Barrowland Ballet: Making Work With and For Young People with Complex Needs
Join Barrowland Ballet’s Artistic Director, Natasha Gilmore, as she shares her experience of creating accessible work with and for young people with complex needs. This presentation is centred on Barrowland Ballet’s production Playful Tiger, created for children with complex needs. Premiering in Scotland in 2018, it quickly gained international recognition whilst performing at Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, Baboro International Children’s Festival, and the ASSITEJ Artistic Gathering 2019. "remarkably bold and visionary." ★★★★ The Herald Natasha will also discuss her latest dance film, Strings, which brings together young people with complex needs such as autism with dancers from Barrowland Ballet, discovering the rich possibilities for connection through dance and celebrating children’s ability to take the lead. “so insightful and delicate and beautiful” Audience Feedback Natasha will present insight into the creative process of these works for neurodiverse young audiences, discussing how we can give young people with complex needs agency from process to performance. It will examine what creative challenges and opportunities this creates. She will share her experience of supporting young people to access performance venues, many for the first time, by eliminating barriers. The presentation aims to generate awareness and inspire creatives and venues to develop accessible work.

Production Credits

Speaker: Natasha Gilmore

About the Artists

Natasha Gilmore is Artistic Director and Founder of Barrowland Ballet, the internationally respected Scotland-based dance theatre company. The work is inspired by her personal experiences, creating an intimate connection with the audience through its wit, humour, and authenticity. Natasha has forged her identity as an artist working in new and surprising ways across art forms; gaining a significant reputation in the field of intergenerational practice (including Wolf Pack, Wolves, The River, Bunty & Doris) and for her growing body of work with and for neurodiverse young audiences (Playful Tiger, Strings). Natasha Gilmore was the UK nomination for the ASSITEJ Award for Excellence 2017 for her work for young audiences (including Little Red, Whiteout, Tiger Tale, Poggle). To date the company has performed in festivals across Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Chile, Egypt, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Poland, South Africa, the UK, the USA, and The Netherlands.

Publicity Info

  • TARGET AGE GROUP
    -
  • AGE CLASSIFICATION
    -
  • REASON FOR CLASSIFICATION
Primary Language
English
Accessibility Information
Event Format