Tom White

Surface Area Dance Theatre is a UK-based CIO working across live and digital performances, interdisciplinary collaborations, and international cultural exchange. They work to champion diversity and innovation in all they do; collaborating with artists, participants, and academics to develop an original, accessible dance language. Their work is centred upon inclusion and equality, in recent years facilitating world-class artists Antoine Hunter (USA) and Chisato Minamimura (Japan) to visit the North East region and share their unique practices with the d/Deaf & hearing community. Over the last fifteen years the company has accomplished an extensive portfolio of engagements, delivered in partnership with patrons, charitable and cultural organisations, and institutes such as Barbican’s Open Lab in London, Michael Cacoyannis Foundation in Athens and the Ise Folk Dance Society in Japan. SADT wants everyone coming into contact with the company to feel respected and treated with dignity. They seek to nurture a sense of belonging and encourage an environment where people feel comfortable being themselves at work. The Department of Work and Pensions recognises them as a Disability Leader and champions for Disability Confidence within local and business communities.