Creative Spaces NetworkFive dancers from Christchurch inclusive dance company Jolt will travel to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands in May for a week-long inclusive dance residency.
The group will run workshops in schools and community organisations across the Cook Islands, sharing their creativity, leadership and passion for inclusive dance.
The dancers are Joel Foreman, Jacob Levingston, Jokani Coe, Lachlan Oakes and Rochelle Waters. They are kaitiaki whaikaha – artists and leaders with learning disability – who are already teaching and inspiring others through Jolt’s programmes.
During the residency they’ll work with several organisations, including Nukutere College’s Inclusive Unit, Autism Cook Islands, the Creative Centre and local primary schools, before finishing with a community performance.
One of the dancers, Jokani Coe (Cook Islands/Samoan), will also share his powerful solo work “There is a Mountain Inside My Head”, reconnecting with his Cook Islands heritage and celebrating identity through dance.
Disability leadership in action
Lyn Cotton, Jolt Artistic Director, says the dancers’ role in this project reflects the heart of Jolt’s mahi: disability leadership in action.
“Jolt will leave each group with a dance programme designed specifically for their community, shaped by the people we meet and their strengths,” Lyn says. “These programmes will provide teachers, support workers, and students with practical tools that make inclusive dance sustainable long after the residency ends.
“We want to show how much communities benefit when disabled leaders are given space, support and recognition.”
Fiona Sharp, Creative Spaces Network Development Advisor at Arts Access Aotearoa, says the project is a “beautiful example of the leadership, creativity and international impact developing among creative spaces in Aotearoa – connecting communities across the moana through the arts”.
Jolt is fundraising through a Boosted campaign to help cover flights, accommodation and artist fees for the residency. You can help make the journey possible.
Arts Access Aotearoa asked dancers Jokani Coe and Lachlan Oakes three questions.
1. How are you feeling about travelling to Rarotonga to teach dance and share your work?
Jokani: Excitement, it will feel different. I am proud to teach over there, it is going to be fun. People will see me proud, learn our stories, find connection, do some workshops. I am going to be ready.
Lachlan: I feel like it’s going to be pretty spectacular, getting to connect with the friendly people. On the inside it makes me feel mana. I just have to say that it’s going to be pretty wonderful to share our skills with them.
2. What are you most excited about doing or experiencing when you get there?
Jokani: For us, we’re going to the units and teaching, putting our music on. I love teaching and love seeing the arts over there. I will see my family and friends.
Lachlan: For me, it will be experiencing how they run their programmes compared to ours and just how they structure everything in all three of their units. I am most excited about going to the Autism Centre.
3. What would you like the dancers in your workshops to feel or learn when they dance with you?
Jokani: I just want to say to them we are from Ōtautahi Christchurch. We’re very proud to do dance and performance and workshops.
Lachlan: I want them to get out of this that they have a new home where they can belong and they can go to and express themselves.
Jolt is a member of the Creative Spaces Network, facilitated by Arts Access Aotearoa.
