London 2012 Choreographer Mark Smith reflects on the legacy of the Paralympic Opening Ceremony
"What made the opening ceremony of the Paralympics London 2012 so special was that is changed people's perspective of Deaf and disabled people especially in sport and art. It made people see us differently in a more inclusive and positive way. I think we gained so much respect as a result.
I am currently working as a choreographer & creative director for a project called Synergy. This is a new performance created for a company of Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent artists with support from the UK aid funded AT2030 programme, led by the Global Disability Innovation Hub, The Arts Council, Blueprint and Sibikwa Arts Center (South Africa). Synergy will be presented at the Greenwich Dockland International Festival this September. It has been a great experience to work alongside such talented performers such as Musa Motha (who will be performing at Paris Paralympic Opening Ceremony), collaborating to create this magnificent piece. I am proud to be an artistic director and founder of my own dance company Deaf Men Dancing and DMD+ which have a successful following and have had many opportunities to present inspiring new work. "