Campaign! at Sign Dance Collective
Inspired by the international celebration that forms the basis of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, a signdance theatre company called Sign Dance Collective has been collaborating with over 100 deaf and disabled young people during their international tours to Turkey, Greece and Kent in the South East of England.
Sign Dance collective have worked with groups of young people in schools and community settings asking them to think about what was important, what they would change about their world and what they wanted to say to those in power. Amongst a massive array of diverse ideas there was an overwhelming common theme: All the young people wanted to feel as if they could be themselves and be accepted within their own and an international society. They wanted difference to be celebrated and to feel they, as individuals had a valued contribution to make. These ideas have been combined to form ‘The Campaign to Be Me!’.
Led by young actor Jacob Casselden (mentored by Sign Dance Collective’s Isolte Avila), who recently starred in The Royal Court’s ‘Tribes’, they have now devised a piece of sign dance communicating the young people’s ideas and values. Alongside this, Artistic Director David Bower has created a film, which documents the responses and work of the young people who took part and gives a platform for young people from all over the globe to share their ideas, thoughts and dreams.
Watch out for the performances:
· - 28th August 2011, The Bouverie Place shopping centre in Folkestone
· - 29th October 2011,‘Arts for Everyone Centre’ in Wycombe.