TDC is actively committed to developing and inspiring new audiences. We believe that in doing education work and outreach activities we give participants the chance to experience first hand how it feels to be creative through dance. The workshop offers the opportunity to work closely with the company members who are a passionate and extremely talented team of individuals.
The company welcomes direct collaboration with schools and host organisations in the planning and implementation of workshops and other activities.
In the past the company has found that particularly young participants often find the dynamics and aesthetics used in commercial dance forms very exciting and we as a company believe that using this as a stimulus has an instant impact.
By challenging ideas we will help the participants find a way of developing individual movement, or a voice of their own so that they can feel open to create rather than just emulate moves off the television.
These ‘moves’ represent a block in the creativity of the participants and they can often find it hard to leave this behind when trying to compose or produce movement of their own.
We will look at social dance forms such as Hip Hop, locking, or body popping as a stimulus. In looking at social dance forms we will analyse the aesthetics and dynamic choices being used as well as how they are employed musically.
We then use these identified aesthetics to experiment with and create movement that is not just about sex or presenting a ‘cool / tough’ image but is creative, musical and dynamic.
This could still be a model for teaching workshops however we rather just let it infuse what we do now in relation to the particular stage piece we are touring.
The Vision
It is our vision to challenge and stimulate the participant’s own creativity, to make them aware of musicality, dynamics, pure aesthetics and abstraction. We will endeavour to give them a path to travel on that can become individual whilst operating in a dynamic field that excites them.
The Team
TDC have a team of highly professional dance artists who perform and teach along side Tom; they have taught creative and inspiring workshops extensively both nationally and internationally. They are dedicated and enthusiastic about the work and the teaching.
The Workshops
These workshops are suitable for participants 14+. The duration can vary depending on requirements. Times can be tailored to your needs but here are some examples.
Half-day Workshop – Duration 3 hours
Option 1: 1 group for 3 hours
Option 2: 2 groups for 1 1/2 hours per group
Full-day Workshop – Duration 4 1/2 hours
Option 1: 1 group for 4 1/2 hours: day split into two sessions
Option 2: 2 groups/ 1 group for 1 1/2 hours, 1 group for 3 hours
Option 3: 3 groups for 1 1/2 hours per group
Equipment needed: Sound system, nice dance space
What will happen in the workshop?
Physical Warm-Up
This will be tailored to the exact needs of the participants and their dance experience; this may include physical games, gentle exercises, body awareness exercises and some stretches.
Where possible we will teach a technique class; this is normally for participants with some dance experience already; we aim to do a 1 hour class in the 3 and 4 1/2 hour sessions.
This is all with a view to developing individual’s sense of self, body awareness, co-ordination, and alignment and to get the body ready to work and the mind active.