Back and Forth
and Forth and Back

Image by Tui Makkonen

a relaxed, sensory dance performance
exploring neurodivergent flow

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Back and Forth and Forth and Back (BFFB) transcends you to The Zone – a sensory installation and dreamy, alternate dimension of neurodivergent consciousness, where time ceases to exist as we know it.

Through ritual and duration, all journey together through three distinct states of being in The Zone - the Neuroqueer Sphere, the Shadow Zone, and the After Dark - as a sensory-seeking bodymind explores inner (and outer) worlds of their neurodivergent joy, pain, and pleasure. In a transcendental atmosphere of rhythmic music, tactile materiality, and self-stimulating action, a choreography of movement, object, and unfolds in ‘the now’. An experimental performance of repetition, rhythm, and sensorial play, BFFB forms a loop-like, stimmy, playful, and slightly raunchy embodiment of neuroqueer sensory being.

BFFB specifically centres - but is not exclusive to - neurodivergent adult engagement. In a relaxed sensory space where audiences are encouraged to respond naturally and follow their own playful flow of attention, BFFB makes democratic space to gather, move, stim, and have permission to collectively be themselves.

BFFB is commissioned and supported by Unlimited, celebrating the work of disabled artists, with funding from Creative Scotland. further support from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, The Work Room and Level Centre.

BFFB is currently in development and is seeking funding and partners to support the next final of development and premiere performance.

CREATIVE TEAM:

Aby Watson // PERFORMANCE, CHOREOGRAPHY, CONCEPT
Laura Fisher // PRODUCTION
Aniela Piasecka // MOVEMENT DIRECTION, DRAMATURGY
Patricia Panther // MUSIC COMPOSITION, SOUND DESIGN
Ewan Sinclair of Soundplay Projects // SENSORY SPACE DESIGN
Thom Scullion // DIRECTION, WORLD-BUILDING, ACCESS SUPPORT
Penny Chivas // ACCESS SUPPORT, CHOREOGRAPHY ASSISTANCE
Jess Thom // RELAXED PERFORMANCE MENTORSHIP
Natalya Martin // SENSORY PERFORMANCE CONSULTATION
Claire Cunningham // OUTSIDE EYES

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^ Development at ‘Residency Lab’ Level Centre, July 2022

Audience feedback:

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Audience feedback: 〰️

Really crafted out a ‘zone’ and I loved the moving through different moments/experiences of spacing out - through loosening… through shadow… through sensuality

THRILLING, JOYOUS, SAFE, POWERFUL AND FUN

Sparkly, airy, flowy, loopish, spirally

Felt like I was in a club… Felt like I was yearning for something

Her passion is powerful… Makes me want to find my powerful passion

Emotionally interesting - both calming and arousing

The whole thing felt like – TAKE MY HAND AND LET’S HAVE SOME SAFE FUN

I LOVED IT! <3