Workshop on Environmental Dance in Education, 22 Jul

Tuesday 22 July 2025, all-day
DeMontfort University, Leicester

Our Artistic Director Suba Subramaniam led an inspiring workshop connecting South Asian dance with climate consciousness.

Suba delivered a powerful one-day workshop exploring how South Asian dance can effectively address today’s most pressing issues, particularly the environmental crisis. The workshop formed part of people Dancing UK’s broader Summer Intensive programme, highlighting the growing recognition of dance as a tool for social and environmental advocacy.

The interactive practical workshop drew the participants into the creative world behind Akademi’s critically acclaimed show, Plastic Drastic Fantastic. This contemporary dance theatre production for children and families examines our complex relationship with plastics—celebrating their fantastic possibilities while confronting their drastic environmental consequences. On tour in October 2025.

Participants journeyed through the complete creative process of this Key Stage 2-targeted work, designed for children aged 7-11. Suba guided attendees through the innovative methods our team used to translate plastic’s fascinating physical properties into engaging movement-based play and experimental music. The workshop also showcased the creative accessibility solutions developed to make the show inclusive for d/Deaf audiences.

The session provided a collaborative environment where participants gained valuable insights into Akademi’s approach to using South Asian dance as a vehicle for raising awareness about climate change and other topical issues. Attendees left with practical resources and inspiration to integrate environmental themes into their own dance practice, alongside a deeper appreciation for the expressive power of South Asian dance.

📸Courtesy: People Dancing