Sydney dance company, make your move

Make Your Move was a pilot program created by Sydney Dance Company to improve accessibility to dance for those who are hampered by social, economic and physical issues, developed and delivered in 2017 and 2018 with support of the Jibb Foundation.

‘Over the eight weeks I learnt to trust myself again. I found a new range of movement that I had not previously experienced. I really loved the health benefits. I feel like I trust myself more, I feel like my language is unique and my body has definitely grown because of the program. I could only highly recommend Make Your Move to my friends.’ – Tom, Make Your Move 2017 pilot program participant 

A series of creative workshops, Make Your Move was designed to get participants with mobility restrictions moving, making and participating in contemporary dance.  

Over the course of the 8 weeks, participants developed skills and confidence in dance movement, and explored some of the creative processes used in rehearsal at Sydney Dance Company. Sessions included a gentle warm up and a range of creative dance activities in a safe and fun environment. Participants were encouraged to bring along a friend, family member or carer to dance with them. 

Make Your Move was open to adults over 18 years who wished  to participate in a dance class, but felt their mobility restriction may currently be preventing them from doing so. Prior dance experience or training was not a pre-requisite and wheelchairs, walkers and mobility aids were welcome. 

Sydney Dance Company was uniquely placed to develop and deliver these dance workshops utilising music, contemporary dance technique, Company repertoire, and creative task work, so that participants could experience and engage with contemporary dance in a highly supportive environment beyond the theatre, in their local communities.