Staff Profile
Nicola Forshaw
Senior Lecturer, Course Lead for Acting, Drama and Theatre
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I trained at Northern Ballet School and danced with contemporary dance theatre companies in Greece and the UK before completing an MA in Applied Theatre at York St John. Before transitioning to teaching in Higher Education, I taught in Dance Conservatoires with a focus on training young dancers for the professional dance industry. Since my MA my interests have shifted to the field of dance and health and I have facilitated a number of practice research projects exploring how dance can improve well-being in disadvantaged communities. Some recent projects that drama students have supported on as part of work related learning modules include: sensory movement sessions for children with special educational needs, movement play for children and fathers in prison settings, circle dancing for elderly people and choreographic collaborations with Accessible Arts and Media.
- School – School of the Arts
- Email – n.forshaw@yorksj.ac.uk
- Phone – 01904 876 260
- Research - View my work in RaY
Further information
Teaching
I teach across the acting, drama and musical theatre courses specialising in movement for actors, physical theatre, ensemble devising methods and choreography. I am a trained Somatic Movement Educator and encourage students to explore the possibilities of the body through experiential anatomy, somatic practice and embodied ways of knowing in order to access their full potential as articulate, expressive and physically nuanced performers.
I teach on undergraduate modules across Acting, Drama, and Musical Theatre courses. My specialisms are in movement training for actors, choreography, ensemble devising methods and physical theatre. I also lead on the professional portfolio module supporting level 6 students in the creation of a portfolio that showcases their professional practice, industry experience and strengths as York St John graduates. This module prepares students to transition into the industry or workplace of their choice.
Research
I am currently completing a PhD titled 'Women Re-Performing Ageing' which incorporates practice led research with multi-generational groups of women in order to explore how dancing can support new understandings of ageing and challenge cultural perceptions of ageing in the UK.
Previous research includes 'Dancing for Well-Being: how do weekly dance sessions contribute to the well-being of elderly people?' (2023), 'Shall We Dance?: the impact of creative dance sessions on people who use mental health services' (2018), 'A Return to Ordinariness: How does working alongside people who use mental health services effect students' attitudes to mental illness?' (2013).
Professional activities
Facilitator and lead researcher for Dancing for Well-being, a Community Interest Company that offer weekly circle dance sessions for elderly people in the Harrogate district. www.dancingforwellbeing.org/about-us
Performer/collaborator/cellist/dancer with Dr Morag Galloway. Recent performances at University of Chester 'Talking Bodies' Conference (2022) and University of Malta 'SPA Conference' (2023). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmEu1EpXzUc
