Shifting Footprints

Performance, 2002

Shifting Footprints was a performance that developed principally out of an Akademi project, Migrations, looking at issues to do with refuge and refugees. It was a culmination of 4 weeks of intensive workshops with some of Akademi’s top artists working in Newham with Little Ilford School, Gainsborough Primary School, Lister Community School and Eastlea Community School.

Artists spent a week in each school developing, creating and producing multi-media dance pieces together with the participants. The different art forms incorporated were used as a medium to explore such issues as refuge and refugees, journeys and identity. The young people were responsible for the creation of all the material, both in the displays and on the stage. Shifting Footprints brought together 2 major projects, organised and managed by Akademi in partnership with Newham Education Refugee Team and Newham EAZ.

A total of 87 young people aged between 7 and 16 were involved in the performance, which was attended by over 1000 audience members. The project was very successful – many audience members commented on how impressive they found the performance, and participants and teachers commented on how much the project had both challenged and inspired them.