A family navigating the emotions of grief had a chance to explore their thoughts and feelings during a creative dance and technology workshop.
The special event was hosted by Ipswich-based DanceEast and run by KDE Dance, in collaboration with East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
Mum Laura Brinkley and daughters Evelyn, ten, and Grace, eight, had the chance to experience an immersive performance and take part in creative movement activities exploring themes of space, dreams, technology and friendship. Elliot, their son and brother respectively, had an undiagnosed genetic disorder and died when he was 15 days old in February 2013.
The morning began with a 20-minute performance in which dancers used movement, music and motion capture suits to create a visually striking experience, with their choreography projected onto a large screen behind them.
The combination of live performance and digital technology offered an engaging and accessible introduction to contemporary dance.
“Working with this family and the EACH team was a very special experience,” said Katie Dale-Everett, Artistic Director of KDE Dance.
“We loved getting to know the participants and witnessing them share moments of joy together, while also being able to offer the group new creative and technical skills.
“Thank you to EACH and DanceEast for believing in the project and supporting us to deliver our first bereavement day offering. Given the success of the day, we hope to be able to offer this to more bereavement support services in the future.”
The aim of the day was to create an inclusive, creative experience, by combining contemporary performance with hands-on participation.
The workshop offered a unique space for families to spend time together, explore creativity and enjoy a shared experience outside of their everyday routines.
After the morning performance, they took part in interactive movement games, including mirror exercises and learning short choreographed sequences.
After lunch, they were invited to try on the motion capture suits themselves, experimenting with movement and creating their own visual effects on screen.
“The day was designed not only as a performance experience but as an opportunity for shared creativity, play and connection,” said EACH Play Specialist Hailey Allen.
“The technology was incredibly effective, and I know the family enjoyed doing something special and unique together.
“It was a shared experience for them, and we’re immensely grateful to Katie and KDE Dance.
“We always welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with other groups and organisations within our community and hope this is something that can be repeated in the future.”
Laura said: “It was such a special and beautiful experience – something we all loved and were able to enjoy together.
“I always grab any opportunity to do things like this, because it’s a chance to take some time and indulge in our memories of Elliot. As strange as it may sound, it makes me feel closer to him, as though we’ve spent the day together.
“Everyone was so accommodating, and we were very grateful to KDE Dance, DanceEast and EACH.”
