WomanEwer: A Nine Day Dance Residency Exploring Consent, Care and Womanhood

In July 2026, Bangalore International Centre will host WomanEwer, an intensive contemporary dance residency designed exclusively for trained women dancers. More than a dance programme, WomanEwer is a multidisciplinary artistic project that brings together movement, conversation, sound and personal storytelling to explore the realities and contradictions of womanhood.

Led by internationally recognised artists Laura Kenyon and Sara Maurizi, the residency creates a space where participants can engage with themes of consent, collective care, resilience and lived experience through contemporary dance practice. Over nine days, dancers will train, create, collaborate and ultimately perform a work inspired by real stories of women.

For those interested in socially engaging performance, contemporary dance and collaborative artistic processes, WomanEwer offers a rare opportunity to work closely with international practitioners in an environment built around trust, reflection and creative expression.

What is WomanEwer?

WomanEwer is a female led multidisciplinary arts project that connects women through movement and creative practice while supporting conversations around survivorship, healing and empowerment.

At its core, the project examines the complexities of womanhood. It explores the ways women can simultaneously be caregivers and individuals, vulnerable and resilient, survivors and storytellers. Through dance, voice, imagery and conversation, participants are encouraged to reflect on their experiences and contribute to a collective artistic process.

The Bengaluru residency is centred around the recreation of J'ai Un Bleu (I Have A Bruise), a one hour contemporary dance performance developed from the real experiences of the women who perform it.

Participants become part of an evolving creative process that blends movement with personal reflection and shared storytelling, instead of just learning choreography.

The performance that inspired the residency

The residency is built around J'ai Un Bleu (I Have A Bruise), a contemporary dance work created by WomanEwer Artistic Director Laura Kenyon.

The piece explores themes of trauma, memory, survival, consent and recovery through movement and spoken expression. Drawing from real lived experiences, the performance invites performers to engage with real stories instead of fictional narratives.

Throughout the residency, participants work towards presenting a version of the piece at Bangalore International Centre, culminating in a public group performance at the end of the programme.

This final presentation represents the outcome of nine days of collective creation, research and collaboration.

What happens during the nine days of the residency?

The residency runs from 8 July to 17 July 2026 and follows a structured daily schedule designed to balance technical training with creative exploration.

Each day begins with contemporary dance training before transitioning into repertoire work and collaborative research sessions.

The daily schedule is:

• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM: Contemporary dance training
• 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM: Repertoire and performance material
• 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM: Lunch break
• 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM: Creative Lab and collaborative creation sessions

The combination of technique, performance work and creative research allows participants to develop both their physical practice and artistic voice throughout the residency.

Contemporary dance training led by Laura Kenyon

Every morning begins with intensive contemporary dance training led by Laura Kenyon. The sessions combine:

• Breath work
• Guided improvisation
• Floor work
• Spatial awareness exercises
• Crossing patterns
• Handstand training
• Energy based movement exploration

The training encourages dancers to connect movement with emotion, creativity and communication apart from techniques.

Participants are invited to explore how different parts of the body initiate movement and how physical expression can become a tool for connection and storytelling.

Inside The Creative Lab

The Creative Lab forms the emotional and artistic heart of the residency.

Each afternoon is dedicated to research, discussion and creation. Participants work with a toolkit developed by Laura Kenyon over several years of artistic practice. The process incorporates:

• Guided improvisation tasks
• Visual prompts
• Artwork and photography
• Poetry and creative writing
• Vocal exercises
• Repertoire from WomanEwer productions
• Group conversations and reflection

The aim is not simply to create choreography but to develop movement material rooted in personal experience and collective exchange.

Participants are encouraged to contribute their own perspectives, ideas and stories, helping shape the final performance in meaningful ways.

Who are the artists leading WomanEwer

Laura Kenyon

Laura Kenyon is a Franco-English multidisciplinary artist based in London whose work combines contemporary dance, theatre, visual arts and yoga.

Her practice frequently explores themes of womanhood, ecofeminism, identity and emotional expression. As the founder and Artistic Director of WomanEwer, she is particularly interested in how movement can help release emotions, process experiences and create empowerment.

Alongside her own artistic projects, Laura has performed internationally with several contemporary dance companies and has led workshops across Europe and Asia, including previous projects in India.

Sara Maurizi

Sara Maurizi is an Italian dance artist and performer based in London.

After completing her MA in Contemporary Dance Performance, she developed an international career working with a wide range of choreographers and artists, including Marina Abramović.

She co-founded VI.SA. Dance Project and has worked extensively as both a performer and educator. Since 2021, she has served as Assistant Rehearsal Director for WomanEwer and plays a key role in guiding performers through the creative process.

Together, Laura and Sara bring significant international experience to the Bengaluru residency.

Eligibility criteria for participation

WomanEwer is designed specifically for trained dancers. The residency is open to:

• Women only
• Ages 20 to 40
• Participants with prior dance training
• Dancers able to commit to the entire residency period
• Participants available for the final performance

Places are limited and allocated through an application and selection process. This ensures a focused group environment where participants can engage fully with the artistic and emotional demands of the programme.

Why this residency is a stand-out

Dance residencies are not uncommon, but WomanEwer offers something notably different.

First, it is entirely free to attend, making a high quality international residency accessible to a wider group of dancers. Second, it places equal importance on artistic development and emotional wellbeing. Themes such as consent, collective care and survivorship are embedded into the creative process.

Finally, participants are invited to become collaborators where the boundary between the performer and the creator breaks. The residency values personal contribution, encouraging dancers to shape the work alongside the facilitators.

For many dancers, opportunities to participate in this kind of artist led, process driven residency are relatively rare.

About Bangalore International Centre (BIC)

The residency takes place at Bangalore International Centre, one of Bengaluru's leading cultural and intellectual venues.

Located in Domlur, the centre regularly hosts talks, performances, exhibitions, workshops and interdisciplinary arts programmes. Its focus on dialogue, creativity and public engagement makes it a fitting home for a project like WomanEwer.

Address: Bangalore International Centre, 7, 4th Main Road, Domlur II Stage, Bengaluru 560071

By Metro, the nearest station is Indiranagar followed by a short auto rickshaw or cab ride. By car or taxi, the venue is easily accessible from Indiranagar, MG Road, Koramangala and the Outer Ring Road corridor.

Key details

Event: WomanEwer — A Dance Residency in Consent and Collective Care
Dates: 8 July to 17 July 2026
Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily
Venue: Bangalore International Centre, Domlur
Eligibility: Women aged 20 to 40 with dance training
Fee: Free
Facilitators: Laura Kenyon and Sara Maurizi
Contact: events@bangaloreinternationalcentre.org
Phone: +91 98865 99675
RSVP: Click here to register

WomanEwer is not a conventional dance workshop. It is an intensive artistic residency that combines contemporary dance, collaborative creation and personal storytelling within a supportive women only environment.

At a time when conversations around consent, care and collective support continue to evolve, WomanEwer demonstrates how dance can become a powerful space for connection, reflection and creative expression.