Abbeygail has been living with patellofemoral joint dysfunction, resulting in significant restrictions in the lateral muscular structures of her knee and lateral tracking of the patella. She also experiences weakness in the medial quadriceps musculature. This injury has persisted for nearly 10 years. Due to bereavement and unforeseen circumstances, she has faced barriers in accessing the rehabilitation necessary to fully return to her creative practice. With support from the Thea Barnes Legacy Fund, Abbeygail will receive the necessary rehabilitation for her knee, restoring her physical capacity to continue her career as a freelance choreographer. In addition, she will pursue dance-based therapy to address mental health challenges stemming from prolonged setbacks, rejections, and the impact of racial and aesthetic biases within the industry. This therapy will help her build the mental fortitude required to expand her artistic practice, providing a healthier foundation for future work.

Seyi Adelekun is a multidisciplinary artist of Yoruba-Nigerian heritage whose practice explores ecospirituality within environmental justice. Their installations, performances, and sound works use regenerative design principles to world-build alternative realities that archive and disseminate indigenous knowledge and ecological wisdom. Rooted in ecosomatics, their performances and workshops integrate ritual, craft, embodied movement, and land-based practices to cultivate liberative spaces fostering interconnectedness and collective healing. Seyi will be developing the UK premiere of I Myself Do Nothing, the Tree Spirits Heal All Through Me during their Choreodrome residency at The Place. Conceived during their residency at 32° East in Uganda, the performance honours Aja, the Yoruba earth spirit and mother of all herbal healers. The piece amplifies the work of Black femme healers in environmental and global health movements. The performance will expand on the animistic worldview of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe (Yoruba spirituality), incorporating dance, ritual, and storytelling to create a sacred space for ancestral ecological connection. Seyi has performed at KLA ART '24, Kampala, Uganda; G.A.S. Foundation, Lagos, Nigeria; and ÌMÍ, Abuja, Nigeria. They’ve exhibited at South London Gallery, London Festival of Architecture, Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail, and led movement workshops for the Barbican London, Groove Biennale, Johannesburg, and London College of Fashion.

Sylvain Kefir Mangoni is a vibrant dance artist and a passionate advocate for social change. His work bridges cultures, fostering inclusivity among asylum seekers and local communities in Ireland through diverse artistic expressions such as ancestral storytelling, traditional dances and percussions. As the founder of Freedom Dancers, a dynamic group uniting asylum seekers and local residents, Sylvain champions the power of movement and rhythm as a form of liberation. The group’s performances have featured in numerous multicultural events across North Dublin. They serve as both artistic expression and therapy - enhancing physical well-being, relaxation, and mental resilience. Sylvain uses performance arts as a tool for empowerment, healing and community connection. His work embodies the spirit of connection, empowerment, and freedom, making him a beacon of resilience and creativity in the Irish community.