Corali has two main strands of activity:
Corali devise and tour original performance work made by a core group of permanent company members (who have a learning disability) and artistic collaborators. Corali is best known for its site-specific performances and for its partnerships with high profile venues such as Tate Modern. Whitechapel Art Gallery and Sadler’s Wells Theatre.
Corali delivers a full engagement programme that provides outreach, education and training in a range of settings such as special schools, colleges, youth clubs and arts institutions.
This programme includes Arts Award courses, choreographic mentoring, and placements.
Corali originated in a Day Centre in Southwark and was founded by one of the centre’s social services workers, Virginia Moffat. At that time Corali was a casual dance group, formed as a result of the clients’ interest and enjoyment of dance and the arts. The name Corali is an anagram of the first letters of the original company members’ names.
It was clear that the company was very committed, and developed a reputation for engaging and entertaining shows. In 1991, the company received an initial grant of £6,000 from Charity Projects and the company moved away from the day centre and set up independently, based in an office at a local community centre. It was also at this time that Virginia left the company to pursue her own career and she handed over the baton to Sarah Dawson and Susan Norwood (as Director and Choroegrapher respectively).
Now in its 23rd year, Corali is based at Oval House Theatre in Lambeth and is run by two part-time staff, the Artistic Director (Sarah Archdeacon) and the Participation Officer (Andrea Gerrett) with the help of regular office volunteer, Bethan Kendrick (who has a learning disability). The Company is overseen by a 6 strong Board of Directors and its project work is facilitated by a committed team of 5 freelance educationalists and regular volunteers.