Earlier this autumn, artist Jo Lindsay headed to Catalonia for the SPASA Summer Academy, supported by Surge and Articulation. In this blog post, Jo reflects on a whirlwind two weeks: exploring chaos and control in performance, staging site-specific community interventions, mastering outdoor dance techniques, and even joining the community cast of Kamchàtka’s immersive performance at Fira Tàrrega.
In September, through a bursary from Surge and Articulation, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the 2026 SPASA Summer Academy in Catalonia! This two-week programme brought together international artists to undertake intensive training workshops with four diverse street arts companies.
Arriving at our base in the beautiful city of Cervera, almost immediately we were catapulted into the madness of the Aquelarre (‘witches sabbath’) festival taking place in the streets! Aquelarre was a uniquely invigorating experience; Cervera’s tiny, cobbled streets were crammed with people all dancing, cheering and following the parades of drummers, singers, giant puppets, flamboyantly dressed characters and frightfully close fireworks all night long!
After a day of recovery, week one of workshops began with two days led by the wonderfully down-to-earth Tom Greder. Through discussions and creative exercises, we gained insight into Tom’s attitude and approach to performance and making work for public space. We played with following impulses, finding the sweet spot between control and chaos and learned to listen to the different voices that arise within us when creating. We brainstormed ideas for site-specific performance in Cervera’s streets and, importantly, tuned in to the details which portrayed humanity, allowing the theoretical audience to identify with us.
Next up, the incredible ‘Sputnik’, who spent three days sharing their anthropological-based approach to making site-specific work within communities. We experimented with encounters, means of connecting, listening, tuning into different senses and perspectives, and discussed the ethics of using people’s voices and stories. Highlights included spending a lovely evening in a local family’s home for dinner and an informal interview, which then became source material, plus staging a performative public intervention in Cervera with stacks of cardboard boxes!
Week two started strong with high physicality from Company Chameleon teaching us technique for dancing outdoors on hard surfaces. Straight into floorwork we learned how to make the ground our friend and move safely while maintaining impactful performance. We had a lovely balance of technique, partner work, improvisation and learning rep from Chameleon’s shows which I really enjoyed. Everyone had sore bodies afterwards, but it was worth it!
Our final workshop was with the amazing, magical Claire Ducreux – internationally renowned street theatre artist and poetic clown. Claire began with a gorgeous solo performance, before gently delving into her movement methods using slowness, softness, weight, intention, awareness and deep feeling. The insight into her practice was truly eye-opening and magical.
To end these fantastic two weeks on a high, we spent the final weekend at FiraTàrrega street theatre festival, watching a variety of incredible outdoor performances from clowns, dancers, acrobats, circus acts and more! A few of us were also lucky enough to join the community cast of Kamchàtka’s large-scale immersive performance, ‘Incontinuo’, which was an amazing experience!
Massive thanks to Surge and Articulation for providing this fantastic opportunity, and thank you to the amazing SPASA team, workshop leaders and wonderful group of fellow artists who made the time so enjoyable!
About Jo Lindsay
Jo Lindsay (they/she) is an emerging Dance Artist currently based in Dundee and working across Scotland. They are interested in interdisciplinary projects, dance film, physical theatre, site-specific and outdoor work, and community and participatory dance. Due to their background in zoology and wildlife conservation, Jo’s personal practice is influenced by nature and the environment.
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