• Tickets: Standard: £20 | Pay More: £25 | Pay Less: £15
  • Company: Pro Dance Oxford
  • Ages: 16+

Details

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Playful Somaesthetics as Performance Practice

With this workshop you can explore felt rhythms, notations and tactile explorations, drawing from the expertise of choreographer and dancer, Attila Andrasi (UK/HU), who embodies an enriching blend of performance practice, somaesthetic concepts and clown practice.

What to expect:

Embark on an exploratory journey in this workshop, delving into scores, games, and diverse variations of felt rhythms through tactile engagement. The aim is to cultivate mindfulness as well as perceptive listening and observation of physical manifestations. Drawing inspiration from Authentic Movement and the Skinner Releasing Technique, participants will immerse themselves in a practice-led learning approach, granting them the freedom to autonomously explore and experiment. Throughout the workshop, emphasis will be placed on understanding the interplay between body, space, and rhythms, enabling participants to construct their own creative toolkit. Tracing papers will serve as reflective tools, aiding in the observation of spatial exploration and documenting the evolving journey. These insights will be woven into a performance practice etude, enhancing the layered embodiment of the experience.

Attila Andrasi:

Attila Andrasi (UK/HU) is a graduate of the Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance and holds an MFA in Choreography from Trinity Laban Conservatoire, where he received a Leverhulme Arts scholarship. His work has been performed at Sismomgraf Dance Festival, Festival 10 Sentidos, and Resolution Festival. Attila has participated in residencies at Roca Umbert de la Arts, Teatre Municipal de Lloret de Mar, Theatre L’ateneu De Carla, and the Desembre en Dansa Festival. He has also conducted workshops at Choreolab Festival, Tate Modern, Trinity Laban, and Kinetic Dance Space. In addition, Attila has received support from the Hungarian National Dance Theatre, the Hungarian Ministry of Human Resources, and Arts Council England. His practice focuses on neuroqueer dance and performance, exploring embodied experiences through performance practice, somaesthetic notions, and clown practice.

Level and Safe Space:

“There will be a physical warm-up where coordination, repetition of movement patterns, and use of energy will be essential. We will focus on sensing, perceiving, and listening intuitively to generated movement sources. This requires a high level of awareness, internal curiosity, and a playful mindset. The space will be held with a non-judgmental, divergent, inclusive space offering opportunity for neurodivergence, non-binary and trans people to feel safe.” – Attila

Brief Outline of the day:

10:00 – 12:00 morning movement class

12:00 – 12:45 Lunch Break + getting back to studio.

13:00 – 16.00 Afternoon session

When and where to arrive:

The Old Fire Station has three entrances, we would advise you to use the entrance on George Street which will take you directly to the reception area.

We would recommend arriving about 30 minutes before the workshop start time. There are changing rooms on site, a member of Pro Dance Oxford will be around should you need anything, and the Arts at Old Fire Station Café do an amazing cup of coffee!

Suggestions for the Lunch Break:

Oxford has an incredible independent food and drink community including the wonderful Damascus Rose Kitchen who are based out of the Arts at The Old Fire Station Café (The falafel wrap is our favourite!)

Other local hotspots that are all a short walk from the theatre are:

The Handle Bar (Coffee and Food) on St Michaels Street

Alpha Bar (Salad and Sandwiches) in Oxford’s Covered Market

The Art Café (Coffee and Food) opposite The Westgate

The Gloucester Green Market also has an amazing range of street food stalls and is open Wednesday-Saturday – it also is on the doorstep of The Old Fire Station if you use the Gallery Entrance!

Supported by Arts at The Old Fire Station, Dancin’ Oxford, Thomas Page Dances and Oxford City Council (Community Impact Fund)

Lead image by Sara Howells

Parking & Access

Parking

There are a number of Blue Badge parking spaces nearby on Beaumont Street, and more on New Inn Hall Street and St Giles.

The closest car park is Gloucester Green Car Park, accessed via Gloucester Street.

If you have any questions or concerns, the City Council’s Access Officer can be reached at 01865 249811.

Getting here

We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint, but we need your help. Use ecoway, our sustainable travel planner, to see the most eco-friendly options for your journey to Old Fire Station, and plan a bespoke and flexible route. ecoway is easy to use and you’ll be kept up to date with any disruption or changes to your journey plan.

Car parks in Oxford Blue Badge information Public transport in Oxford

Access

Disabled patrons are eligible for one free companion ticket with their booking. To book this, contact the ticket office: tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or 01865 263990.

There are two entrances to the Old Fire Station: 40 George Street via the foyer, and on Gloucester Green via the shop. Both are step-free. If you are coming to a show, we ask that you use the George Street entrance, as the Gloucester Green entrance is not always open.

Events in the Theatre

There is level entry to the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the main Theatre (where most shows take place).

If you are a wheelchair user attending a sit-down show, space will be reserved for you. If you are attending a standing gig, please contact us (call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk) and we will talk with you about your needs.

Events in the Studio

There is level entry into the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the Studio.

Events in the Loft

There are six steps leading up to the Loft space, with no lift. If you would like to discuss this to find out more, please get in touch.

The Gallery

There is step-free access to the Gallery – level entry through the George Street entrance, and via lift from the Gloucester Green entrance.

Facilities

Accessible toilet
There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor, accessible via platform lift. Other toilets are in the basement (accessible via lift).

Hearing assistance system
The Theatre is equipped with a hearing assistance system. If you have any questions about using it, please e-mail us at tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or phone 01865 263980.

Assistance dogs
All types of assistance and guide dogs are welcome at the Old Fire Station. It would be great if you could let us know in advance if you will be bringing a working dog to any performances – just e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.

Strobe lighting
We will warn visitors on the website and in the foyer of the venue if a performance is going to contain strobe lighting. If lighting affects you, and you have any concerns, please call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.

Chairs in the theatre
Our chairs are a standard dining-chair size, measuring 40cm deep by 37cm wide, with a metal frame. Some have arms, and some do not. They are all joined together at the sides, to form rows. If this is likely to pose a problem for you, please email tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk and we can discuss how to make your visit more comfortable.