Kirstie Simson & Charlie Brittain

About this event

A 6-day Contact Improvisation intensive with Kirstie Simson and Charlie Brittain in Genova Nervi, Italy (August 25–30, 2026). The workshop takes place at the Palestra di Villa Grimaldi, a wooden-floor studio inside the Nervi Parks — the large coastal park overlooking the Mediterranean, 3 minutes walk from the sea and 15 minutes by train from Genova city centre (Brignole station). The intensive is titled "Dancing Practices that Promote Well-being, Resilience and Healing in Challenging Times." The work emerges from Kirstie and Charlie's shared commitment to dance as a practice of vulnerability, interconnectedness, and healing. Drawing on their combined background in improvisation, Contact Improvisation, contemporary dance, Alexander technique, bodywork, myofascial release, movement rehabilitation, and human biomechanics, the programme moves through facilitated exercises, movement scores, open exploration, observation, self-reflection, and group discussion — balancing partnering with solo and group time for processing. An option for participants to develop site-specific scores to be shared in a creative journey around the local landscape is offered on Saturday (Aug 29), followed by an open jam. Friday evening features a performance and lecture by Kirstie and Charlie. Kirstie Simson (UK) is an internationally renowned improvisation teacher and performer with over four decades of practice, called 'a force of nature' by the New York Times. From 2008–2020 she held a tenured professorship at the University of Illinois. Charlie Brittain (UK) is a dance artist, choreographer, rehearsal director, and clinical sports therapist whose work spans dance companies, educational institutions, and festivals worldwide. This is an open-level workshop welcoming dancers, movement practitioners, and health professionals. Accommodation and food are self-organised. Limited possibility to be hosted by the local CI community at 12–15€/night (contact Valeria after registering). Contact: itsvaleriachan@gmail.com