DANCER

Dancer deals with hierarchies, group formation, exclusion, polyphony and being a dancer. It started from a need to ​​be able to do more diverse and inclusive work as a choreographer. I live now and have lived in my childhood in a neurodiverse family. These experiences have raised the need to process the concept of being a dancer in a neurodiverse working group. I think that dancing as a profession is also a way of life and an alternative, it is not defined by diagnoses, academies or institutions.

Dancer premiered at Kiasma Theatre, Helsinki in September 2023

Choreography: Janina Rajakangas

Performers: Aino Laine, Rinja Sartolahti, Maija Reeta Raumanni, Ninu Lindfors, Maria Mäkelä, Kielo Kivinen, Bruno Zambrano, Tinja Nerkko, Tashi Iwaoka and interns Juska Ojajärvi, Vilma Tuomi ja Saara Milton (Riveria, degree programme in dance Outokumpu), and Miika Luukko (Vocational College Live, degree programme in dance)

Lighting and spatial design: Mateus Manninen

Sound design: Tuuli Kyttälä

Costume design: Kirsi Gum

Seamstress: Minna Kiiskinen

Designer of blue hats: Elina Lario

Dancers' support and accessible working: Jasmiina Sipilä

Audience engagement producer: Minna Jauho

Producer: Ulrika Vilke

Mentor: Frauke Requardt

Social media and experiential knowledge on neurodiversity: Fri Nilas Lindell

Production: Entirely Moved I Kaikki Liikkuu ry

Co-producers: Zodiak - Center for New Dance, Kiasma Theater, CODA Oslo International Dance Festival (Norway)

In collaboration with: Northern Sustainable Futures (Sweden)

Supported by: Nordic Culture Point, Finnish Cultural Foundation, Arts Promotion Center Finland, Culture Moves Europe, Finnish-Norwegian Cultural Foundation