SAY
SAY is an energetic dance company blending underground music with contemporary dance, breaking down barriers to artistic engagement. SAY are associate artists at The Place: Leading centre for dance performance, touring and creation. Creating energetic dance shows bringing together personal stories, fast-paced and slick dance routines to original music tracks from a dynamic range of talented artists.
In 2025 we developed a participatory programme with SAY using inspiration from their Hot in Here show, we co designed a workshop to develop young people’s confidence moving in front of the camera. SAY delivered a tailored and high octane workshop where they developed choreography with a range of local young people including music artists, physical theatre practitioners, dancers, drag artists and athletes. The choreography was set to local emerging artists Tsantana and Tia Callum and was filmed by a specialist movement videographer and we produced the film Did what I did . These initiatives foster new ways of working, offering young people the opportunity to showcase their talents and creativity alongside international artists, transforming Gloucester’s cultural landscape.
A collaboration between SAY ( International dance company) Gloucester Guildhall, The Place, our Chispa youth team, and a group of emerging artists, this project set out to explore what it truly means to create spaces where LGBTQ+ and global majority young people feel seen, heard, and valued. We brought together diverse perspectives to reimagine how creative environments can nurture confidence, connection, and self-expression.
Together, we co-designed a workshop day for emerging artists that centred on building confidence on camera within a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental space. Through movement, play, and creative experimentation, participants were encouraged to step outside their comfort zones, try new ways of expressing themselves, and take ownership of how they show up and are seen. The day prioritised process over perfection, making space for exploration, vulnerability, and joy.
Here’s a glimpse of what emerged from that shared experience
For me, the highlight of working with Say was building relationships with people, then exploring that connection and together creating an art piece.
Dominic - Participant
Getting to work with SAY Dance was incredible. so incredible to see that people from London believe so much in doing grassroots work and coming into Gloucester as a place to help elevate.
Tia - Youth Leader
That was a really big thing because I don't know how I carry myself , maybe I come across confident but I'm like, shocker, I'm actually full of anxiety. But so that was really good as well, like just to have that extra, you know, like it's okay, you know, be you, you got this, it's like being free, you know. Main takeaways, definitely owning it, just owning myself, being confident and forward in being creative, my choices and also connections.
Gabrielle - Participant
The process was smooth and collaboratively, I feel like we all aligned on a collective purpose, which was to provide opportunities in a safe and open way where people feel like they can do themselves.