What has Open Stage ever done for us?
Open Stage is ADAD’s regular informal platform for work in progress. Meriel Camara, ADAD Southwest Coordinator, takes a look at the role this platform has played in assisting artists to develop their artistry.
Open Stage provides an opportunity for dancers to present work in progress to a critical audience, including a panel of three experienced dance professionals. They gain a profile raising performance opportunity plus feedback to help them develop the piece and take it to the next stage. But what actually happens after Open Stage and how does it help? Ballet Nimba, directed by current ADAD trailblazer starter, Idrissa Camara, have maximized on their opportunities in an inspiring example. Ballet Nimba presented a sketch of their piece, Sagatala, at Open Stage in Swindon in March 2013. The piece explores what is to be a man growing up in Guinea, in a culture where there are a lot of expectations placed on men but where it is difficult to fulfil those expectations, and the role of friendship, brotherhood and the wisdom of the elders.
Nimba were given some useful feedback around exploring ways to convey story within their piece and then were able to source additional support, training and funding on the basis of that. They put together a comprehensive package that enables the dancers to learn and challenge themselves as much as possible in the development of the piece. This included dramaturgical support from ‘Funmi Adewole; training from Dorset-based arts agency Activate Performing Arts around incorporating narrative into performance; training in stage combat; and support from regional dance agency Pavilion Dance South West’s Hatch and Scratch programme. The Hatch and Scratch programme is an annual opportunity opened up to three dance companies in the region and provides five days of studio time, cash to cover expenses, some technical support and a performance opportunity to gain further critical feedback. With this fantastic package in place Nimba were able to approach the Arts Council for further financial support and received funding to enable them to complete this research and development stage of the project. The company hopes to complete the R&D stage by March and then to take the piece on to a rural tour in the summer/autumn.
It can be a challenging process for African artists, who are so well respected and well established in their own countries, to break in to the world of dance in the UK. Our system is very complex and has little understanding of the cultural context from which this art was born. However this story shows that the support is out there to help artists to find their ways through. The package Nimba were able to put in place has helped them to bridge that divide by learning how to present their true and original dance form in a way that will be able to engage western audiences and compete in the same market place as contemporary and other forms of dance that are popular with theatre programmers and ADAD are proud to be a crucial part of that story.
The next ADAD Open Stage will be presented in June 2014 (adad.org.uk/openstage)
