January 12th 2022 19:30 will see the next in Stuart Waters’ series of Head:ON Conversations, another vital discussion for step change in dance. This webinar, focusing on Dance & Addiction, will bring a seasoned panel of artists and mental health professionals to safely share stories and discuss lived experience of addiction. We’ll explore how addiction exists in the dance sector, in terms of dance making, support and artistic practice.

Join host Kenneth Tharp, lead artist Stuart Waters, guests Fallen Angels, and mental health professionals for an honest and rich conversation, critical for our sector at this time.

This free webinar will focus on Dance & Addiction. It can be attended anonymously and provides opportunities to ask questions anonymously too. We’re pleased to announce that the event will have live BSL interpretation.

About the Host: 

Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp, a key figure in the UK arts and culture scene with close to 40 years professional experience in the sector. Kenneth has had an incredible career, including performing for 13 years with the internationally-acclaimed London Contemporary Dance Theatre, and then with other leading companies during a 25-year career as a performer, choreographer, teacher and director. He also headed up ThePlaceLondon from 2007 to 2016. Kenneth is currently a freelance Arts & Culture Consultant and Interim CEO for Eclipse Theatre, a Black-led touring theatre and production company based in Leeds. In 2003 Kenneth was made an OBE in recognition of his services to dance, and in June 2017 was made a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, also in recognition of his services to dance.

About the Speakers: 

Paul Bayes Kitcher is the Artistic Director at Fallen Angels Dance Theatre. After training at the Royal Ballet School and Rambert he danced for Scottish Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet where he danced various soloist and principal roles.

In 2009 through his own journey into recovery Paul began teaching within drug & alcohol rehabilitation settings, whilst developing his artistic practice, which led to him co-founding Fallen Angels Dance Theatre in 2011. FADT will be launching a trio of dance theatre films in 2022; “Transfiguration” charts the journey from addiction to recovery.

Claire Morris is the Executive Director at Fallen Angels Dance Theatre.  She trained at London Contemporary Dance School and career highlights include Rambert Dance Company, and The Royal Ballet School. She founded Co3 Dance, where she created and developed all aspects of the company through participation, choreography and artist development.

Claire has been an arts project manager since 2000. She co-founded FADT, and has experience of working in partnership with Health, Local Authority, Drug and Alcohol Services. She has received development through Royal Opera House ROH links programme, and FADT’s Arts Council England’s Elevate programme, a key step change in FADT and Claire’s development.

FADT is the only company in the UK providing exceptional dance theatre experiences for people in recovery from addiction. At Fallen Angels Dance Theatre people are accepted, valued and reach their potential.

About the Psychotherapists: 

Nicolette Wilson-Clarke is the founder of The Creative Genius, a psychotherapy, coaching and consulting agency specialising in supporting the emotional and mental well-being of creatives. She is also a well-being facilitator, local radio presenter/producer, voice over artist, blogger, trained dancer, Senior Yoga Teacher, Pilates teacher and an Advisory Board Member of Freedom Foundation. Freedom Foundation support and enhance the emotional well-being of young people.

Fuschia Peters has a background in touring with dance and performance companies, and retrained in 2000 completing a Psychology BSc degree and then worked for the NHS. For three years she worked in a groundbreaking service providing psychological services for the African and Caribbean communities in Southwark.She now has a private practice and continues to teach/lecture/tutor/counsel at Performing arts colleges across London.

This event is supported by One Dance UK, The Place and Sussex Dance Network.

Head:On:Conversations is delivered in partnership with Sussex Dance Network and is part of Stuart’s ongoing work to encourage change, support wellbeing and promote mental health access and inclusion for people working in dance.

Please note: The ethos of the meetings is to engender open, positive and inclusive conversations with Chatham House rules. Attendee identities will not be shared and confidentiality will be respected.

We’re pleased to announce that the event will have live BSL interpretation and captioning.

When? 12th January 2022 @ 19:30 – 21.00
Where? Zoom (a link will be sent 1 hour before start time)
Who for? Everyone! If you are 16 or under we suggest a carer or adult attends with you if possible.
How do I sign up? Register your interest on the form below and a zoom link will be emailed to you.How much? FREE

Registration for this event will close at 18.00 on Wednesday 12th January 2022.