Elizabeth Fort MA (Dist) BSc (Hons) CertHE: Dance Teaching (Dist) [email protected] : 07881 508057 : 15a Gibson Street, , SE10 9AD

PROFILE London based performing artist, choreographer, Higher Education dance teacher educator and researcher with an MA in Community Dance from University of Roehampton and a practice based research interest in community practice, collaboration, inclusion and dance teacher professional development. Lizz was the recipient of the ‘Roehampton Dance Award for Outstanding Development as a Research Student.’ Lizz’s emerging choreographic and artistic practice shifts between participatory installation (“...frommetoyoufromyoutome...” , Sold it on Ebay and The Q), exhibition (“...the conversation...” ), site specific work for BA students (Notice. Copy. Amplify: An Alternative Promenade) and dance making in school and community settings. Dance teaching experience spans higher education, mainstream and SEN schools, adult community classes and occasional cover for a MENCAP dance class. Currently performing member of Amici Dance Theatre Company, she has also performed for choreographer Amy Robinson, Ann Dickie and From Here To Maturity dance company, and Magpie Dance. Her freelance portfolio career has included project management for two inclusive dance performance projects for Magpie Dance in partnership with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures (2012), and The Transition Team & Disabled Children’s Team for The London Borough of Bromley (2011).

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Royal Academy of Dance, September 2012 – Present (full time), Lecturer in Dance Education, Student Support Officer, Designated Safeguarding Officer  Teaching responsibilities on the BA (Hons) Ballet Education, BA(Hons) Dance Education, Professional Dancers Teaching Diploma, Diploma in Dance Teaching Studies & PGCE: Dance Teaching including community dance, inclusive practice and choreography. Tutoring students on teaching placements. Dissertation supervision  Supporting students with additional learning needs, providing pastoral support & signposting external services where required, ensuring tutoring team are clear on policies & procedures for student support

Canterbury Christchurch University, September 2011 – June 2012, Module Leader: Dance Pedagogy, Module Leader: Dance Science 1 and Dance Science 2  Plan, deliver & develop module content, including assessment & marking. Theoretical & practical approach to delivery.

Magpie Dance, April 2012 – August 2012, Project Manager, The Ed Effect (fixed term contract)  Big Dance collaboration with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures. Manage planning, logistics & scheduling, performance marketing, documentation.

Whizz Kidz, July 2011-July 2012, Life Skills Trainer (fixed term contract)  Deliver a series of workshops to young wheelchair users, on being healthy, team skills, work skills, creative skills.

Magpie Dance, April 2011 – March 2012, General Manager (Maternity Cover)  Manage day-to-day operation of inclusive contemporary dance company, including administration for termly classes, special projects, performances. Marketing/PR. Safeguarding officer & managing sensitive participant/parent issues.

Magpie Dance / The Transition Team & Disabled Children’s Team, The London Borough of Bromley, November 2010 – April 2011, Project Manager, Transitions Project (fixed term contract)  Two arts organisations leading an integrated dance project with 18 participants from 5 schools towards performance.

Shobana Jeyasingh Dance, September 2009 – July 2010, Education Manager  Develop, deliver & evaluate education programme, including budgeting & strategy, marketing & PR. Established & developed a strong & successful Faultline repertory-based GCSE Dance workshop programme to support

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Elizabeth Fort MA (Dist) BSc (Hons) CertHE: Dance Teaching (Dist) [email protected] : 07881 508057 : 15a Gibson Street, London, SE10 9AD

teachers/students including resources, workshops & INSET days. Managed teaching artist training & professional development.

Shobana Jeyasingh Dance, September 2008 – August 2009, Company Assistant  Day to day company administration, marketing & PR

Freelance, January 2003 – September 2012 Community Dance Artist  Planning, delivering & evaluating dance classes for children, young people, older adults and people with. Contracts included Hordle Walhampton School, Greenwich Dance, Arts Depot, Magpie Dance, 3D dance (HE workshop for 2nd year BA(Hons) Dance Education students on inclusion followed by SEN school workshops)

Galliard Healthcare Communications, July 2005 – September 2008, from Senior Account Manager to Account Director  Develop, implement & evaluate PR campaigns & projects for blue chip pharmaceutical companies

PR Consultant, October 2000 – June 2005, From Graduate trainee to Senior Account Manager  Consultancy & in-house, in the UK, Australia & New Zealand. Duties as above

PERFORMANCE  2016 (February) Silent Scream. Ch. Amy Robinson. Dir. Sarah Wilkinson. Chisenhale Dance Space.  2015 (September). 35 Amici Drive. Amici Dance Theatre. Artistic Director Wolfgang Stange. (Reviewed by The Guardian with 4 stars, and in the top 10 shows of 2016). Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.  2014 (April). Trails and Traces. From Here to Maturity and Age UK. Ch. Ann Dickie. Michaelis Theatre, University of Roehampton.

EDUCATION & TRAINING  2015 (September) Dramaturgy at Work, Sadlers Wells (Independent Dance)  2013-2015: MA Community Dance (Distinction), University of Roehampton. Recipient of the “Roehampton Dance Award for Outstanding Development as a Research Student”  2012-2013: Certificate in Safe & Effective Dance Practice, (Distinction - NQF Level 5)  2013 (August): Adam Benjamin and Kirstie Simson 4-day Advanced Improvisation workshop, University of Plymouth  2012 (March): Makaton Taster, Makaton Charity  2011 (September): Dance & Autism, Magpie Dance Internal Professional Development  2008-2009: Inclusive Dance Practice Training, Magpie Dance  2009 (June): Learning Outside the Classroom, Dance United  2005-2007: Certificate of Higher Education: Dance Teaching (Distinction) Royal Academy of Dance  1997-2000: BSc (Hons) Sport Science & Physiology (2:2), University of Leeds

RESEARCH INTERESTS Current projects  Dance Unstuck - inclusive ballet project with Gloucester Dance, , Jurg Koch, Elmhurst Ballet School and RAD teachers  Dance teacher professional development for the RAD’s Dance for Lifelong Wellbeing research project team (research paper pending)  Collaboration, The [Community] [Dance] Artist and The Collective Voice: Towards an Ecology of Community Practice (MA Dissertation) Other areas of interest  Choreography and curatorial practice  Inclusion, stylised and non-stylised movement in community dance practice

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Elizabeth Fort MA (Dist) BSc (Hons) CertHE: Dance Teaching (Dist) [email protected] : 07881 508057 : 15a Gibson Street, London, SE10 9AD

CONFERENCE PRESENTATION & ATTENDANCE  2016 (March): British Community Dance: Past, Present and Future (attending)  2015(November): Beyond the Tipping Point? Dance Disability and Law. Coventry (attending)  2014(November): People Dancing conference, Cardiff. (presenting)  2014 (June) University of Roehampton Post Graduate Colloquium On Feet, 6th June 2014. Presentation “Do dance steps help or hinder the aesthetic experience of community dance practice and its values?” and Panelist.  2014 (April): Laban Guild AGM & Annual Conference (attending)  2014 (March): Safe Dance Practice Part 1: Safe & Effective Turn out, MoveIt (co-leading a workshop/presentation with Janine Streuli)  2014 (March): Safe Dance Practice Part 2: Understanding Posture & Alignment (co-leading a workshop/presentation with Janine Streuli)  2013 (May): RAD Faculty of Education INSET presentation, Adapting & Translating technique for different bodies & minds: teaching considerations. Focus group discussion & research ideas (presentation)  2013 (April): Dance for Lifelong Wellbeing conference, Royal Academy of Dance (attending)  2013 (March): Safe & Effective Dance Practice, MoveIt (co-leading a workshop/presentation)

ARTICLES AND PUBLICATIONS  Blog www.pizzawidows.wordpress.com  Fort, Elizabeth. The conference was called people dancing...so that’s what we did. RAD. 7 Jan 2015. Web.  Fort, Elizabeth. Duty of Care. Dance for Lifelong Wellbeing: Project Report 2013. Ed. Victoria Watts. Royal Academy of Dance: London, 2013. 18-27. Print

PROFESSIONAL memberships & industry involvement  Member, People Dancing: Foundation for Community Dance (current)  Member, Laban Guild (current)  Member, Dance UK (current)  Individual Member, Cultural Learning Alliance (current)  Honorary Life Member, University of Leeds Student Union (current)  Member, National Inclusive Dance Network (current)  Member, Dance Education Committee (2008-2012)

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