DirtyFeet acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation the traditional owners of the land and waters upon which we dance.
THE RIGHT FOOT
Community
The Right Foot offers contemporary dance workshops for young people with and without disability, providing a creative activity for those who may otherwise not have access to dance.
Every Body Dancing - Inclusion Action Plan
We believe in the positive impact dance has on people's lives- it is a creative way to improve health and fitness, encourage self-expression and build confidence. The workshops are also an important professional pathway for aspiring young artists to gain experience to further their performance career.
“We have disabilities, but it doesn't matter: we can all move and be together and no one cares about the differences.” - 2018 participant Brianna Lowe.
In 2021, The Right Foot workshops were led by professional artist Gabriela Green-Olea and Chris Bunton in collaboration with a team of professional DirtyFeet artists who identify with and without a disabilities.
DirtyFeet would like to acknowledge the contribution made by Sarah-Vyne Vassallo (Artistic Director, Murmuration) and past The Right Foot staff in assisting DirtyFeet establish such a successful program.
For more information regarding The Right Foot visit our Facebook Page or contact Program Manager Zoe Morgan
DirtyFeet delivers The Right Foot with the support of The Funding Network, The Hecand Private Ancillary Fund, City of Sydney and the NSW Government through Create NSW.
DirtyFeet would like to thank Jason Lam and Kaboom Studios for their photographic support during the 2015 project.
The Right Foot - Emerging Makers project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.
“I think organisations like DirtyFeet are a great example of including people with disability in the arts. They bring people together to have fun, learn new skills, are included, and there is a range of diversity.”
Chris Bunton, Co=Workshop Leader, The Right Foot 2021
Emerging Makers
The Right Foot - Emerging Makers series fosters the development of new and emerging dance makers with disabilities.
We take a three phase approach:
IN CONVERSATION
Starting with a virtual consultation process, a team of 8 established Australian dance artists with disabilities, at varying points in their career, will co-create discussion and action points addressing the current condition of professional pathways for disabled dancers in Australia.
Managed by Anthea Doropoulos and led by Sarah-Vyne Vassallo, the artist consultants include Caroline Bowditch, Marc Brew, Dan Daw, Sarah Hoboult, Margot Politis, Matthew Shilcock and Kiruna Stamell.
IN PRACTICE
The disability-led workshop series fosters the development of new and emerging dance makers with and without disabilities. 12 participants will attend 2 x 3-day workshop intensives. The focus will be on the dance making process; research and experimentation; generating choreographic material; score structures and devised theatre methods.
Lead Artist Sarah-Vyne Vassallo with Assistant Artist Chris Bunton will deconstruct the making process to foster, mentor and guide new and emerging dance voices. Providing high quality choreographic and artistic skills development to the next generation of dance makers with disabilities.
IN THOUGHT
It is important that the artists feel empowered from the beginning to the end of the project and contribute to all aspects of the project. From their interests in making, to studio-practice, to feedback and reflection on the project.
We will support this process through varying formatting including, journaling, active reflection, video responses and discussions.
