Who We Are
Founded in 2013, BLINK Dance Theatre performs, facilitates, trains and teaches multi-sensory work across London. Guided by ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’, we value, nurture and centre the input of neurodivergent and learning disabled people. Led by three neurodivergent Co-Directors, two of whom have learning disabilities, we have taken a fresh approach to what leadership has traditionally looked like. This has enabled us to invent our own path, be wildly creative, and thrive.
Artistically, our work is rooted in London and brings in Learning Disabled and Black culture. Through playful, interactive design and humour, we explore universal themes that bring people together both inside and outside the inclusive arts community.
We joined the Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation in 2023, and became a registered charity in 2024. In 2025, we opened a new studio space in Nine Elms, Wandsworth, which is BLINK’s first ever home of our own! Here we’ll be rooting ourselves in the area and developing an exciting programme of activity.
Our Approach
At BLINK’s core, we say we are ‘relentlessly inclusive’. We say this because we work side by side with people with learning disabilities, because their ideas, perspectives, and creativity make our work better. It’s not about helping or fixing - it’s about building something together that couldn’t exist without everyone’s input. We think genuine co-leadership is key to achieving this at every level of our organisation. Our models for this leadership are fresh, exciting and create brilliant work. When the usual ways of working are inaccessible, we invent new ways and processes - not out of charity, but out of respect and belief in what a truly diverse team can create.
Accessibility plays a central role in all our work, and we are unapologetic about standing up for what is needed to create our work. We strive to be at the forefront of inclusive arts, and are always exploring new ways to remove barriers to the arts for those we work with.
Find out more able our approach to co-creation and co-leadership our film, ‘Championing Neurodivergent and Learning Disabled Leaders’.
What We Do
BLINK has four main strands of work; theatre performances, workshops, training facilitators, and external training including universities, schools and theatres.
Performances
We devise original and non-linear productions that combine dance, rap, spoken word, and playful live and recorded text, based in banter, offering intimate access to our deep-rooted relationships. We are at the forefront of the relaxed performance revolution, and fierce advocates and creators of innovative access for our audiences and artists, including cheeky and creative integrated BSL in our shows.
Our Directors co-create, co-direct and perform together in sensory, dynamic, unfiltered and non-patronising shows, such as our 5-Star Edinburgh Fringe hit ELVIS DIED OF BURGERS, or GIRL MEETS BOY, our show about sex and relationships.
We also invite aspiring neurodivergent and learning disabled leaders to collaborate with us and direct shows, like our 2024 multisensory show, BEAT-FLYS.
Workshops
We produce highly accessible, multi-sensory participatory projects in diverse education and community settings.
Our workshops are multi-sensory explorations, with inventive and exciting narrative arcs. Built around the model of intensive interaction, we have pioneered our own way of inclusive storytelling and being in the moment with the people around us.
We co-create theatre, music and dance with our facilitators and participants every day of the week, at various schools, adult day centres and other settings across London.
Watch our video, ‘Feeling Our Way Through the Pandemic’, commissioned by the Wellcome Collection, to find out more about our unique participatory approach.
Training Our Facilitators
We offer employment and training opportunities that support individual artists in reaching their full potential. Training focuses on building confidence in inclusive, sensory facilitation practice and supporting individuals labelled with complex needs and Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities, while encouraging the development of individuals’ own artistic practice.
We run targeted training opportunities like our David Ogwe traineeship to address inequities in the arts and culture sector and support emerging facilitators.
Training in Universities, Schools and Theatres
We provide training at universities, schools and theatres, sharing our ethos and practice with others. We offer a mix of bespoke training, tailored to the needs of the setting, and standard offers such as training on creating Easy Read resources and ‘R U LD Friendly?’, our training for arts venues looking to create a welcoming environment for audiences with learning disabilities.