C2A International Workshop 1 with No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability and Culture Maru

A palpable excitement could be felt within arms reach but over a camera’s distance from Adelaide, Cheongju, and Seoul. The first Connect2Abilities workshop was exceptionally put together to bring performers and broke language barriers by communicating through movement.

Performers passing circles from Seoul - Adelaide - Cheongju

The workshop started with How many ways can you make a circle with your body? No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability (Adelaide), Culture MARU (Cheongju city) and, the Real Dance Company (Seoul) demonstrated to each other couple of ingenious ways our bodies could move to make a simple circle. The infectious energy passed on beautifully from studio to studio through the camera when performers were asked to receive and pass on claps. The subtle shift from becoming aware of their environment to the presence of the camera made me more conscious of my presence in the workshop. The performers sublimely drew in attention. I was no more an onlooker but an audience member. The synergy between the performers meeting for the first time became more evident when they followed and led each other through their interpretation of Jazz and Kpop. 

During the break, the connections kept building, the performers across the screens couldn’t contain their excitement and exchanged their support through finger hearts, shy smiles, and boisterous waves of laughter. Somewhere along the way, the simple circle became an agreed-upon sign for ‘Yes, we are ready’. Into the second session, the performers were asked to share the sentiment behind their treasured object.

Gyusang passing his favourite memory through the screen

Family pictures turned into coffee tumblers, blankets to journals, sling bags to a Spiderman plushie all through the magic of these performers and the camera acting as the gateway to the sentiments these objects they shared. But all too soon, the workshop was over and it was time to share some of the dancers' most favourite moments. With the dancers recalling the best moments it was easy to say how the shyness was replaced with anticipation for the next workshop. 

Written by Trena Jenifer

Marketing Officer (trena.jenifer10@gmail.com)