A step in the right direction

In 2005 a group of eight young dancers vowed to change the world with dance.

And last year, The Right Foot project was created to do just that.

Established by Sydney-based not-for-profit contemporary dance organisation, DirtyFeet, the group takes pride in giving opportunities to those in the community who may not otherwise have access to dance. DirtyFeet supports independent artists while promoting community engagement in the arts.

“There was a group of us at dance class who wanted to extend our training and experience further,” said Sarah Fiddaman, creator and director of DirtyFeet.

Ms Fiddaman said she had always been interested in finding ways for professional artists to share their skills with the community.

“There was an identified need for young people with a disability to connect with professional dance practitioners, so we stepped in to fill the gap,” she said.

The majority of The Right Foot participants have intellectual disabilities, and some have physical and mental illnesses. Ms Fiddaman recalled once witnessing a young a man bound out of his wheelchair to continue a floor exercise saying, “I am not the kind of boy who stays in my chair”.

“[The Right Foot is about] watching people gain confidence and acquire new skills, seeing them overcome obstacles and witnessing their growth as individuals over the time we spend with them,” said Ms Fiddaman.

“Knowing that you have assisted them in their journey is the most rewarding part. I have discovered that there is so much to learn from everyone – no matter what their ability.”

With explicit objectives for their organisation, the venture’s founders and directors are always looking for ways to fulfill their three-fold mission statement: to support the growth of independent contemporary dance artists in Sydney, provide opportunities for the creation of new Australian dance works with a distinct focus on nurturing emerging choreographic talent, and to give back to the community.

The workshops, led by Winston Churchill Fellowship winner Sarah-Vyne Vassallo, are open for people with and without disabilities between the ages 14 and 26.

This year DirtyFeet received a grant form Arts NSW to continue The Right Foot and is now offering eight workshops in September and a two-week creative development in partnership with FORM dance projects.

Workshop participant Chris Bunton said The Right Foot project had helped him “make new friends and keep in touch with old ones”. He said each session began with a warm-up followed by dance technique and creative tasks.

Performing contemporary dance movements and playing multiple games in workshops provides an outlet for performers to express their emotions and feelings.

“Without using a voice, instead we use our bodies to tell a story,” said Mr Bunton.

The Right Foot project takes place on Saturday October 5 and 12 at Redfern Town Hall, starting at 10am.

By Triana O’Keefe