Lucy Bennett

Lucy successfully auditioned for StopGAP in 2003 after graduating with 1st Class Honours in 'Dance and Theatre Performance' from Doreen Bird College.

She enjoys the challenge of working in an integrated company, the different physicalities and the process of solving problems which result in the creation of innovative movement.

In addition to working for StopGAP, Lucy continues to organise summer schools and training courses with Brighton Dance Diversion, as well as choreographing for her own company 'Lunacy Nicked' which premiered at Resolution! in 2006.

The piece that Lucy and Chris created for Portfolio Collection has recently been made into a 10 minute dance film.

Lucy is determined to ensure that StopGAP creates pieces that suit everyone and stretch every individual's potential, giving a real sense of achievement – because of this, she was asked to devise the rigorous training programmes for the StopGAP apprentices and youth group.

Laura Jones

Laura joined StopGAP in 2001. Having suffered a spinal injury at the age of 16, she was determined to complete her 'Dance' A-level course, and in doing so, became the first person in a wheelchair to complete 100% of the syllabus.

In addition to StopGAP, Laura has also worked with Dancing Wheels, based in Cleveland Ohio, and performed in 'Elevation' for Caroline Bowditch at the Liberty Festival 2006, Trafalgar Square.

Winning a bursary from Dada South has also enabled Laura to develop her film skills by Directing and Producing the dance film 'Re:Bound'. Laura has a passion for developing the skills of the next generation of disabled dancers.

In 2006 she joined the teaching team for the People Moving Project, with Jo Parks; she was on the Advisory Group for the CandoCo Foundation Course and also mentors emerging dancers.

Chris Pavia

Chris was the first of the current dancers to join StopGAP. Recruited from a workshop in 1997, he became an apprentice in 1999 at the same time as studying for a Foundation GNVQ in 'Performing Arts' at Brooklands College. He was offered a full-time position with StopGAP in 2000.

Chris is currently in demand as a soloist performing in club nights for learning-disabled people and in January 2008, he presented a solo performance choreographed by himself for Resolution! at The Place in London. He is the first person with a learning disability to be selected for Resolution!

Ambitious and eager to continue developing, Chris finds time to seek other opportunities such as taking part in the acting course led by Mind the Gap.

Chris is proud to be chosen by Mencap as someone with Downs Syndrome achieving excellence in their career. He feels he’s been dancing for a long time and is looking forward to doing more, as well as continuing to travel the world.

Dan Watson

Dan graduated with 1st Class Honours in 'Dance Studies with Drama and Theatre Studies' from University of Surrey, Roehampton and beat many other dancers for his place in StopGAP during auditions in 2001.

He has worked with Protein Dance, Green Candle, Retina Dance Company and Seven Sisters Group, and was also commissioned as one of the choreographers on a major dance piece for the BBC initiative 'Where The Land Meets The Sea' in July 2006 featuring a cast of hundreds.

In January 2007, Dan premiered his new piece 'An Untold Amount of Steps' at The Place as part of Resolution! and again as part of the young people's dance performance, Fresh.

Dan is passionate about getting others interested in contemporary dance and discovering the way bodies move and work. He continues to ask questions (generally leading to more questions than answers) and has been instrumental in challenging and evolving StopGAP's methodologies.