![]() To remember that wherever and whoever we are, we wake up, begin, move. But keeping up the momentum is hard, and those are small moments on a really long journey. Strictly Come Dancings Chris Fonseca and Kenta Kambara, an accomplished. When there are successes that’s great, we clap and we cheer about it, and then it’s done. ![]() Representation needs to happen behind the scenes too.” There needs to be research before casting someone: do you have a BSL consultant on board? Who are the consultants, are they representing things in the correct way? You don’t want it just to be a box ticked. But it’s important for it not to be tokenistic. Is that the only way? I am really happy that Deaf representation on a mainstream platform is becoming a little bit more acceptable. ![]() “Yes,” he says, “but it’s interesting that change seems only to occur when people are in the mainstream or have a certain level of exposure. These feel like big milestones, I suggest. The film CODA won three Oscars including Best Picture. A few months ago parliament passed a bill recognising BSL as a language of England, Scotland and Wales. Rose Ayling-Ellis won Strictly Come Dancing last year. Since then, a lot has happened for Deaf representation in the UK. I wanted to incorporate sign language into dance. “When hearing people are learning BSL they might think, ‘Okay, it’s communication and that’s it.’ But you can turn it into art. What flavour is it? “It’s spicy!” he laughs. Then I add my special sauce and flavour to it and see what happens.” Then it’s choreography - understanding the concept of the song and showing that through movement, including elements like BSL and signed rap. Then it’s reading the lyrics and understanding them. “Before I start thinking about the movement, I have to understand the music and the layers within that music: the tempo, the bass, the tone. Aided by his cochlear implant he can feel music, and he studies the lyrics to make sure his choreography stays true to the song. The lack of role models meant Fonseca had to create his own way of working. So now, my career and my passion are dance but also supporting the Deaf community and getting more people into the dance world.” But Deaf dancers? That’s an incredibly small pool. There are some Deaf actors, some Deaf people in sports. He sat down in front of 1984 breakdancing film Breakin’, and that was it. New West End Company BRANDPOST | PAID CONTENT.
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