How does Balbir Singh produce so much work, and in so many places, from Durham to London, Canada to India? How does this change so many lives for the better? How does the process pass on and share knowledge?
The answer lies in Balbir’s method of working, and a special kind of open creativity common to everyone – from the dancers, artists and company staff to the many people in diverse communities around the country who join with BSDC in exploring their own creative potential.
The process exposes people, often in pairs and sometimes in groups, to starting points of inspiration and investigation through leaning and falling into each other and then lets their own curiosity take them on a journey.
At the forefront of this practice is Balbir’s belief that we can act in the moment, can create in the moment. He uses this belief to develop everything from exciting workshop practice, stories, movement walks, creative trails, through to site-specific and professional touring performances – all with the heightened, charged awareness that comes from living in the present.
The improvisatory nature of Balbir’s working method does not mean there is no forethought, preparation or structure. But it does mean things can change at any moment and artists and participants must be prepared to leave all their preconceptions at the door and give their fullest attention to listening to each other to create in the moment.
It means that all must enter into a spirit of risk, though of course it’s also important that workshop participants feel secure and comfortable enough to take risks.
This is a practice that values the quirks, flaws, body-specificity and genius of the individual but also believes in the added excitement of collaboration to create something with a group that is greater than any individual’s contribution.
This is work that requires both artists and participants who are not ego-driven, who are generous with their talents, their life experiences and their time, who are committed to their own journey of health and wellbeing as well as that of the company, who are kind, imaginative, often accomplished, and always ‘up for it’ – willing and eager to try things outside of their comfort zone.
For artists and participants, at its best, this experience is creative, energising, collaborative, experimental, innovative . . . and life affirming.
