Five Christchurch dancers with intellectual disabilities are preparing to travel to Rarotonga to teach inclusive dance workshops in schools and community organisations across the Cook Islands. The dancers are part of Ōtautahi-based Jolt, an inclusive dance company that trains people with intellectual disabilities as performers, teachers and leaders.
During the week-long residency, beginning 11 May the group will lead workshops with Nukutere College’s Inclusive Unit, Autism Cook Islands, the Creative Centre, and two local primary schools. The residency will conclude with a performance for local whānau and friends.
The travelling group includes five Kaitiaki Whaikaha — dancers with lived experience of intellectual disability who are leaders and tutors within Jolt.
Among them is Cook Island/Samoan dancer Jokani Coe, who will take a leadership role in the project and perform his piece “There is a Mountain Inside My Head”, which explores his reconnection with his Cook Islands heritage.
“My family is from the Cook Islands, I can’t wait to connect to the community in Rarotonga and I love teaching in Rarotonga and I can’t wait to eat the Cook Island donut as well!” says Jolt dancer Jokani Coe. “
Jolt Artistic Director Lyn Cotton says the project is all about the power of connections: “Aotearoa has a really close connection to the Cook Islands – we are a Pacific nation and have a shared history. It has always been a big dream for Jolt to go to Rarotonga. I’m excited about
connecting people with disabilities across cultures, across arts forms and across the moana to celebrate diversity and who people are as individuals”
Jolt is currently fundraising through a Boosted campaign to help cover flights, accommodation and artist fees for the residency. For more information or to donate, click here.