Jolt, a pioneer of innovative, inclusive dance practice in Ōtautahi Christchurch, will represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the Gathered Together Festival in Glasgow from 4 to 7 September.

Jolt will participate in the biennial International Inclusive Dance Festival – Gathered Together, hosted by Indepen-dance at Tramway in Glasgow. Jolt will present “Whakapapa”, a performance piece that tells the stories of six Jolt dancers.

The team will also deliver a workshop on Jolt techniques and a presentation on its ground-breaking Move Programme, a unique approach to dance teacher training for people with intellectual disabilities. 

Jolt has pioneered innovative, inclusive dance practice since 2001 with programmes that challenge mainstream perspectives about dance, disability and difference by exploring movements and connections that are artistically unique.

Sharing the stories of six dancers

“Whakapapa” shares the stories of six dancers with intellectual disabilities: Joel Forman, Jokani Coe, Robert Sopoaga, Jono Bennett, Jacob Levington and Lachlan Oakes. Each story explores ideas of identity and connection to culture, history and ancestors through dance, text and film.

Jacob Levington speaks to his family tree through personal tributes while Lachlan Oakes shares his passion for aeroplanes and the freedom of flight. Jokani Coe’s piece, “There is a Mountain inside my Head”, remembers his connection to the mountains in Rarotonga. Joel Forman’s piece tells the story of his great great grandmother Hana Kai Kai and his own story of his two whānau – his adopted Pākehā whānau and his reconnection to his birth Māori whānau.

Robert Sopoaga and Jono Bennett are unable to travel to Glasgow and will share their stories through film. Jono’s story, “The Tree”, was developed in Jolt’s writers’ workshops in 2022 and shares memories of his mother. Robert Sopoaga’s Siva (Samoan dance) highlights the mana of the performers, and the importance of cultural identity and community.

Jolt dancers are supported on stage by dancer Aleasha Seaward and actor Renée Ryan.

Jolt’s unique approach to leadership and inclusive teaching

All the performers in “Whakapapa” are also Move-trained teachers. Alongside their performance in Glasgow, they will share Jolt’s unique approach to leadership and inclusive teaching.

“The skills I bring as a teacher are different,” says Lachlan Oakes, Move trainee and “Whakapapa” performer. “Sometimes as a teacher you do need to push people out of their comfort zones but still make sure they feel safe.”

Move trainees demonstrate not only their capacity for leadership but also their ability to connect with diverse communities and engage them in dance.

Artistic Director of Indepen-dance Karen Anderson is delighted to welcome Jolt to the 5th Gathered Together Festival “Our festival shines a light on disabled dance artists from across the World, Jolt dance company members will have the opportunity to present their dance performance on the iconic stage in Tramway as well as sharing their skills and knowledge in inclusive dance practice with the festival delegates.”

“Whakapapa” was first performed at Off Centre, a festival held at The Arts Centre (Ōtautahi) in March 2023 and has been presented in Christchurch at high schools, day service providers, for Vaka Tautua, Ngā Hau e Wha and at Hakatere Marae Matariki Celebrations.

Jolt is grateful for the support of its funders without which projects like this could not happen. The creation and touring of “Whakapapa” has been supported by Creative New Zealand and Christchurch City Council (Creative Communities).

The Move Programme is supported by funding from The IHC Foundation, Hugo Charitable Trust, The Blogg Trust and Maurice Carter Foundation.

Jolt is supported by The Rata Foundation, Tū Manawa, NZ Community Trust, Community Organisation Grants Scheme, the Lamar Trust, Pub Charity, The Trusts Community Foundation, Kiwi Gaming Foundation and Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

A preview performance of “Whakapapa” will be presented at The Piano in Ōtautahi on Tuesday 20 August at 7pm. Door sales and pay what you can (cash only).

About Jolt

Founded in 2001 by Artistic Director Lyn Cotton, Jolt’s whānau currently comprises over 200 dancers with intellectual disabilities aged between 8 and 60+. Our inclusive teaching team, which includes Move trained disabled dance leaders as tutors and assistants, work across 20 different weekly classes, nurturing the talents and building the skills of our dancers. Jolt has also developed a dynamic performance programme that has expanded the boundaries of creativity. Audiences both with and without disabilities have been taken to places they haven’t been before, and which have altered their world view. 

About Indepen-dance

Indepen-dance was founded in Glasgow Scotland 1996 by Karen Anderson on the principle of access, participation and inclusion. The company aims to create opportunities for disabled and non-disabled people and companions to enjoy, express and fulfil their potential through dance.

About Gathered Together

Gathered Together is a celebration of difference, a festival of inclusive dance performances, workshops and an opportunity to connect. Gathered Together 2024 runs at The Tramway in Glasgow from 4 to 7 September.

For more information

Interviews are available with Jolt Artistic Director Lyn Cotton and the performance team of "Whakapapa". 

Video available.

Please contact Rachel Tully, General Manager, Jolt

E: rachel.tully@joltdance.co.nz

T: 022 090 1705