Kirsty Redhead is the Creative Projects Producer at Yorkshire Dance. She reflects on her experience of developing Company of People from an initial idea to a fully-fledged performance company.

“Over the past three years I have had the privilege of working on Performing Gender: Dancing In Your Shoes and Company of People. I have connected with people across 8 European countries and witnessed first-hand how artistic processes can support community-building through genuine co-design between professional artists and community members.

Having worked on many intergenerational projects over my career, I have never had the opportunity to embark on a long-term project. In 3 years as a Company, we have experienced so much together, creating 2 new works, presenting the work in Leeds, The Netherlands and Italy. Through exchanges with artists in The Netherlands and Budapest, residencies, weekly and monthly sessions (and much more) we have gained so much from the experiences of being together, moving together and understanding how it feels to connect with others with similar and different lived experiences.

Having time on a project like this allows you to truly understand and appreciate what it means to care for people. With phone calls, booking a taxi, a hug, eating together and chatting, there are opportunities to share your life experiences and for your understanding of the world to be expanded. Sharing space together over time allows trust to develop with others and in yourself to navigate the multitude of practical and personal issues that arise. Wellbeing has always been at the heart of this project delicately maintained and bringing so much joy.

I have personally experienced how the artistic process within Company of People offers a deeper sense of connection with oneself and others. I have observed group members allowing themselves to be “seen” for the first time and finding their own physical expression and identity. I have seen the creation of a new community where everyone can feel safe. For all the members of Company of People, the last three years have been a period of self-discovery, of showing the world that this community of people from Leeds have something to express about who we are as individuals and as a collective.

The project demonstrates that deep engagement with communities does not have to result in performances that are somehow ‘less valuable’ or ‘less professional’ than works by choreographers. In Italy, audiences commented that Epic Everyday co-created with TC Howard was the best work they have seen at “Gender Bender” festival in 21 years. Company of People is proof that innovative and excellent works can result from deep collaborative practice with communities.

So, what next? In 2024 this amazing group of 12 – 86 year-olds are continuing to meet, to laugh and to make work together. All our lives have changed through this project and we have indeed Danced in the Shoes of others.”

Performing Gender: Dancing in Your Shoes (2021-24) explored gender and LGBTIA+ identities through the co-creation of new dance works with artists and 8 communities across Europe. Funded by Creative Europe, the project involved 11 European partners with Yorkshire Dance representing the UK. Here in Leeds, Yorkshire Dance established Company of People, an intergenerational community performance company.

Image: Kirsty Redhead (left) with members of Company of People, 2023 © Drazen Priganica