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Inclusion Programme

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In our inclusion programme, called Real Life Real Dance, we work with children and young people in alternative provision schools and hospitals, as well as with elders in care homes and with refugees and migrants.

“Regardless of what happens after this, last night, I’m sure, was probably one of the proudest moments in their lives and their families’ lives. A memory they will cherish a lifetime and you can’t place a value on that. It was one of the proudest moments of my career thus far.”
Sophie Johnson, Brokerage Manager, Bishopton School

 

Projects for Alternative Provision Schools

A three-week intensive dance theatre project for young people attending alternative provision schools. In partnership with a school, such as a pupil referral unit and its local arts centre, Protein dancers work collaboratively with students to create a 30 minute performance for an audience of teachers, family and friends. A transformative experience for all involved, the final performance sees both students and Protein’s artists together on stage and it is followed by a Q&A with the audience. With Bronze Arts Award accreditation entwined, the project is inspired by themes found within Protein’s repertoire, which includes work about social media, school life, multiculturalism or identity.

Read Protein dance artist, Rachele Rapisardi’s Dancing to a new tune in Arts Professional and Luca Silvestrini’s How dance keeps us in touch with our sense of self in The Guardian to find out more.

Project history:

2023 -Woolwich, London

But I Am with Newhaven School, Greenwich

A film by Protein and Alice Underwood

2021 – Royal Docks, London

This is Us with New Directions PRU, London

A film by Protein and Alice Underwood, commissioned by Join the Docks

2017 and 2019 – Arc, Stockton on Tees
             This is Us with Bishopton PRU, Stockton
2017 and 2019 – Greenwich Dance, London
             This is Us with Newhaven School, London
2015 and 2016 – Greenwich Dance, London
             XOXO with Newhaven School, London
2013 – Pavilion Dance South West, Bournemouth
             XOXO with The Quay School, Bournemouth
2013 – Artsdepot, London
             LOL Mix with The Pavilion School, Whetstone, London
2009 – Hextable Dance, Swanley
             I Woz Ere 2 with North West Kent Alternative Provisional Services, Gravesend
2009 – Swindon Dance, Swindon
             I Woz Ere 2 with Stratton Education Centre, Swindon
2008 – DanceXchange, Birmingham
             I Woz Ere 2 with Sycamore PRU and Archway Academy, Birmingham
2006 – Artsdepot, London
             I Woz Ere 2 with Pavilion Study Centre, Whetstone, London

(Everything Stopped, a documentary by Dan Williams for moonmanmedia, supported by Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and Arts Council of England)

Projects for Hospitals

Protein creates bespoke projects for people in hospitals. Informed by past creative residencies at Evelina London Children’s Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Chidren, we provide one to one and group sessions in wards, and open workshops for patients, siblings, relatives and staff in waiting areas. Residencies see our dance artists working alongside a film artist to create ideas for dance on camera, which are later develop into short films for patients and their families to enjoy long after their stay in hospital.

In consultation and under the supervision of the medical staff, Protein artists can work with all ages, from young children on the pediatric wards, to older adults and those with long term health conditions. We believe dance can have a powerful impact on health and well-being, and these projects invaluably add a fun and creative experience whilst both patients and their families are coping with illnesses and recovery from surgeries.

Project History:

2008 – Evelina Children’s Hospital, London

Creating Changes, a two week residency commissioned by Lauderdale House, funded by the Clore Duffield Foundation through the Clore Performing Arts Award. The film, Dancing Hospital, by Roswitha Chesher was funded by Bloomberg. The Protein team involved Pauline Huguet, Sally Marie and Lucia Tong.

2012 – Evelina Children’s Hospital, London

Building Dances. Protein returned for another two week residency and worked with filmmaker Daniel Saul towards a documentary commissioned by Lauderdale House and supported by Children in Need. It captured one-to-one creations, open workshops and collaborations with the hospital staff. Led by dance artist Jon Beney, the Protein’s team involved Patsy Browne-Hope, Parsifal-James Hurst, Sally Marie and Stuart Waters.

 

Projects for Refugees Centres

Inspired by the research process of Border Tales, and workshops with clients at Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants, we have developed a performance led project for refugees and asylum seekers.

This work seeks to engage and empower using our performance-led collaborative approach inspired by the participants’ lives and experiences. Through ensemble work, storytelling and creative exercises, participants develop team-working skills and greater confidence, enabling them to better engage in their communities. Storytelling and workshops led in English enhance their linguistic skills, whilst learning stagecraft develop people’s ability to express themselves in a variety of ways.

Whilst hosting a programme of events for Refugee Week 2022, Luca wrote an article for Platforma, Arts & Refugees Network.
Read it here.

“I am very happy. It helps my life. Helps my mind. Helps my walk. It helps everything! Friendly chatting together, coming together, listening – I like it.”
Participant

In my country, Sudan, dance was part of the life of the people. People love to dance in the community and with friends. We brought our culture into the project. They made a special dance including music from Sudan and everyone enjoyed it.
Participant

“We have developed such a great mutually supportive relationship with Protein and their understanding of how to work best with those most in need is so valuable to a project like ours. The benefits are both immediate and long-lasting with participants enjoying each and every session and then discovering dance as a way to express oneself which in turn improves wellbeing and contributes to our inclusive sense of community.”
Andy Ruiz Palma, Project Manager at the Islington Centre.

There and Here was recognised at The Stage Awards 2023 and awarded Community Project of the Year. The judging panel commented that they were particularly impressed with the transformational impact on the lives of those involved, enhancing linguistic skill, combating isolation, improving self-expression and allowing them to be seen and heard.

Project history:
  • 2015 – There and Here – The Place, London
  • 2022 – There and Here – The Place, London
  • 2024 – There and Here – The Place, London

Projects for Care Homes

May Contain You is Protein’s interactive performance which tours to care homes, hospitals, and lunch clubs. Thought as an opportunity to connect, move, share and enjoy food together, during these visits the residents’ stories and interjections are woven into this fun and relaxed performance, punctuated by singing and tea and jam tarts.

Protein can also lead workshops connected to current touring productions, for example The Little Prince – discover your inner child!

“The quality of the performance was brilliant. The ability to build a rapport with the audience within minutes of starting the show was incredible. In the 5 ½ years I have been here I don’t think I have seen so many residents sitting in one room all laughing.” 

Nicky Durbin, Manager, Seckford House Residential Home

Project history:

see: May Contain You
             

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