Support the Creation of Stasiland

What is Stasiland?

Stasiland is a 20 minute, dance theatre piece designed to be performed in theatres, galleries & libraries. Set amongst the shredded document ruins of East Germany we delve into a world of total surveillance where anxiety is the regime. We watch as through the reconstruction of the Stasi files the secrets of our characters' lives are revealed to them, exposing the poignant truths of connection, loss and reunification.

(Inspired by Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall by Anna Funder).

Why are we raising money?

At the end of July we will be entering a creation period for this new work hiring 4 dancers and inviting a photographer and videographer to capture our creative process. To do this, while paying everyone the wages they deserve, we need a total of £3600.

I am so happy to say Stasiland has received Arts Council Funding for 60% of its Budget. Additionally to this, Stasiland has already attracted the support from one of the UK’s leading dance centres, and received funding through the Trinity Laban Thrive Program 2024. We have also raised a portion of our budget through Workshops with Primary School Students in the South that explored unlocking stories through movement. Through these 3 avenues we’ve already raised 82% of our budget!

To bring Stasiland to life we need your help! We need to raise the remainder of our budget so that we can bring this work to you in venues across the South Coast and in London, engaging people & communities with these wonderful stories.

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far!

Who are you supporting?

By donating to our fundraiser you are supporting:

Olivia Wallis Jackson - Choreographer of & Dancer in Stasiland

I’m Olivia, a British-German Contemporary Dancer, Choreographer, Photographer, Teacher & Rehearsal Director working across the South and in London. Throughout the course of my training & career I have worked with artists & companies such as Luke Brown Dance, Michael Getman, Jonathan Fredrickson, Morvell Dance, Alleyne Dance, Charles Linehan & Shobana Jeyasingh. Alongside performance, I also work as a dance photographer and engage with community dance work as rehearsal director for ORB Youth Dance Co.

Mandy Tan - Dancer in Stasiland

Mandy is a contemporary dance artist and educator from Singapore. Her distinct movement style — a continuous flow of energy threading each move into the next — draws influences from her early years of training in classical Chinese Dance and Ballet. Infused with acrobatic skills and floorwork techniques, she brings a blend of elegance and athleticism into every aspect of her artistic practice, from her performances and choreographies to her classes. Since moving to London in 2021, Mandy has been performing and creating dance works for stage and film, alongside leading classes in her local community. She is currently performing for Sonia Sabri Company under The Place's Playground Tour 2024.

Jonah Wigley - Dancer in Stasiland

Jonah is Dancer, Choreographer & Graphic Designer, working & living in London. Originally from the South Coast, he has worked with artists such as Luke Brown, James Cousins, Sung Im Her, Motionhouse, Rubberband & Avant Garde Dance and launched his own company Ino Dance in 2024 with his first professional work ‘Where You Held Me’. His background in dance is eclectic working with styles such as contemporary, street, hip-hop, popping, isolations, breaking dancing, floor work and acrobatics.

Kai Harvey - Dancer in Stasiland

Kai is a dancer & choreographer based in London, originally from the South West. He has recently graduated from Rambert School & in now working as a freelance dance artist. He has previously worked with Russell Maliphant Company, Arthur Pit & Robbie Ordoña. He specialises in contemporary dance, focusing on continuous & flowing movements.

Grace Richardson - Photographer

Georgia Aiken - Videographer

How can you get involved?

Other than donating you can get involved and support this creation in a number of ways.

1. SHARE our Fundraiser

2. JOIN Company Class from 10:00-11:00 each day of our creation

3. STAY in the Space - the studio will be open throughout the creation for dance artists to watch & participate in tasks.

4. WATCH our end of week sharing & feedback to us.

We are currently planning 3 test performances of the work in a theatre, gallery & library space so stay in contact so you can be the first to get tickets when these venues are announced.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS.