Last of the Big Shoes
Led by Philippa Donnellan
CREATIVE STEPS YOUTH DANCE GROUP FOR AGES 15-25
A NATIONAL DANCE FILM PROJECT
21 SEPTEMBER – 14 NOVEMBER
It’s the final show down.
The party is over.
Most of the shoes are gone.
What’s the next step?
In this project, participants stepped forward into a world of seriously fancy footwork and fantastical shoes to imagine and create a series of specially choreographed shoe-stories for the camera.
LAST OF THE BIG SHOES was a national dance film project for young people ages 15 – 25, which took place over Zoom during September/October 2020. Led by Philippa Donnellan, the young people dug deep into their stores and stories of footwear to devise choreography, perform, film, and in some cases to compose the music and edit – and create a series of inventive dance journeys.
” It was an absolute delight working with this talented group of young dancers on LAST OF THE BIG SHOES, and to see everyone find their feet and take such creative strides to produce their own film. Full of colour and style, they’re a unique collection of shoe stories to fit all sizes, enjoy! “
– Philippa Donnellan
” A lovely community was formed! “
– project participant
” (I enjoyed being) given the freedom to be director to my own piece of art. Being given permission to experiment and supported even when things don’t work out. “
– project participant
WHERE TO WATCH | ONLINE SCREENINGS
LAOIS DANCE PLATFORM | 18 – 20 JUNE 2021
We are delighted that a selection of short dance films created as part of LAST OF THE BIG SHOES will be featured in Laois Dance Platform’s online festival this year! Keep your eyes peeled for the full programme announcement…
NOISEMOVES YOUTH DANCE FESTIVAL 2021 | ‘BEHIND THE LENS’
Screening alongside works by Laois Youth Dance Ensemble, Irish National Youth Ballet, Limerick Youth Dance Company and Uillinn Dance Project, NOSTALGIC DUET by Sailí Áine Ní Mhurchú and SIZE SIX AND A HALF by Niamh McPhillips were featured as part of the Main Stage Performance – Youth Dance Film Night on 30 April 2021.
Huge congratulations also to Creative Steppers Anne Ilic and Éimear Regan who choreographed and performed original solos as part of EMERGENCE Young Choreographers Showcase!
ONLINE PREMIERE
To culminate, LAST OF THE BIG SHOES was screened on 14 November 2020. Participants came together via Zoom and attended an online screening of the 8 short dance films – followed by a post-show celebration.
PROJECT DATES
CREATIVE SESSIONS took place on Zoom MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER
Mondays and Thursdays 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Saturdays 11.00am – 1.00pm
Filming took place throughout the week of 12 October.
PROJECT FEE €25 per person. Additional payment options were available.
ABOUT CREATIVE STEPS
Established in 2007 as part of CoisCéim BROADREACH, Creative Steps is a dance theatre group for young people aged 15-25. Based at CoisCéim Dance Theatre’s studio in Dublin City Centre and coordinated by Broadreach Director Philippa Donnellan, it offers young people the opportunity to collaborate, devise and perform dance theatre for the stage and the screen and work with guest choreographers, teachers, and professional artists in different mediums. Click here to find out more…
DID YOU KNOW…
Shoe-throwing is a form protest in many parts of the world
In Hebrew culture, removing a shoe can symbolise the act of giving up a legal right.
In Arab culture, showing the sole of one’s shoe is considered an insult.
In Greek culture, empty shoes can symbolise death.
