Step Change Studios to Represent UK at Ground-breaking Inclusive Dance Festival in US

Step Change Studio & KPD dancers in London. Photo by Stephanie Claire

Award-winning inclusive dance company Step Change Studios, has been invited to represent the UK at a ground-breaking festival for physically integrated dance, in the United States. FORWARD MOTION, produced by Florida-based Karen Peterson and Dancers, is one of the first festivals and conferences anywhere in the world, showcasing pioneering, innovate physically integrated dance. This bold festival – inclusive of those with and without disabilities, on stage, and in the audience – challenges artistic and societal perceptions of what defines physical beauty, and artistic ability.

Forward Motion will take place in the Unites States from 25-28th September, and feature some of the best dance companies of any kind, in performance, in discussion and expert workshops. With leading support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the National Endowment of the Arts, and Miami Dade County, KPD has put together a powerful line-up that will appeal to American audiences, as well as help define what physically integrated dance is in 2019.
Inclusive dance company, Step Change Studios, is the only UK organization invited by KPD to participate in Forward Motion. Along with US funding, Arts Council England has supported a US-UK exchange which saw dancers from the US perform a newly created piece with dancers from Step Change Studios at the National Theatre Summer Stage in London, earlier this month.

Karen Peterson, Artistic Director of Forward Motion said: "It is a pleasure for Karen Peterson and Dancers to invite Step Change Studios to the Miami festival to teach and perform. This will be the first time KPD dancers have facilitated an international cultural exchange with a ballroom dance company and the first time inclusive ballroom dance has been presented and taught in Miami. We are especially excited to view the UK-US collaborative performance developed in London at Forward Motion.”

'Fairy Tales'. Photo by Stephen Wright

Step Change Studios Founder, Rashmi Becker said: "I established Step Change Studios just two years ago to address the lack of dance opportunities for disabled people. In a short space of time, we have supported over 2,000 people to dance. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to represent UK dance at this pioneering festival in the U.S. As well as performing our newly created dance piece with KPD dancers, we will be performing highlights from our recent hit show ‘Fairy Tales’ which premiered in London earlier this year. I will also be moderating a panel discussion on art and advocacy. I hope our work will challenge perceptions of who can dance and encourage more diversity in the arts both in the UK and internationally."

Notes and contacts:

1. Forward Motion will take place Miami from 25-28th September.
For details and tickets visit: www.karenpetersondancers.org/forwardmotion

2. For interview or photography requests, please contact: Step Change Studios: Rashmi Becker at contact@stepchangestudios.com.