In June 2015, dancer and choreographer based in Scotland Marc Brew and Brazilian dancer Gisele Calazans participated in a creative residency at MIS - Museum of Image and Sound, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Encounter was a spontaneous combustion of bodies, movement and risk, affection and trust.
The creative process was conceived by Natalia Mallo (also a live musician), and had the participation of lighting designer Mirella Brandi, co-creator of the work. The lighting emerged as a third dancer, making real-time choices, outlining the bodies and reshaping the space. Accessibility resources were embedded in the scene, including caption, audio description and sign language.
In June 2016, Marc Brew, Glasgow-based artistic director, dancer and choreographer, is travelling to Brazil to present the world premiere of the original collaborative dance piece MayBe, co-created in partnership with Gisele Calazans, and producer Natalia Mallo. The project, developed with support of the Creative Scotland/British Council partnership, explores the concept of Encounter as a catalyst of possibilities - including love and intimacy; and is set to be presented for the first time to a live audience on June 21st and 22nd at at Teatro Anchieta - Sesc Consolação, in São Paulo.
Specifically for this work, Marc Brew and his Brazilian counterparts have also been developing Access Strategies including audio description, audio programming, captioning, signing, and access tours; which will be accompanying the performances. Leading up to the premiere, Marc will also be delivering a workshop on Accessibility as a creative tool for artists, producers and venues. The workshop will demonstrate how every access tool in the project was conceived through the artistic process. Following Brazil, Marc will travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to deliver an Access Strategy workshop at UNSAM (National University of General San Martín), meet with local venues and producers, and also look to find a visual artist to join his team as an artistic collaborator.