Kat’s top 10 moments at BLINK

After 7 incredible years I am moving on from BLINK. I am so proud of everything we’ve achieved together.  

 BLINK love a top 10. This could have been a top 100 but that would be a long read so I’ve stuck to 10. 

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10. EARLY YEARS PROJECTS

Me and Delson share a passion for working with little ones and their parents and carers. This was a project at Mandeville School early Yeats programme working with children with SEND, ASD, PMLD and complex and higher needs and their families. Delson is gentle, patient and tunes in more than anyone I’ve ever worked with. Only problem is he’s always their favourite!  

[description] Co-Director Kat sits opposite a small boy who looks directly back at her. She is smiling at him and he is mesmerised by her. They are doing the same dance move towards each other with their arms forward bent at the elbows.

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9. WHAT’S NORMAL ANYWAY

A forum theatre in education piece for primary children about the lived experience of people with Learning Disabilities. Afterwards a child from the audience said ‘Before this I would have sat away from someone disabled on the bus, now I’d sit with them and talk to them.’ (this was pre-covid) Francis rapping ‘Everyone’s Different, Everyone’s Equal’ with 100 primary students shouting it back was goosebumps powerful (again pre-covid)

[description] Performers from WINK Drama Group, BLINK’s former West London inclusive performance programme are dressed in school uniform; black trousers and white polo shirts. There are 5 performers on stage. The main character looks at his watch and is surrounded by the other four who are dancing with their arms out to the side looking directly at the audience.

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8: INTENSIVE INTERACTION TRAINING

Me and Vicki had wanted to do intensive interaction training for ages and an Amici Dance Theatre friend had made it possible (thank you Lynne.) It was a penny drop moment for us. We finally understood WHY the approach we had developed for working with people with complex communication needs were so effective. We’d got from Amici that creativity, connection and communication go together and we’ve never let that go. 

[description] A black and white picture of Kat who sits directly in front of a young participant. They both have their hands in the air and are smiling.

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7. IT’S MY MOVE

Touring this brilliant co-production with Face Front inclusive Theatre I encountered so many young people empowered by the show to make their own choices. Also teachers and parents deepening their understanding of how to support the post-16 transition process. Also it’s not everyday you get to play a parrot and a vending machine in the same show! 

Photo: Andrew Bradford

[description] Kat stands over Vicki dressed as a parrot in black with a colourful parrot headpiece on. She stares ‘in role’ into the distance. Vicki, dressed in school uniform as ‘Lisa’ is looking up at the parrot and laughing.

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6. PULL UP

Project PULL UP was BLINK at it’s best pushing the boundaries to the max.  Delson was in his element as artistic lead making music (listen here if you haven’t already, it’s amazing) , drawing the visuals and bossing directing the live show. Astronauts, magic, weed, a beast and falling in love all taking place on a red carpet! Creative genius. 

Photography: Rachel Cherry

[description] Kat kneels on the floor, she is dressed as a mouse with red trousers and a black and white chequered top. She holds her hands up by her face and a worried facial expression. Rachel stands behind her with black trousers and a white t shirt with 2 bold black stripes. She holds a frying pan and looks down menacingly at the mouse.

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5. TEACHING AT UNIVERSITIES

I loved sharing BLINK’s approach and ethos with students across the country.  It was particularly special for me to teach on MA Applied Theatre at Goldsmiths which I studied myself. There was sometimes an awkward moment at the start of sessions where students who were less enthusiastic about dance looked a bit unsure. After 5 mins of Francis bringing the all vibes, all the dance moves and usually taking the micky out of me a fair bit the ice was always well and truly broken! 

[description] A mix of adult student sit back to back on the floor with their arms spread up to the sky and huge smiles on their faces.

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4. FOUR CORNERS IN ROMANIA

BLINK’s first international tour this was a big moment. Me and Rachel shared a room with a huge the glow in the dark lion painted on the wall. Mat and his guitar got upgraded to first class on the plane. The venue we performed in in Bucharest build a ramp to make the building accessible for our performance. For some of the young people in the audience it was their first ever experience of live theatre or a drama workshop. I think we set the bar high.  

[description] Kat, Rachel, Delson and Francis sit smoungst a group of young students who are all smiling at the camera. The teachers stand behind.

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3. YOUNG AGITATORS AT THE ROYAL COURT

Me and Maisa shared BLINK’s practice with the people on the Young Agitators programme at the Royal Court. After meeting them I was sure they would go on to shake up the industry. This was Masia’s first time co-leading training and she smashed it. Some fabulous feather dancing took place in that room.

[description] Kat wears a red jacket and Maisa wears a blue headband and coat with fur collar. Their heads are together and they smile at the camera.

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2. WORKING WITH MANDY

As well as performance-making and teaching I have also looked after BLINKs finances over the years. Mandy joined the team as a Finance Assistant to share the load with me. She was a tremendous support with the administrative part of my role during my maternity leave and when I came back to work. We have spent hours pouring over spreadsheets, somehow despite the excel fatigue we were always laughing. 

[description] L-R Co-Director’s Rachel, and Vicki smile at the camera, Mandy is in the middle. it’s a sunny day.

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1. GIRL MEETS BOY: UNRAVELLED

Performing in the Reading Room at Wellcome Collection, descending the red staircase to the beats from beatboxer Native the Creative, watching the audience spill their hearts to Dr Love and dancing with Rachel as the whirlwind Gold-Goddess (fantastic casting there!) And then performing TANGLED, a colourful interactive piece in an exhibition all about play. This was Sabir’s first ever professional performance and with a relaxed smile he interacted with audience members who were totally captivated and joined him in the dance.  BLINK gold all round. 

Photography: Charles Oni

[description] L-R Rachel, Vicki, Delson, Kat and Francis (as Francesca) are standing in a line with big smiles. They wear pale blue and pink and shiny gold costumes and statement makeup.

So that is the end of my top 10.

If you want the top 100 you’ll need an afternoon and plenty of cake!  

THANK YOU to everyone who has made my journey with BLINK possible.  To Amici for the inspiration, friendship and Spin the Pen. To Face Front for the opportunities, guidance and Pop Song Ping Pong. To Jacky Lansley, China Plate, BAC and Redbridge Drama Centre, Tourette’s Hero for believing.  To my friends and family for all the support from coming to shows to proofreading applications and a million other things. To everyone that has come to a BLINK training, workshop or show and shared your creativity with me.  To the staff, volunteers, placement students, consultants and associate artists for your skills and commitment. To Elli and Mandy who have kept smiling throughout hours of Zoom handover.  

And finally to Rachel, Francis, Vicki and Delson- my BLINK family.  Creating, working and growing with you has had made me who I am today. Thank you.  As our time as colleagues comes to an end I am so lucky to call you my friends. Here’s to the next chapter. I’ll be cheering from the front row every time.