Chris Fonseca (Co-Artistic Director, Fuse Theatre / Co-writer / performer, Follow the Signs)
Chris is a dance artist, choreographer, theatre-maker, and teacher, specialising in Hip Hop and Street Dance styles. Born and raised in the heart of South East London, Chris works extensively across the UK and overseas, as he often receives international invitations, funding and commissions. He is a founding member of Def Motion (2011-13), an all-deaf dance group affiliated with Deaffest – UK’s leading Deaf-led Film & Arts Festival. He also appeared at the Paralympics opening ceremony (London 2012, UK).
Since then, the preceding eleven years have offered him a diverse spectrum of experiences and illuminated my talents to become a versatile artist and creator. In 2019, Chris’ audition for the BBC’s Greatest Dancer went viral as he wowed millions of people with his unique style and, more recently, in 2023, Chris partnered with rap sensation Stormzy and Rockstar Energy Drinks to translate 5 of Stormzy’s biggest hits into BSL to help make Grime music accessible to a Deaf audience.
Harry Jardine (Co-Artistic Director, Fuse Theatre / Co-Writer, Director, Performer, Follow the Signs)
Harry Jardine is an experienced theatre director, producer, and theatre programmer, with a passion for inclusive live events and innovative productions. With a strong track record, Harry has directed and co-written productions such as Follow The Signs at the Soho Theatre and Stig of the Dump at the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre in Chester. Additionally, he has collaborated on various projects, including directing the music video for Follow The Signs with Chris Fonseca.
Harry’s involvement in theatre extends beyond the stage as he co-founded Streatham Space Project in 2016 and was lead producer there until 2020, organising diverse live events and fully accessible performances. Notable achievements include commissioning Deaf and Hard of Hearing choreographers for the Can Do Project and co-founding A Night in Sign, producing inclusive live events for Deaf and hard of hearing performers at prestigious venues such as Bristol Old Vic, Orange Tree Theatre, and Shakespeare’s Globe.
Harry has extensive experience as a workshop curator, offering acting coaching and devising plays with young people, particularly focusing on inclusivity in SEN and Deaf schools. He is also the director and writer for 2024’s White City Youth Theatre at the Bush Theatre in London. Fluent in British Sign Language and a qualified sign language interpreter, Harry is dedicated to contributing his skills and passion for the arts to create a more accessible and inclusive environment.
About Follow the Signs
A fully BSL-led hip-hop gig theatre show, Follow the Signs is performed through BSL, rap, spoken English, movement, and creative captioning, to be shared and celebrated by Deaf and hearing audiences together. It tells the story of acclaimed dancer and choreographer Chris Fonseca: from infanthood when he lost his hearing after contracting meningitis, through a school system unable to value his differences, into teenage years where music and dance entered his life, to meeting Raffie Julien, a mixed-race Deaf woman whose lived experience seemingly couldn’t be more different.
Need to know: you can catch Follow the Signs on the following dates:
- Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol: 4 – 7 September 2024
- Leeds Playhouse: 12 – 14 September 2024
- Soho Theatre, London: 24 – 12 October 2024
- HOME Manchester: 5 – 9 November 2024
Read our 4 star review of Follow the Signs
