Ludus Dance Education Policy

'making dance a meaningful part of young people's lives'

Ludus Dance has always believed that education is an ongoing process; a concept now reflected in national initiatives towards life-long learning. The potential for individuals to grow and develop aesthetically, socially and academically within a creative, physical learning process is incalculable. Our policy reflects this belief, which translates into work that is stimulating, educational, enjoyable and grounded in this process.

We work with all age groups, abilities (including those with special needs), and ranges of experience, embracing social and cultural differences which enrich the educational experience. Our aim is to develop an individual's confidence, ability to think independently, understanding of themselves and their world and their awareness of and sensitivity towards others.

We do this by encouraging self-expression, communication, team work, creativity, imagination (problem solving) and an enjoyment of life.

Our work fulfils curriculum study programmes in several areas. Dance develops all levels of physical control and involves the use of speed, tension, movement and stillness. The exploration of moods and ideas, the development of themes and characters, the analysis of form and evaluation of work are essential elements of creative dance work.

Beyond curriculum needs we aim to establish a real love, understanding and enjoyment of dance in students and teachers and to re-affirm dance as an effective medium for conceptual and thematic expression.

Our objective is to provide the initial stimulus which can inspire either the creation of at least a term's worth of exciting cross-curricula work, or an ongoing dance project with young people.

The Ludus Service Working To Meet Your Needs

THE WORK

Ludus dance

• Has a 30 year history of work in education
• Has the accumulated wisdom of several generations of dancer-teachers resulting in a unique, self styled pedagogy
• Is the foremost British company dedicated to creating contemporary dance work for young people, with young people.

Ludus offers

• Unparalleled, exciting, high quality and accessible dance performance
• A choice of staging options: either utilising existing equipment within a theatre, or we provide all our own technical equipment to create a 'theatre' experience
• A unique process of developmental workshops leading to performance
• Non-performance development work
• One-off 'taster' workshops
• Teacher in-service sessions
• Thematically-based, week long residencies
• Lecture demonstrations
• Training for professional dancers working in education or for dance teachers in schools
• Tailor made residencies to meet your aims and needs
• Audience development initiatives
• Resource materials to facilitate the continuity of work after we leave
• 'Curtain Raiser' - Performance Groups

Ludus can also provide:

• Company class: participation or observation by arrangement
• Open professional classes
• Youth and community-based workshops

Ludus works with:

• School age students including primary and secondary
• Special needs groups
• Professional artists
• University and college students
• Youth and community groups
• Teachers

THE DELIVERY

The Ludus Service:

• We work to constantly improve our service to young people, teachers, first-time dance audiences and venue bookers
• We arrange all travel (mainland UK) and accommodation
• We will attend any pre-residency meeting
• We will deliver presentation to help promotion and recruitment
• We provide publicity materials - posters, flyer, photographs
• We provide sample press releases We offer free membership of Dance Café - the young friends club with an opportunity to keep in touch with the artists via the web site

The Service Can Include:

• A free documentary video to help with your promotion - based on a past show
• Personal letter of thanks to key participants or funders
• Copies of evaluation and feedback

The Financial Service includes:

• Advice on fund-raising to help you make the residency happen
• Opportunities for three-show relationships to save you money and to help with sustained, strategic development over a four year period
• Audience development initiatives
• Longer residencies at discounted rates
• Shorter residencies and single shows by negotiation
• Subsidised rates for bookings in the ACE NW region

Available to:

• Schools and colleges
• Arts centres
• Theatre
• Festivals
• Universities
• Youth Service
• Dance development officers
• Large-scale community project co-ordinators

Ludus Experience

…is the result of a process which creates shows, workshop and follow up materials especially for you. Ludus, the foremost dance company producing work for young people, is firmly committed to total accessibility. We aim to encourage young people to view dance as an essential part of their lives, opening up new avenues for imagination, self-expression and confidence.

The Ludus approach brings you brilliant, vibrant dance entertainment with quality shows designed to be thematically relevant and exciting to young people. Our self-contained productions transform any space, be it a school, a festival site, college or community setting, creating a 'theatre' which will enhance your involvement and enjoyment. We work in theatres and arts centres too!

Ludus believes that dance is a participatory activity, open to everyone regardless of age, previous experience or ability. We are strongly committed to dance as an education medium, creating the 'scaffold' within which young people can make their own work in a safe, secure and energised environment. Tailor-made residencies will meet all your education and dance requirements. We will create an enthusiasm for contemporary dance you had never suspected was there, raising your profile and increasing your audiences.