Dance group sign up with University

A critically-acclaimed dance theatre company has reached a landmark agreement to work with Buckinghamshire New University. Signdance Collective, which comprises deaf and disabled artists, has taken up a first-of-its-kind role as Company-in-Residence at the University. The dance company, which won the prestigious AMI Award for Dance 2009, has toured the world and works alongside composers and musicians.

Their role at the University will involve organising workshops and arranging professional experience for students, as well as collaborating on new projects and providing valuable research opportunities for academic employees and students. In return, Signdance Collective will be able to use Bucks’ facilities and performance space, and work with creative practitioners from across the Faculty of Design, Media & Management.

On Sunday (31 January 2010) Signdance Collective held the first of what are intended to be regular open rehearsals in the University’s theatre, on the ground floor of The Gateway building.

Ruth Gunstone, Director of Student Experience and Acting Head of School for Design, Craft & Visual Arts at Bucks New University, said the collaboration promised to be an ‘exciting partnership’. Isolte Avila, Dance Director of Signdance Collective, said the partnership marked the first time a company of its status had been able to work within a university. She said: “We are honoured to take on this role."