With adults
“Dance involves connecting with yourself, others, an environment, an audience. It’s about finding a place that feels right in the body.” – Susie Tate
Susie’s work is guided by a curiosity in difference and individuality. Her projects explore how we move and experience the world, with the participants at the heart of all she does. Susie works in partnership with other professionals, including occupational therapists and physiotherapists, to build projects where the participants themselves take ownership of their movement.
Everyone has their own story, a unique approach to movement, and their own personal goals. Susie’s work begins by understanding what is meaningful to that person. For some people, dancing and movement may be to achieve greater physical flexibility and aid recovery. For others, it is a communal experience that builds confidence and connection with others.
In her work with adults, Susie creates a supportive environment where participants – whatever their personal circumstances – move together equally as a group, exploring and creating through their movement. Stories are vividly told through eyes, facial expressions, and gesture as well as through the body.
“You only have to see the pleasure patients get when they start doing something they enjoy. Many believe they can’t take part but dance therapy can be done sitting or standing so it is very inclusive.” – Consultant stroke physician, North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust
Susie’s work with stroke survivors has been written about in the academic Journal of Applied Arts & Health: ‘About Being’: An interdisciplinary and collaborative arts and health project supporting the ongoing recovery of stroke survivors
With children
All children have a curiosity about their environment. Susie’s work with children specifically focuses on a child’s sensory world, using a variety of personalised ways to explore movement. Working alongside teachers and educators, and using props from soft scarves, to clay, to percussion instruments, Susie creates a safe, playful world.
While the benefits of dance and movement for children are universal, for children with physical and/or learning disabilities, co-creating dance together can particularly help their confidence. In a world that makes assumptions about their abilities, dance and movement can be empowering. Susie works at a child’s own pace, navigating challenges together with them, exploring their own sensory preferences. The atmosphere Susie creates is calming, creative, and supportive.
Susie is an associate artist of Dance Art Foundation, a London based performance company. The company has specialist expertise in working with children with profound and multiple learning disabilities in hospices and special schools through the Breathing Space programme.
“We move, we create, we dance. We are creative individuals.” – Children of Hexham Priory Special School, where Susie led a participatory dance project.