Entering a new NOW: Jenny's Reflections

When Surface Area Dance Theatre’s General Manager, Sara, first emailed me about the prospect of being a part of a new project with Surface Area and Lizzie Klotz, I knew I couldn’t let this opportunity pass me by! The chance to be involved in this work at such an early stage was something I knew I wanted to be part of and couldn’t wait to start!

Coming into the week of R&D, I had no idea what to expect. We were given the title/choreographic idea of NOW and almost nothing else. We all entered the space with the same questions, the same openness, and absolutely no expectations about what we were about to create. This became the perfect foundation for us, a collective of creators. Before the process began, Surface Area gave me the opportunity to attend BSL and Deaf awareness training—something I found deeply valuable and something I’m eager to continue exploring so that my practice can become more inclusive.

I already knew some of the artists I would be working with, which made walking into the room feel warm and familiar, but getting the chance to work with each other creatively was new to us. Meeting Nadeem and Chris for the first time was brilliant; over the week, we formed real connections and new friendships. Our interpreters, Iona and Faye, were also essential members of our creative team, and it was great to get to know them as well!

Every morning began with class led by Eliot Smith, which felt like a privilege to move for myself each day, as it’s something I rarely get to do. They were tailored to us as a group to make sure our bodies were ready for the day ahead. Afterwards, Lizzie led us through a check-in of heart, head, and body, along with the question of which animal we felt like that morning. This allowed all of us to arrive honestly, to understand our own needs, and to acknowledge how others were feeling each day. We would then delve into the creative process or play a game to connect us further. This is where Nadeem introduced us to the game King of the Jungle, which was my favourite, as it brought so much laughter to the room (even though I always lost). I’ve since taught it to groups of hearing young people I work with, and it’s been such a fun way to pass on some of the BSL I learned during the process.

Moving on to the creative process (the best part!)…
The creative process revolved around the theme of NOW, what it meant to us individually, how it shifted and how we each experienced it. At first, my now felt small, internal  and something personal. But as the week unfolded, my understanding and capacity for what NOW meant grew and expanded. My NOW was heavier, bigger than I ever could imagine, and at times it even felt too vast to bear. Each new NOW emerged from the last, always moving forward, always shaped by reflection, by change, by possibility. We navigated difficult topics with care, humour, and trust, eventually finding a shared movement language that allowed each of us to communicate what we wanted to say. I learned so much this week from everyone in the room, things I’ll carry into my own practice. Nadeem and Chris introduced us to the art form Visual Vernacular (VV), a form that blends BSL, cinematic movement, and dance. Watching them perform VV was captivating, and I am very interested to explore this further! I have also started to create without lights on, something I never thought about previously, but it helps me explore without perfectionism and the thought of being seen.

Like my NOW, I feel bigger, fuller, stronger than before I did before this process. The week was loud, joyous, warm and playful. It held laughter, care, and support along with leaf blowers, bagels, and a strong sense of purpose. We felt we were in the eye of the storm with everyone’s NOWS circling around us, trying to figure them out. I’m excited and curious about the potential of this work, and genuinely grateful to be part of its journey. I already can’t wait to get back into the space with these courageous, creative artists and step into a brand new NOW together in the next stages of this work’s development!