What is iCreate?
iCreate is DanceSyndrome’s pioneering choreography project. The aim is to open new creative pathways for dancers with learning disabilities, changing who gets to choreograph and helping to redefine the future of dance. The project shifts participants from being directed to directing, and from taking part to producing work. Participants show clear increases in confidence, leadership and creative agency, transforming the lives of performers and audiences alike.
The project is led by Dance Development Lead, David Darcy. It began with a simple question to DanceSyndrome’s performers. David asked, “What do you want to create?” This starting point, three years ago, has grown into a creative movement where disabled and non-disabled choreographers can explore ideas, build new skills and take full ownership of their Artistic work.
Choreography led by lived experience
iCreate launched in 2023 with seven aspiring choreographers who all have learning disabilities. Each participant created a personal piece that reflected their own interests, ideas and artistic voice. They were supported by industry professionals to make decisions about movement, lighting, music and sound. Some dancers arrived with finished choreography while others developed their work collaboratively in the studio.
“My role was about Mentoring and keeping hold of the space,” David Darcy explains. “This was their opportunity to tell me what they wanted to do, and for me to help them make it happen.”
The experience was challenging and deeply rewarding. Peter, who has been part of DanceSyndrome since 2010, created choreography for other performers for the first time. Peter shared “If I can choreograph something on my own it gives me a challenge. It makes me a better person and a better artist.”
Growing the platform and widening opportunity
In June 2025, iCreate 2.0 presented 11 new works at a special showcase event. The programme included choreography by five artists with learning disabilities alongside six emerging freelance choreographers. Each professional choreographer was paired with a year one choreographer who shadowed the process and gained new creative insights, building on what they learned in the first year.
Artistic Director, Sophie Tickle explained the importance of this commissioning model. “In 2024 we invited applications for iCreate 2.0 commissions from mid-career choreographers. Many applicants told us that there was a lack of opportunities for choreographers and that as Artists they need to prioritise other regular work, because paid choreographic work wasn’t an option. Providing professional opportunities at all stages of Artists’ careers is vital. It’s one of many ways that DanceSyndrome can support the wider Arts sector to become more inclusive and help to create lasting change.”
John Burrow was a Choreographer in year one and a Shadow Choreographer in year 2. He reflected on the experience. “I’ve been able to shadow another Artist’s work and through that I was able to learn about transitions and about how activities and tasks can be used to get my movements that I want. I’ve been challenged and pushed by each of the choreographers that I’ve worked with. I’m proud of the work that I achieved this year. It’s an experience that you could only get with the iCreate project, it’s full of individuality.”
The performance showcase was described by audiences as joyful, bold, expressive and full of originality. It demonstrated what happens when artists are given the freedom to create without limits and when disabled voices lead the artistic vision.
Past audience feedback:
A pioneering pathway for the future
Now in its third year, iCreate is a central part of DanceSyndrome’s professional development programme. It supports dancers with learning disabilities to build confidence and independence and helps them to prepare for sustainable Artistic careers.
David Darcy hopes this next stage will set a new industry standard for inclusive choreography. “There is a real buzz about iCreate and our aspirations for providing choreography opportunities that cannot be found elsewhere. We want to create a platform that does justice to the work our emerging choreographers have developed. Our ambition is to support a sector where all Artists are seen, valued and celebrated.”
The project is becoming an international example of what inclusive dance can be and how the sector can adapt to ensure that Artists with disabilities can thrive. DanceSyndrome has worked in partnership with Land Fes in Tokyo to develop choreography both in Japan and in the UK, to present in a live performance event.
DanceSyndrome’s Managing Director, Julie Nicholson said “This exceptional work deserves to be shared on a major professional stage and DanceSyndrome is committed to doing that. Delivering a fully accessible, high-quality showcase requires many costly adaptations and will cost over £20,000 so we are working hard behind the scenes to make this a reality. We really need the support of the public, local businesses and the wider dance sector to make this happen.”
DanceSyndrome would like to present “Origin” a high-profile, professional showcase event as a fully accessible performance at The Lowry, Salford on Thursday 19 November 2026.
If you can support this event, for one week only, donations will be doubled via The Big Give ‘Arts for Impact’ campaign, so a £25 donation becomes £50 towards iCreate. You can donate between 12pm on Tuesday 17th March and 12pm and Tuesday 24th March via The Big Give website to have your donation doubled.
DanceSyndrome is grateful that iCreate 1 and iCreate 2 were part-funded by Arts Council England and the Granada Foundation.
