Dave Calvert
Dr. Dave Calvert is an academic, practitioner and researcher who has been engaged with inclusive and accessible performance-making for over 30 years. Working mostly with learning disabled artists, he has delivered inclusive arts projects around the UK and, as Director of Theatre Education (1998-2003) at Bradford-based Mind the Gap, established the first degree-length training programme […]
Richard Hayhow
Richard is Director of Open Theatre, which seeks to place the creativity of young people with learning disabilities at the centre of the cultural life of Birmingham and Coventry, UK. In 1997, Richard set up The Shysters, a company of actors with learning disabilities, in partnership with the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry.
Louise Katerega
Head of Professional Development, People Dancing: the foundation for community dance Independent Contemporary Dance Artist, Coach & Arts Consultant Louise describes herself as a woman of mixed Ugandan and English heritage and has been a versatile contributor to the UK dance scene for over two decades.
Yael Owen
I’m currently the Deputy CEO/Head of Health and Wellbeing in Dance at People Dancing, leading, for the past 4-years, Live Well & Dance with Parkinson’s. This is a programme of dance activity and community development alongside, for and with people living with Parkinson’s and their community.
Suzie Birchwood
I am a disabled dancer, facilitator, and advocate dedicated to fostering environments where people of all abilities can thrive. My work is rooted in seamlessly integrating accessibility into the creative process, eliminating the need for retrofitted solutions and ensuring inclusivity is central to artistic expression.
Humans Move
Humans Move wants to join forces with people who are fighting for change and a more inclusive and peaceful future. Humans Move led by Jessie Brett, creates inclusive dance performances and activities in Wales and Ethiopia, in which all bodies are welcome. Our work centres on inclusion and shifting perspectives through creating opportunities to exchange […]
Jessie Brett
Originally from Wales, choreographer Jessie Brett has been working in dance for 17 years as a dancer, teacher, choreographer, project manager and director. Jessie is an award-winning choreographer, she has been creating, touring and producing inclusive dance productions since 2016 and has worked with communities in Wales and Ethiopia.
Freefall Dance Company
Freefall Dance Company is part of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s LEAP (Learning Education and Participation) programme and inclusivity work. Established in 2002 by Lee Fisher, part-time Head of Creative Learning, the company evolved out of a partnership between Birmingham Royal Ballet and Fox Hollies Special School.
Zhiling Guo
Zhiling Guo is a PhD student from the University of Warwick (UK). She has worked with different abled people both in China and the UK making theatre performances. She is now dedicated to exploring the Deaf Gain as a culture, and promoting sign language in theatre and dance, to set up a dialogue between Deaf […]
Dr Sarahleigh Castelyn
Dr Sarahleigh Castelyn (Reader/Associate Professor in Performing Arts and the University of East London, UK).