Pro Dance Oxford Morning Class with Thomas Page

Guided Improvisation into Floor Work Technique Class

What to expect:

Easing into the day, we’ll start with a gentle floor-based improvisation to warm-up using the breath to support soft articulations of the body.

Continuing on the floor we will move through a series of exercises that incorporate an exploration of puzzles, playfulness, and preparations to build towards a longer phrase with a focus on maximising movement.

Dancers will be encouraged and supported to find their individual flow in class, allowing the taught movement to be digested in a way that works best for them.

Please wear long sleeves, long trousers, and if you can bring knee pads with you to class.

Thomas Page:

Thomas Page (He/They) is a Queer Independent Dance Artist based in Oxford and the Artistic Director of Thomas Page Dances (TPD). Their practice encompasses three main focuses: choreography, teaching, and sector development through practice-based research.

Interconnected with their choreographic and research practices, Thomas’ teaching practice incorporates exploration of floor work, spinal articulation, and gestural play with the participants’ experience as the central focus of their classes. As a dance educator, Thomas primarily works at Swindon Dance and Rambert School as well as leading the TPD Training Programme for young dancers in Oxford. Thomas has also taught as a guest practitioner for various institutions including Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Rambert Dance, and Centre for Advanced Training programmes (Dance City, The Place, and Swindon Dance).

Thomas is also a co-founder of Pro Dance Oxford, associate artist of Arts at The Old Fire Station and Swindon Dance, and board member of Pegasus Theatre.

A note of level:

Professional and Advanced movement level.

*Please note all of our workshops are for adults (18+)

When and where to arrive:

The Old Fire Station has three entrances, we would advise you to use the entrance on George Street which will take you directly to the reception area.

We would recommend arriving about 30 minutes before the workshop start time. There are changing rooms on site, a member of Pro Dance Oxford will be around should you need anything, and the Arts at Old Fire Station Café do an amazing cup of coffee!

Suggestions for after class:

Oxford has an incredible independent food and drink community including the wonderful Damascus Rose Kitchen who are based out of the Arts at The Old Fire Station Café (The falafel wrap is our favourite!)

Other local hotspots that are all a short walk from the theatre are:

The Handle Bar (Coffee and Food) on St Michaels Street

Alpha Bar (Salad and Sandwiches) in Oxford’s Covered Market

The Art Café (Coffee and Food) opposite The Westgate

The Gloucester Green Market also has an amazing range of street food stalls and is open Wednesday-Saturday - it also is on the doorstep of The Old Fire Station if you use the Gallery Entrance!

Supported by Arts at The Old Fire Station, Dancin' Oxford, Thomas Page Dances and Oxford City Council (Community Impact Fund)

Host or Publisher Pro Dance Oxford