In the Bag
Joyful Jams is a dementia arts CIC in the New Forest dedicated to creating meaningful, sensory arts experiences for people living with dementia. We are now developing our long-running project Pictures of You into a high-quality solo Suitcase Theatre production designed to tour dementia communities throughout the region.
Since 2019, Pictures of You has been at the heart of our creative practice. The project has evolved through many forms, beginning as early research and development, becoming a digital film during the pandemic, and later reaching audiences through socially distanced performances in care home gardens in 2022. Each stage has deepened our understanding of how creativity, memory, music and movement can bring connection, joy and comfort to people living with dementia.
We are now entering an exciting new stage of artistic development. Our aim is to bring together everything we have learned from these earlier versions and shape it into a refined, professional one woman show created especially for dementia audiences.
At the centre of the performance is Joyful Jams Director Louisa White, an experienced and respected dementia arts practitioner, registered Somatic Dance Educator and Movement Therapist. Louisa will step into the role of solo performer, drawing on over fifteen years of experience creating responsive, sensory led arts experiences for people living with advanced dementia.
This next chapter invites us to rethink how the work is made and shared. Working alongside experienced community director and Suitcase Theatre performer Emily Butler, we are translating the visual richness of film and the connection of the original three performer piece into an intimate solo performance rooted in the rural New Forest community.
Together, we are developing our own approach to Suitcase Theatre in consultation with Forest Forge Theatre and creative maker James Henderson. We are thrilled to welcome original JAMS team member James back for this new chapter. He has been a vital part of our history, having captured the magic of our previous live shows on film. For In The Bag, James is evolving his role alongside the project.
Our approach combines song, dance, movement, play and sensory storytelling, holding onto the sense of wonder, warmth and connection that defines Joyful Jams while creating something portable, flexible and able to reach more people.
"MAST are very pleased to confirm that we will be supporting Louisa White as part of our Propel: Artist Residencies to develop a professional solo dance touring piece. This phase will allow Louisa to create a high-quality touring piece that delights audiences, celebrating the resilience and beauty of aging and change, connection and joy. We are keen to continue supporting the project as it develops."
Working in partnership with MAST Mayflower Studios and Hampshire Cultural Trust, Joyful Jams will undertake focused creative residencies to revisit and reshape material from the original Pictures of You performances into this new “Jams in the Bag” iteration of the work.
With support from Colten Care and African Activities, the project will extend our creative reach into 30 dementia care settings across the New Forest. Alongside broadening the diversity of our storytelling, this work will help us strengthen a sustainable and professional model for solo touring performances that bring meaningful, accessible arts experiences to people living with dementia.
THE CREATIVE TEAM
Louisa White
Lead Performer and Director, Joyful Jams
DYCP award winner Louisa is a renowned dementia practitioner and registered Somatic Movement Therapist and Dance Educator with more than fifteen years of experience in arts for dementia. As the solo performer for In the Bag, she combines sensory storytelling, movement and co regulation practices to create deep and responsive connections with residents living with advanced dementia.
Below is Louisa’s design concept for the In the Bag suitcase theatre design.
Louisa says: "I want to create a space where a simple suitcase becomes a gateway to a magical story of love and life. My goal is to remind us of the goodness in the world – to offer a moment where the audience and I can step away from the everyday and exist, together, in a reality filled with wonder and joy.”
James Henderson
Specialist Maker & Documentarian
A 2018 First Class film graduate, James is an expert at telling "interesting stories in exciting ways." He will be responsible for filming and editing our three trial performances, creating the dynamic high-quality promos that will carry this tour into 30 new settings.
Beyond the lens, James is a gifted performance designer with an extensive background in sets, puppets, and video projection. While this marks his first foray into Suitcase Theatre, he isn't working in isolation; he will be consulting with the experts at Forest Forge Theatre on the suitcase design. This partnership ensures that James’ creative making skills are backed by specialist technical consultation, resulting in a bespoke, portable stage-in-a-box that is beautiful and tour-ready.
Emily Butler
Project Director
Emily is an experienced community director and Suitcase Theatre specialist with a long history of working with Forest Forge and London Age Exchange. She brings strong artistic direction to the project, helping shape the transition from ensemble work into an intimate and portable solo performance.
Sam Gilroy
Choreographer
A core member of the original Pictures of You ensemble, Sam is a highly skilled movement specialist and choreographer. She brings a deep understanding of the project’s physical language and supports the translation of the original ensemble choreography into a fluid and engaging solo performance.
Anna Carr
Director and Poet
Anna is an accomplished director and writer and was an original live Garden Performance member, specialising in narrative structure and poetic storytelling. She supports the creative transition from film and ensemble work into a cohesive solo production, ensuring the piece remains emotionally resonant and theatrically rich.
Janet Ayres
Vocal Specialist and Composer
Janet composed and performed the original Pictures of You film score and has extensive experience in community music practice. She leads the musical development of the project, adapting and evolving the compositions for a one woman performance while maintaining their emotional depth and warmth.