Dance and Movement Workshops with Autin Dance Theatre
Want to perform at Basingstoke Festival?
Join over 100 performers in Autin Dance Theatre’s exciting new production, Up in the Sky!
No dance experience? No problem! Head along to the open creative workshop with Autin Dance Theatre to learn the choreography and be part of something spectacular.
Wednesday 18 June 2025
7pm to 8.30pm
Proteus Creation Space, Basingstoke, Council Road, Basingstoke RG21 3DH
Everyone is welcome of any age, whether you are 8 or 80. This is your chance to shine!
As part of the Basingstoke Festival Parade, participants will dance through the streets before coming together for a powerful group performance under Autin Dance Theatre’s Giant Aerial Rig, just before the company’s main show ‘Up in the Sky’.
Workshop Highlights:
- Accessible and inclusive mass movement techniques
- Body percussion and clapping rhythms
- Object manipulation with silk scarves
- Upper-body gestures symbolising unity and support
- Themes of migration, resilience, hope, and community
This is an unmissable opportunity for people to participated in a community event, move together, celebrate diversity, and bring energy to the festival!
The performance will take place as part of the opening evening of the Basingstoke Festival on Friday 20 June at the Amphitheatre at Festival Place in Basingstoke. Autin Dance festival are once again premiering their work in Basingstoke, previously bringing Parade the Giant wheel and Eko in Out of the Deep Blue (pictured below)
About Autin Dance Theatre
Autin Dance Theatre is an independent arts organisation established in Birmingham in 2013. Under the helm of Director/Choreographer Johnny Autin, the Company produces innovative and aspirational artistic performances and provides extensive learning and participation programmes in the community. They work with exceptional local and national dance artists to deliver work across the UK and beyond.
All workshop leaders hold clear enhanced DBS checked and public liability insurances. Their practitioners are fully trained and experienced in delivering workshops suitable for people of all ages and abilities.
Johnny Autin (Artistic Director)
Johnny is an established International Dance Artist and award-winning Choreographer based in Birmingham (UK). Originally from France, he has collaborated with creatives and companies throughout Europe, as well as touring work worldwide. As a dance maker, he is regularly commissioned by organisations and universities to create new work with professionals and vocational students, and he has over 20 years of experience as a workshop leader and educator. He is the founder and Creative Director of Autin Dance Theatre (est. 2013).
More recently, he developed and created the touring sensation ‘Out of the Deep Blue’ featuring 13-foot Sea Giant Puppet Eko and also ‘Parade – The Giant Wheel’. Johnny is a dedicated trustee on the board of Dancefest (Worcester), and Associate Artist at Midlands Arts Centre. He believes in dance as an agent for positive social change. His choreographic process is often influenced by socio-political statements and engaged towards positive, empowering and inspiring artistic experiences to audiences.
Natasha Boyes (Education Coordinator)
Natasha is a UK-based circus and dance artist with a strong foundation in Rhythmic Gymnastics. Competing at an elite level for 10 years, she also performed nationally and internationally.
She trained in Contemporary Circus and Physical Theatre at Circomedia, specialising in aerial straps, solo and duo acrobatics, and dance. Since graduating, Natasha has primarily worked in outdoor arts, collaborating with companies such as Citrus Arts (2023), Full Tilt Aerial (2022), Bassline Circus (2022), and Above and Beyond (2022). Currently, Natasha is the Education Coordinator at Autin Dance Theatre, where she leads and develops educational outreach projects. Passionate about inclusivity, she strives to create environments where all participants feel valued and supported—whether in teaching, performance, or creative projects. Alongside her artistic work, she is also a freelance social media manager and press officer for extreme sports teams.
More information about the company can be found on the website www.autindt.co.uk or on social media pages @AutinDT.
