connect and for my brother to communicate, mange his anxiety, to develop coordination and to just feel free.

“Fusion is an experiment and creative exploration between disabled and non-disabled artists from backgrounds that include Charleston, swing, contemporary and street, to develop original Latin and ballroom pieces.

“Dance, in all forms draws influence from different styles, settings, and stories. Dancers’ physical form influences the artistic and performance process. Fusion brings together these different influences and forms through playful, creative collaborations that aim to question our ideas about Latin and ballroom dance and dancers."

Step Change Studios is a pioneering dance company committed to inclusive dance. The organisation caters to different ages, abilities and needs, providing classes, delivering dance in education, social care, health care and community settings, and creating imaginative bespoke dance projects and programmes. The company aims to support everyone to achieve their dancing ambitions - whether that is to dance for fun, to be active, to perform or compete.

Sadler’s Wells’ Artistic Programmer Eva Martinez said: “I first heard of Step Change Studios as they pitched to a panel I was part of, and I was taken by Rashmi’s passion and commitment. Her supportive approach to the dance artists and her clear aim to shift the audience’s expectation around disability and dance is vital today, and I am delighted we can support her work at this stage in development.”

Supported by Sadler’s Wells, Arts Council England, and Dance Enterprise Ideas Fund

The performance will be followed by a post-show discussion free to ticket holders. 

BSL interpreted. 

A free 60-minute wheelchair ballroom masterclass, led by Pawel Karpinksi will take place from 12 - 1pm on Wednesday 9 May in the Lilian Baylis Studio. Places are limited, please book your space via 020 7863 8000.

 

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

 

About Sadler’s Wells
Sadler’s Wells is a world-leading creative organisation dedicated to dance in all its forms. With over three centuries of theatrical heritage and a year-round programme of performances and learning activities, its goal is to motivate everyone to experience dance – to take part, learn, experiment and be inspired. Audiences of over half a million come to Sadler’s Wells’ London theatres each year, with many more enjoying its touring productions at partner venues across the UK and around the world, or accessing its content through digital channels.

Sadler’s Wells commissions and presents more new dance work than any other theatre in the world, embracing the popular and the unknown. Since 2005, it has helped to bring over 140 new dance works to the stage, many of them involving its 16 Associate Artists, three Resident Companies and four Associate Companies – the most exciting talents working in dance today. It also nurtures the next generation of talent through its artist development initiatives, and reaches over 25,000 annually through its learning and engagement programmes.

Located in Islington, north London, the current theatre is the sixth to have stood on the site since it was first built by entrepreneur Richard Sadler in 1683. The venue has played an illustrious role in the history of theatre ever since with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and English National Opera having all started at Sadler’s Wells. Sadler’s Wells is a charity and a National Portfolio Organisation, currently receiving 10% of its revenue from Arts Council England.

www.sadlerswells.com
 

About Dance Enterprise Ideas Fund
Supported by Foundation for FutureLondon, East London Dance established the Dance Enterprise Ideas Fund in 2016 to enable dance creatives to research, test and/or launch new artistic and entrepreneurial ideas. The Fund offers awards of up to £5,000 plus in-kind support from its investing and supporting partners. Current Dance Enterprise Ideas Fund Investing Partners are Foundation for FutureLondon, English National Ballet, Sadler’s Wells, Dancers’ Career Development, Hackney Council & Discover Young Hackney, Redbridge Drama Centre and Theatre Royal Stratford East with additional supporting partners One Dance UK, Rich Mix, Studio Wayne McGregor and University of East London. Since its launch bursaries of over £45,000 have been awarded to 14 outstanding dance creatives.