Dance United

Crossing the Divide focuses on cross-community work using dance with its physical, emotional, and cognitive demands as a tool to provide people with a safe environment to let go of fears and prejudices and begin to have contact with each other that is based on our common humanity.  This approach has been successfully used in many different contexts, including those where participants are experiencing inter-community conflicts.

Performance projects have included and will include:

MERGE

(Belfast 2011-2013)

MERGE is a three year project that targets young unemployed people and young people living in inner city targetted social need areas, engaging them in work that challenges perceptions of art.  The project looks at what traditional contemporary and urban street forms have to offer each other.

Youth DU Merge

(Belfast 2012-2013)

Following the company’s performance project eMERGEncy, which engaged young people from across targeted social need areas in Belfast (October 2011) and as a result of the evaluation process where the young people requested more contact with the company, DU dance will support a cross community youth dance group in Belfast.  The company will provide regular classes, performance opportunities and a summer school.

Primary Schools Dance Festival

(Belfast 2009-ongoing)

This festival is designed to give children under the age of 11 a chance to come together in a non competitive environment and appreciate each others work.  It is also a chance for the children to see professional dance in a theatre context and to meet the dancers involved.  Working in partnership with Belfast education & Library Board this festival has now become an annual event and each year over 200 children aged 7-11 take part.

Reach.In Out

(Belfast 2006 – 2009)

This longitudinal programme aims to widen access to dance and other art forms and to examine the impact creativity can have on the lives of young people living in the heart of a post-conflict society. The programme is multi-layered in nature and is underpinned by a strong element of research and evaluation. Working with 67 children from two schools in North Belfast over three years performances have included:

The Wren
(Ulster Hall, Belfast, June 2009)

Around Town
(on the streets of Belfast City Centre, March 2009)

Gaudette
(St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Seaview Presbyterian Church, Belfast, Dec 2007)

Storming Stormont
(Parliament House, Belfast, Oct 2007)

Quest
(Waterfront Hall, Belfast, May 2007)