TRANScenDANCE in Marseille: When Dance Becomes a Vector for Inclusion and Accessibility

TRANScenDANCE: Dancing Towards More Inclusive Cultural Spaces

Last week was a time for exchange and research on a crucial question:
HOW CAN WE MAKE CULTURAL SPACES IN EUROPE MORE ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE FOR TRANS PEOPLE?

Dance is undoubtedly a space of unity and shared experience, where individuals come together as BEINGS before being defined by GENDER… So, it seemed like a great starting point for our exploration.

We had the privilege of welcoming both trans and cisgender artists to create a mixed space where voices could be shared and truly heard. Trans people, as the primary individuals affected by discrimination, contributed their lived experiences, while cis participants developed and strengthened their skills in creating safe, listening, sharing, and accessible environments.

This enriching journey took place in Marseille, where the TRANScenDANCE International Training brought together a diverse team of professionals from Serbia, France, Italy, Spain, and Romania.

After five incredible days of exchange and collaboration, we extend our heartfelt thanks to @klapkelemenis and @marseillemairie1_7 for hosting us.

A special thank you to Lee Ferrero from @associationtransat for their intervention on trans identity issues and to all the participants who made this experience so powerful:

🌍 The TRANScenDANCE Team

CIE ESSEVESSE

  • Fabio Dolce (he/him) – Trainer, Researcher, Choreographer & Dance Artist, Dance/Art Therapist
  • Antonino Ceresia (he/him) – Trainer, Researcher, Choreographer & Dance Artist, Dance/Art Therapist
  • Clara Deschodt (she/her) – Trainer in Theater of the Oppressed

Stakeholders Invited:

  • Loélia Essadi (they/caos) – Dancer, Writer, Dance Therapist
  • Lou Laude de Francqueville / Lou Pioupiou (∅/she/they) – Performance Art and Literature Facilitator, Artist

BAZAART

  • Nataša Milojević (she/her) – Contemporary Dance and Performance Artist, Dance & Theater Pedagogue, Artistic Coordinator
  • Sunčica Milosavljević (she/her/them) – Theatre Artist & Pedagogue, Program Director

Stakeholders Invited:

  • Eva Voštinić (she/her) – Actress, Somatic Therapy Trainee, Trainer
  • Alexander Zain (he/him) – Contemporary Dance & Performance Artist & Trainer

NEXUS

  • Simona Bertozzi (she/her) – Choreographer, Dancer & Trainer
  • Ariadne Mikou (she/her/hers) – Performing Arts Researcher/Writer & Educator

Stakeholder Invited:

  • Luce Sant’Ambrogio (she/her) – Actress, Writer, Trainer, PhD in Gender Studies & Performance Studies

GAMMA GENESIS

  • Raluca Ferchiu (she/her) – Psychotherapist, Trainer, Projects Coordinator
  • Lavinia Stogrea (she/her) – Psychotherapist

Stakeholder Invited:

  • Cătălina Hahui (she/her) – Internship Psychotherapist

LaJoven

  • Pedro Sánchez (he/him) – Project Manager, Training Support
  • Laura Camila Forero (she/her) – Communication, Training Support
  • David Blanco (he/him) – Choreographer, Dancer

Stakeholders Invited:

  • Petra Ramón (she/her, they/them) – Trainer, Actress
  • Lou Bigué-Suner (she/her) – Set Designer

Let’s keep moving forward together! 🌈

Project co-funded by the Erasmus+ program – French National Agency