Remixing preconceptions

In September 2007, Activate Performing Arts began an initiative to create an integrated youth performance company. As the project manager, I had to develop a range of new skills quickly. The new world I was entering required an understanding of not just care staff, support workers, accessibility of venues and transport, but also the preconceptions and differing expectations of teachers, young people and arts professionals. The pilot project aimed to create an integrated company of 20 young people aged 13–17 years. Members were recruited from local schools, and consisted of young people with disabilities or learning difficulties and their able-bodied peers. The second strand of the project was to support four young adults with disabilities, from local company Double Act, to work alongside the company as volunteers. Throughout the project, the aim has been to get the young people actively involved and working together, providing external social events has helped this process. This principle was applied at the start of the project when the young people selected the name and logo for the company – The Remix.

In its first year, the company held two residencies and produced a spring showcase which was presented at the Lighthouse, Poole. A dance residency was led by Candoco Dance Company, and a theatre residency was led by Associate Artists of Graeae Theatre Company. The value of working with acclaimed integrated companies has provided measurable benefits. The young people gained experience, the quality of the work produced was enhanced and the project team received invaluable support and advice. As a result, Activate has developed even closer links with Candoco and their youth dance company Cando2. Through links with Graeae, we met and recruited the new Artistic Director for The Remix, Claire Hodgson, who will lead the group through its second year of development. Funding from Active Dorset (Sport Unlimited) has meant the company can now meet on a regular basis, in addition to longer residencies. This year, The Remix has worked with Place Prize finalist and choreographer, Freddie Opoku-Addaie, and we plan to link with Diverse City London on a joint project in late July.
Language, however, continues to be an interesting debate. As arts managers we feel the need for labels to describe what we do. Our young people have dismissed the term ‘integrated’ as they don’t feel they want any label that references their abilities. One Remix member said: “When The Remix meet and perform we simply want to be a ‘youth performance company’. The quality of our work should speak for itself; the fact that we are integrated is obvious to the audience and therefore takes second place.”