What Makes A Village? Movement and Collective Imagination Workshop

Join artist Rachel Elizabeth Coleman for a gentle movement and collective imagination workshop to explore what ‘rural life’ means to us, and how we understand and relate to the idea of rural spaces and communities now.

Drawing from their practice as a dance artist, the session will use gentle movement such as walking, sitting and lying down to open up a warm and curious discussion about our personal experiences of rural life, what are some of the challenges rural communities face, and what makes these places unique and important.

This workshop is part of the creation of a new dance-theatre show ViLLAGERS, being made in the South West this year.

What Can I Expect from the Workshop?

Participants will be guided through a series of activities to open up honest and compassionate conversations with other participants. You might take a walk around the studio with another participant or have a discussion through writing. Some activities might be one-to-one, others in small groups.

The hope is that by bringing together gentle movement, participants will be able to share their experiences, ideas and questions in a new way, one that helps us listen and learn more from one another.

Who is the workshop for?

This workshop is open to anyone who lives rurally, or has experience of living in a ‘rural’ or ‘small’ place. You might live in a village, or have grown up in one but left. You might be a farmer or live in a hamlet, or be living in a van or caravan in a rural place. You might be none of these things but still have a connection to rural life in some way. Everyone is welcome.

There’s no age limit on this workshop, however anybody under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian - they will be your responsibility during the session.

Why is this workshop happening?

This workshop is part of the development of a new dance-theatre show made by Rachel Elizabeth Coleman called ViLLAGERS.

The piece is exploring the theme of rural life. This workshop is supported by Arts Council England and The Convivial.

About Rachel

Rachel is a dance artist and systems change practitioner based in Cornwall. Their work straddles the live arts and environmental sectors, bridging both through the power of embodied experience to deepen our connections with ourselves, our communities and the more-than-human world. Through their work they facilitate, perform, choreograph, direct and campaign for more resilient and connected communities.

Rachel likes to read, swim and ride their gravel bike. Learn more about their work: https://rachelelizabethcoleman.co.uk/

Host or Publisher Rachel Elizabeth Coleman