About Us
- Broadreach
- Classes
- Workshops
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- Young People
Projects
We are open to requests with regard to any project large or small.
HOW WE WORK
Each project is created in response to the needs of the particular group and context with the aim of providing an enlivening and enriching experience for everyone.
Projects are flexible as to the type, focus, duration, and location.
We work in close collaboration with key personnel at all stages of the design, planning, delivery, production and evaluation of a project.
We have a team of professional artists and technicians who provide a high standard of expertise, and quality artistic and technical production.
When appropriate we seek to work in partnership with other organisations in areas such as arts, education, community or health.
Below is a brief description of three projects led by CoisCéim Broadreach. These give an idea as to the range of projects we undertake.
DANCE & HEALTH
Gutbusters! 2006 & 2007
In August 2006 CoisCéim Broadreach was approached by CIE Health Promotion Officer Anne Farrell to lead a dance and performance project with Dublin Bus drivers as part of Gut Busters! Funded by CIE, Gutbusters! was a health promotion programme designed to enable Dublin Bus employees from 8 depots in Dublin to improve their general health and increase their level of fitness.
Employees were encouraged to sign up to a two month programme of health activities that included a variety of health seminars, dietary advice, and a competitive weight loss league with walking, gym - and dance challenges.
Over two months approximately 50 Dublin bus drivers and administration staff took part in regular weekly dance classes with CoisCéim Broadreach Director Philippa Donnellan and professional dancer/teacher Lisa McLoughlin. Participants practiced simple aerobic and stretch/strengthening exercises and dance routines. Through hard work and with great hilarity they also tackled choreography for the final performance The Story of Joe.
To rapturous applause and much laughter, The Story of Joe was performed at the Alexander Hotel and the Guarda Club in Dublin as part of the end celebration of Gutbusters! November 2006.
Over the two month period many participants made enormous progress in fitness levels and weight loss with one man loosing over 3 stone. From feedback gathered after the project had ended it was evident that people felt a real sense of achievement and had gained in physical awareness and self confidence.
In 2007 CoisCéim Broadreach undertook a similar successful project for CIE.
DANCE & PERFORMANCE residency
Cavan Residency 2007
The Cavan residency was a two week site specific performance project at the Johnston Central Library, December 2007. Commissioned by Co.Cavan Arts Office, it involved the creation and performance of a new dance theatre piece Hollow Ground, workshops with local youth groups, a night of dance on film and open public rehearsals. It was set up to generate public awareness of the library as a vibrant centre for art, and to build a local dance audience.
The residency was led by Broadreach Director Philippa Donnellan and professional dancer James Hosty. Four members of CoisCéim Creative Steps – young people’s dance theatre were invited to take part in order to gain experience of devising, performing and working with other young people.
Hollow Ground was inspired by the location and environment, and was developed from research of local history and folklore. Hollow Ground concerned a property developer, a librarian, a nomadic storyteller and an illicit love affair in a tale of greed, loss and transformation.
During the residency the gallery was transformed into an intimate theatre space. Local people were encouraged to drop in when they visited the library or watch through the large windows open to the street. The setting was an important aspect which contributed to exchange and interaction between the community and the CoisCéim Broadreach team. The residency culminated in three free performances of Hollow Ground in the gallery, giving people who had attended workshops and rehearsals the chance to see the final piece and socialize afterwards.
DANCE & COMMUNITY
La Vie en Rose 2009
La Vie en Rose – Dancing to Edith Piaf was a partnership project between CoisCéim Dance Theatre and Dublin City Council Arts, Sport and Leisure, and Community Development Sections. La Vie en Rose offered seven groups of participants aged 50+ weekly dance classes in the 5 electoral areas of Dublin: Central, South East, North Central, South West, North West. It ran for six weeks from April 14 to May 23, and culminated in a performance by participants at City Hall as part of Bealtaine Festival 2009.
La Vie en Rose developed out of CoisCéim Broadreach Elders Programme of classes, projects and events. Since the programme’s inception in 2006 an increasing number of people have expressed interest in taking part in regular dance events. La Vie en Rose was created in response to this demand. It was also an initiative designed to raise the profile of older people as creative and active members of society.
In six weeks over 300 people took part in weekly classes with eighty-five people from across Dublin participating in the final performance at City Hall. The day at City Hall was a wonderful celebration in spectacular surroundings. Many friends, family and public came along, and were surprised and delighted with the highly polished and professional performance. Each group presented a dance to one of Edith Piaf’s songs in what can only be described as a truly joyful and memorable event.
Click here to view a slide show of pictures from La Vie En Rose rehearsals and performances.
Project PLANNING, PRODUCTION & price
If you are interested in setting up a project please contact Philippa Donnellan Tel: 01 878 0558 Email: philippa@coisceim.com
We are open to fresh initiatives and welcome suggestions as to what is best for your community.
All prices are negotiable and are dependent upon the type of project, number of participants, team required, duration and location.
Planning is now underway for projects in 2010-11
Click Here for information about Dance Arias, a celebration of dance and opera for people aged 50+ , which commenced on 20 April 2010.
if you had told me 2 months ago that i would be dancing on stage in front of the audience... i would have thought you were mad
i discovered i had a right and left foot!
gutbusters! participants
