An Introduction to Stimprovisation | Aby Watson & Anne Kj

About An Introduction to Stimprovisation | Aby Watson & Anne Kj

‘An Introduction to Stimprovisation’ is a day-long workshop led by neurodivergent choreographers Dr Aby Watson and Anne Kjær for neurodivergent-identifying participants, introducing the physical practice of Stimprovisation. 

Stimprovisation is a practice of sensory-seeking improvisation, discovered and coined by Aby during her doctoral research. Stimprovisation draws on 'stimming' - repetitive movements, behaviours, and/or vocalisations to self-soothe, regulate, or stimulate to bring oneself into balance. Developed as a somatic practice for neurodivergent people, Stimprovisation acts to liberate neurodivergent embodiments through a choreographic practice of ‘unmasking’.

This workshop is for neurodivergent-identifying* people with an interest in…

• Stimming
• Sensory seeking
• Unmasked embodied expression
• Movement and performance
• Improvisation (of any medium)
• Vocalisation
• Neurodivergent ways of being together

Aby and Anne warmly invite participants who have previous experience and confidence working creatively, and who are curious and enthusiastic to explore stimprovisation. You do not need dance or performance experience to join us, various levels and backgrounds of creative practice are welcome.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

DATE: Saturday 5 October

TIME: 11:30 AM- 5:30  PM with an hour for lunch* and breaks throughout (*lunch is not provided, but there will be refreshments and snacks)

PLACE: Large Hall/ Gateway Hall, Ground Floor, Queens Park Govanhill Parish Church, 170 Queen's Dr, Glasgow G42 8QZ

PRICE: £5 (No one turned away for lack of funds. Please contact stimprovisation@gmail.com if this applies to you)

WHAT TO BRING

Please come in clothes suitable for movement ie. comfortable clothes with warm layers you can easily take on and off.

Footwear- Bring whatever is most comfortable and practical for your needs. This might be warm socks, bare feet or indoor trainers/gym shoes.

You may wish to bring a notebook and pen.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION- WORKSHOP

This workshop is a relaxed workshop, created and facilitated by neurodivergent artists.

Participants can move and sound freely, leave and return to the space as they wish, and use any self-regulation tools that are required.

A small number of ear defenders will be available and sensory sensitivity will be considered with levels of sound.

All workshop content is an invitation, you will not be forced to participate in anything you wish not to.

A support worker will be present on the day.

The capacity for this workshop is 20 participants with no more than 25 people in the room including facilitators and access support workers.

ACCESS STATEMENT

As well as being potentially joyful, we recognise that unmasking is also a potentially vulnerable personal process, and participants will have different responses and needs with being their authentic neurodivergent selves. Participants are encouraged to work with - respond to - their understandings of their own boundaries, needs, and capacities. Please reflect on if this is right for you. This workshop is a creative and explorative space towards wellbeing, but it is not a therapeutic space. 

We recognise that not everything can be accessible to everyone, and accessibility needs are often in conflict. The workshop seeks a care-centred approach, with a collective responsibility to care for ourselves and each other. 

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION- VENUE

Queens Park Govanhill Parish Church is wheelchair accessible. The event will be in the Large Hall which has step free access. The Stage in the Large Hall has stepped access.There are gendered toilets and a gender neutral accessible toilet adjacent to the hall.

CONTACT

If you have any other questions regarding access, or you’d like to chat to us related to access or the workshop, you can contact Aby & Anne in advance at: stimprovisation@gmail.com

SUPPORT

'An Introduction to Stimprovisation' is supported with seed funding from The Work Room's BEYOND fund. BEYOND is a seed funding initiative which nurtures artist led projects that seek to engage more people in dance, movement or choreographic practice. 

???? image by Anne Kjaer