Top image: On the first day of the UK residency, the young dancers from both countries took part in creative movement activities focused on building connection and trust.
Young dancers from TIN Arts (England) and Perform[d]ance (Germany) came together in County Durham to complete the next stage of our Cultural Bridge project: an international collaboration that celebrates creativity, inclusion and shared heritage through dance.
Image: Leaders from both TIN Arts and Perform[D]ance facilitated workshops and tasks to devise materials
After a series of online sessions, the young dancers from Germany travelled to Durham to complete the next stages of a new digital dance work, North East Moves, filming across some of County Durham’s most iconic and historic locations. Some footage had already been captured earlier in North East Germany, when two young people from TIN Arts travelled there to work with the Perform[d]ance group in September.
From the moment the groups met in person, there was a genuine sense of curiosity and ease as they picked up movement they had begun online and started working together face to face. Across the residency, the dancers explored a mix of creative tasks, shared classes and filming in a range of locations that reflected the industrial histories of both regions.
Image: Representatives from both the Goethe Institut and Arts Council England dropped in to meet the young people and hear more about the ongoing collaboration
Filming took place at Redhills Miners’ Hall, Beamish Museum, Hownsgill Viaduct and Raby Castle’s Dutch Barn, each space offering something different and helping shape the feel of the final work. The mix of indoor studios, heritage sites and wide-open landscapes meant the young people were constantly adapting, supporting one another and trying new ideas as a group.
Time together outside of filming also played a big part in how the week unfolded. Shared meals, warm-ups between locations, and the simple act of travelling together helped the group settle quickly and build an easy rapport. By the end of the residency, it was clear how much confidence they had gained from one another, both socially and as dancer.
On the last day of the residency and after the final pieces of footage were captured, everyone came together for a closing ‘wrap party’. It was a relaxed, fun end to a busy and rewarding few days, and a chance for the young people to reflect on what they had achieved together.
Images:
Top left: Whilst filming in Stralsund, Germany, connecting during the breaks has been as important and enriching for forming new friendships and bonds as the movement / devising opportunities
Top right: Filming on location at Beamish Museum in County Durham capturing movement set against the iconic backdrop of a mine
Bottom left: Filming inside the Peoples Parliament at Redhills in Durham City. Redhills was the democratic assembly of Durham miners where elected representatives met to debate and decide on wages, working conditions, and social issues.
Bottom right: Some filming took place in isolated rural (and very cold!) settings capturing the scale and contrasting locations available for filming across County Durham.
Reflections
One of the young dancers from TIN Arts said “Inclusive practice is not rocket science – the German dancers adopted this really well and quickly through their kindness.” Another reflected, “It was a reminder that everyone works differently but can bond through the universal language of dance.”
For many, the experience highlighted how dance can remove barriers. One of the young people from Germany said “When talking to the English dancers, there often were misunderstandings, but soon we realised that while dancing, language barriers and all the other differences didn't really matter.”
Images:
Top left: Throughout the week there were constant sharings of movement created so that the groups could reflect on what they had created and refine the material in preparation for filming
Top right: Dancers from both countries working together on balance, trust and connection
Bottom left: At the start of our collaboration, we met virtually online to build connections as well as start to develop movement vocabulary
Bottom right: Ideas for the new digital dance film started forming in September when TIN Arts visited Germany as part of a planning residency ahead of the visit by Perform[D]ance to the UK in October
Another from Perform[d]ance described how seeing inclusive approaches in action changed her perspective: “The exchange with the English dancers was exciting as it was fascinating to see what methods they use in their training. Their different approach to teaching dance was inspiring and I was able to learn a lot about another perspective to dance.”
Value was found in the connections made throughout the experience: “It was exciting and interesting to try out new things and ideas, while connecting to completely new people. It’s wonderful to look back and realise that all these once unknown people are no longer strangers.”
The young people from Durham echoed similar ideas of mutual learning and connection, with one sharing: “They were an inspiration to us and helped us grow in confidence.” Another added simply, “There’s no language barrier through dance.”
The exchange resulted in more than the dance film itself. It was a week that brought people together, sparked new friendships and left everyone with memories to carry forward beyond the project.
The final film will be premiered in February 2026 so watch out for more news on how to be a part of this exciting event soon!
Image: Each day the groups warmed-up together reconnecting and building energy for the day ahead