Mason, Stephen [Choreographer] (2017) Atten ... Shun!

Abstract

‘Atten ... shun!’ was the performative outcome of the bespoke community engagement programme for Rosie Kay Dance Company’s ‘5 Soldiers’ 2017 tour. This participatory project worked local hard-to-reach young people culminating in a choreographic commission performed before the professional performance at Yeomanry House Drill Hall, London, as part of Sadler’s Wells Theatre’s off-site programme. The performance presented the outcomes of the project that explored and challenged perceptions of the British Army and military. Participants experienced military training led by the British Army and interviewed military personnel to examine and reframe their perceptions of military life. The performance explored the notions of identity, comradery, resilience and the social aspects associated with military life. Using the Rosemary Lee’s choreographic practices for working with large scale community and participatory projects of assuming the role of steward not owner of the outcomes of the performative outcome participants assumed the role of co-creators placing their voice and ideas at the heart of the performance. Through evaluation participants stated that their attitudes of the military and authority had changed to become more balanced because they had a greater awareness and experience of military life and the opportunity to understand this information through performance. Furthermore, evaluation identified that the performance provided young people identified as hard-to-reach to develop confidence, communication and social/interpersonal skills that could be applied to their day to day lives.

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