"Moving as One Extended Team" - Alison Ferrao

In Addition to the New Adventure artists that attended the February artist exchange, we also spoke with Magpie Dance Facilitator Alison about her experiences. Here are some of her responses:

 1. What was your overall impression of the 2 artist exchange days? 

“A really great introduction to both companies. It was important to have had this experience ahead of rehearsals commencing to ensure our dancers could gain the maximum benefit from the project."

2. What did you find most useful about the Artist Exchange? 

“The conversation we had at the end of day two was very important.  Once we had experienced each company’s way of working, we could then discuss what would and wouldn’t work for the dancers and how things may be adapted.  This felt like we were moving forward as one extended team rather than two separate companies."

3. What did you learn?

“I had the chance to find out more about the NA way of working which was quite interesting.  The usual way of working at Magpie is to start with a very simple idea and then gradually build up layers.  After the NA workshop, I had to think about how we would reverse this process to make it inclusive.  This was a new approach and a different way of working for me."

4. Is there anything in particular that will inform the way you work as an artist/teacher in future? 

"As mentioned above, I would consider a different approach.  Also, I have used some of the exercises from the NA workshop in the community class. They have been well received and it was a positive challenge for participants and myself to attempt a completely different way of working and  focussing within the group."

5. What are your expectations for this Big Dance project?
"Hopefully, we can provide a new experience for the Magpie dancers and develop their skills which will result in a new innovative piece that will be well-received by the audience."

"It was great to be welcomed" - Artist Exchange Feedback

Michela, Steve and Jack (New Adventure artists) all came to the February artist exchange and were asked to answer some questions about their experience. Here are their responses:

1. What was your overall impression of the 2 artist exchange days?

“The artist exchange days were very well organised and structured”[M.M].

“I thought the two days were planned extremely well from both sides”[S.K].

“Only having attended the Magpie half of the exchange it was very useful for me in learning how magpie works and the practices they use. Not only was it useful for finding the differences in our approaches but also the many similarities” [J.J].

2. What did you find most useful about the Artist Exchange?

“Watching the magpie leaders and facilitators teaching a class and putting into practice the tools talked about in the morning” [M.M]

“As a new adventures artist it was great to be welcomed and taken through the Magpie process by Alison and David and their experience really shone through” [S.K].

“There are quite a few details of working with the magpie groups that were essential to know before working with them and the exchange was necessary to learn these. The afternoon with some of the participants was then very helpful to put these into practice” [J.J].

3. What did you learn? (NA artists…please reflect on inclusive practice skills learned from the session with Magpie)

“The importance of asking the dancers questions and giving them responsibility in the creative process” [M.M]

“I learnt lots of new games and exercises and how to work with integrated groups so that everyone feels included, which will be so helpful in the process and the future” [S.K].

“One of the most useful things I learnt was that whilst some participants might respond well to vocal instructions, others understand an image better, or an action to show them, or even a sound, and that a blanket approach rarely works for all. Also getting the participants to actively contribute to the workshop, so that it is they who are taking the initiative rather than us telling them what to do” [J.J].

4. Is there anything in particular that will inform the way you work as an artist/teacher in future?

“To always challenge my expectations of the participants and never to make assumptions” [M.M].

“I think more than anything it was the things that you should avoid and the things that physically you have to be aware of… and that it has to be a completely ‘inclusive’ experience”[S.K].

“One of the points above I will take with me on any teaching project now, the point regarding the different approaches to lead someone to understand a subject, and not just using words/instructions to do it [J.J].

5. What are your expectations for this Big Dance project?

“I would really like for the magpie dancers to have a fun time and to be able to enjoy the 'story telling' style of New Adventures” [M.M].

“My expectations are that we are able to give the performers a New Adventures experience… That they be a part of a narrative piece of work, to include story telling and movement and that it is new way for them…

I feel strongly that we don't resort to ways of working that are easier or more familiar and that we continue to challenge the practitioners to think and move differently to what they have been used to… Overall the process is enjoyable and exciting and something they will always remember” [S.K].

“That it will push the participants into doing something new and challenge them in their practice/performance skills” [J.J].