Led by Jennifer Christine Stokes, award-winning Reside Dance C.I.C. is, currently, Reading’s only professional contemporary dance company. Born out of Reading 2016: Year of Culture and linking to the Reading 2050 vision and Reading’s Culture and Heritage Strategy Statement of Intent, the company aim to bring individuals and communities together by developing connections to places and others through dance and movement. With a focus on serving the people of Reading, our work addresses health and social issues that are prevalent to Reading life.
Drawing upon techniques and processes from contemporary dance, cultural dance, somatic practice and social choreography, the company aim to strengthen the town’s dance offering by delivering innovative, high quality and accessible performances, sessions and programmes that are inclusive and celebrate the cultural diversity of the town. Our work currently consists of three strands: Research, Community-Based Performance and Training and Education. Our team consists of registered Dance Movement Psychotherapists as well as Professional Dance Artists.
Following on from the Artistic Director’s robust socio-choreographic practice and evaluation methodology that evidenced how dance can help domestic abuse survivors feel more at home in refuge and why it might be important for their health and wellbeing, we are keen to work more closely with the NHS and expand our work to meeting BOB ICS system goals on physical and mental health. Over the past 8 years, we have worked with individuals and groups who have experienced musculoskeletal pain, low-level anxiety, stress and depression, and recent trauma. We have also worked with young people with physical and learning disabilities, and culturally diverse families from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Company logo by Hector Penrose.
© 2024 Reside Dance C.I.C. All rights reserved. Reside Dance C.I.C. is a Community Interest Company, a private company limited by guarantee and is registered in England and Wales. Company Number: 11540251.
