NEW MOVES
Theatre/dance workshops with Young People
in the North-east of Sri Lanka January/February 2010
(picture November 2009, Ambu Illam Orphanage, Trincomalee)
The work started in January 2009 continues in January/February 2010 when I will be returning with Funforlife in association with New Theatre Works as one of a five person team to continue the vital and life affirming work!
Our partners include the Ambu Illam Orphanage in Trincomalee (previous partners), the Butterfly Peace Garden in Batticaloa, and The Centre for Performing Arts in the Northeast of Sri Lanka. We are also supported by the British Council. UK participants include myself leading the Dance elements, Nathan Portlock with music, Sam Wyer on design, and Ellie Parker producing and managing the project. We are also thrilled to have Australian Alison George documenting the project!
While there we will continue to work with a mix of children of Tamil and Sinhalese backgrounds of Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and Christian faiths. The children’s lives have been devastated by war and tsunami. We lead workshops in dance, crafts, drama and music and then have a show for the community.
In 2009 we worked with over 100 children directly, trained 20 teachers in creative methods and gave public performances to over 400 community members. (see www.funforlife.org.uk/h2h_srilanka.html ).
Our theme this year is a dance theatre show called ‘Dreams’ which will have a magical and positive aspect to it. It will link to a parallel piece of Dance Performance being created in Glasgow with the local Sri Lankan community titled ‘Hope (is a thing with feathers)’.
This project is generously supported by
