Making 'Free' Part 2

This is the second instalment of a series, inviting an intimate insight into the creative process of Akeim Toussaint Buck. Continuing on the steps to creating To Move's first major work that will premiere in 2025. In Making Free part 1 we witnessed some of the writing and performing of the music for 'Free', the development and preview of 'Negus Genesis', and a triple bill film screening, 'Free To Move.'
In part 2, we catch up with Dance United Yorkshire to reflect on the process of working with Toussaint To Move using the theme of Freedom as a starting point to create: "Irate Liberators". We dive deeper into the dance of 'Free', exploring the connections between Reggae and Contemporary dance movements, meet the cast of 'Free' and engage with more audiences' feedback after sharing a 'work in progress' of the show.
CREDITS
Artistic Director: Akeim Toussaint Buck
Creative Producer: Joao Maio
Dance Artists: Aline Simo Kamga, Jeremiah Olusola, Jemima Tawose, Maisha Kungu, Manukaa Tony Kaaba.
Music: Songs from the ‘Free’ album created by Akeim Toussaint Buck in collaboration with music artists Azizi Cole (Drumds) , Joseph Frost-Tesfaye (Keys), Joel Stedman (Percussion + Basa Clarinet) Owen Mitchel Burns (Bass) and Otis Jones (Guitar), Jeffery Gordan (Saxophone) recorded and produced by Shaun Williams (Sundown Recording).
Film: John Slemensek-Thorne (Studio Bokehgo)
‘Free’ is commissioned by Sadler’s Wells and funded via Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants
Thank you to Beverley Glean, Dance Studio Leeds, Independent Dance, Shelley Maxwell and Stage@Leeds and Dance United Yorkshire’s Gradient Company (Allissa Paul, Armelle Hussain, Cain Connelly, Eirini Popadopoulou, Isobel Frost, Kian Crabtree, Lily-Rose Foster, Maddy Kirk, Maya Bhikha, Mohammed Saeed, Nandana Sathiapal and Poppy Richardson).
Special thanks:
Audrey Mae, João Mao, Azizi Cole, Xhosa Cole, Muti Musifir, Christopher Radford, Otis Jones, Ashley Karrell, John Slemensek, Jeremiah Olusola, Tony-John Belfon-Kaaba, Aline Simo Kamga, Jemima Tawose, Maisha Kungu, Liam Wallace, Joel Stedman, Joseph Frost-Tesfaye, Jeffery Gordan, Owen Burns, Shaun Williams, Stage at Leeds, Yorkshire Dance, ARC Stockton, Sadlers Wells and Arts Council England.