Established following COVID lockdowns, which left many people isolated, Company of People is an intergenerational performance company. Rooted in Chapeltown and Harehills the project aimed to bring local people together to co-create and perform work for a professional stage which reflects the groups’ lives and experiences.

Since 2021 Company of People have developed and performed two new works with their latest piece Epic Everyday touring to The Netherlands and Italy.

Company of People member, Kath explains what the project has meant to her: 

“I’ve had the absolute pleasure of working with such a wide-ranging but completely inclusive group of people. I’ve experienced friendship and support from everyone and I’ve been a friend and support to others. I’ve enjoyed learning from such knowledgeable, highly experienced and understanding artists to express story-telling and emotion through dance. I’ve had the pleasure and the rewards of working collaboratively. I’ve experienced the joint pride we’ve achieved through that collaborative work”.

The feeling of friendship is shared throughout the group as Helen explains:

“We have built a family, a place where we belong and feel safe & cared for. A place to be our selves. There’s nothing else like it. There’s been time for us all to share ourselves, our stories, fears, happy and sad times. TC has a wonderful way of connecting with each & everyone of us, making us feel special, loved, and valued.”

Dance artists working on the project aimed to create a non-judgemental environment where everyone’s ideas were valued regardless of age or background. Robbie is one of the youngest members of the company: 

“I feel like it’s a place where everyone can be themselves, I love that age makes no difference, everyone in the group is very friendly.” 

For members, like Mike, Company of People was their first experience creating and expressing themselves through dance:

“I suppose Company of People found me! I didn’t see the potential of dance for communication and self expression through the body. This came to me like a flash when I started working with choreographer TC. Performance opened up parts of me that were not accessible in the non-epic everyday, something hitherto unexpressed, playful, extravagant, queer. It was a revelation.”

As they rehearsed for performances, members were nervous but excited to show their work and be ‘seen’. Helen comments:  

“Performing is daunting, challenging but also life affirming, it gives you a great sense of achievement and pride. Not only in yourself but of others and the whole group. Witnessing the sense of achievement, pride and self-belief in others after a performance is one of the most important things I will treasure. There was an aura about the people who had performed for the first time.” 

For younger members of the group, performing gave a sense of achievement and new found confidence.  Grace is the youngest company member of Company of People and performed a duet in latest work Epic Everyday: 

“Going to Holland has made a massive impact on my life because it has taught me to try new experiences, be myself and love every moment when performing.  This experience has given me the confidence to be more independent.”   

Company of People demonstrates that work co-created with communities can be professional, valuable and life changing. As we head into 2024 Company of People embark on creating their next performance with Fevered Sleep, which will be presented at Ageless Festival 2024.