A little Reflection about my Work with wired aerial theatre

All of my first encounters with Aerial Work have been with Wired Aerial Theatre. In 2014, whilst dancing with 12 Degrees North Dance Company, I was invited to attend a Vertical Wall professional development intensive for a partnership project with Left Coast. As a local artist, I did my very best to connect with the company throughout the years. I attended Bungee Assisted Dance Classes, I became a bungee workout instructor. I saw their performances in Liverpool and further afield and always thought it would be really cool to work with Wired. I kept in touch with the company and said yes to every opportunity. I have worked with Wired in a real mix of ways, from social media support, admin, performance and teaching. In 2021, I worked with Wired on Rigoletto as a performer where I was first introduced to double pick up harness work and working at height, I performed in front of crowds of 7000 people and lived my best life, in addition understudying 5 roles. It was my first time in the world of Opera, and my first international performance role. This is my second year teaching in HE alongside Moo. I really champion the work at LIPA. The discoveries and learning that come with the Bungee Assisted Dance. It can really support LIPA students to become reflexive and embodied performers, and everything learned with the bungee can also be applied to any dance practice. My teaching practice is action research, I am learning, and deeply curious about how to evolve my teaching practice of Bungee Assisted Dance. There is a real science to achieving freedom in motion on a bungee, and it offers so much pedagogical enquiry. I am always learning and developing my understanding of how best to communicate and share the learning. Both Moo and myself want to give the students the best experience with Bungee Assisted Dance. We know this is a relatively new art form, and the LIPA students bring themselves and their artistry to the discipline. I love the individuality and authenticity of LIPA students and we try to nurture that. In moments of improvisation, they find possibilities that inspire me. I think there is something wonderful about being a beginner in 3rd year. Maybe for years you have tested and refined your technique on the ground, and then Bungee Assisted Dance can add a whole new dimension and expand your awareness of the fundamentals. All the stuff you already know takes on a new meaning and perspective. There are no shortcuts when it comes to Bungee Assisted Dance. The bungee needs the data input to be clear, in order to achieve the desired outcome. I love students embracing that challenge! It's amazing to be a part of that journey and to see what happens to their dancing bodies over the course of the module as they become more settled, free and dynamic. Safety at Wired is number 1 and this for me is about creating the best possible environment to enable deep, embodied, and person- centred learning to happen. It is so much more than technical safety, although this is vital to ensure the future of our aerial industry is well equipped with artists that will enable the development of aerial practice with safety at the heart. Check, check and check again! It feels very much instilled in me through the training I have received with Wired. ​