ELLA ROBSON GUILFOYLE
CHOREOGRAPHER
A Fairy Tale is a research project that aims to empower young people through creativity.
Why this matters:
Young people deserve the space to imagine bigger futures. But with arts funding cut and schools stretched, many don’t get the chance to be creative. A Fairy Tale is a project to change that - free, creative workshops that help young people build confidence, explore their imaginations, and see their stories brought to life on stage and screen.
I’m Ella Robson Guilfoyle, a choreographer who makes circus shows with dancing, writing, and storytelling. I’ve been working with young people for over twenty years, and they constantly inspire my work. A Fairy Tale puts their voices at the heart of the creative process - because their ideas matter.
What inspired us?
We talked about fairy tales and what role they play in our lives. I connect with the writing of Angela Carter because I love the way she takes stories that we know and places them in real life, subverting the roles of their female protagonists giving them control and power. That we can do this with our imagination feels important and I wondered how I could work with young people to sprinkle magic on their memories so that they can imagine new possibilities.
What is A Fairy Tale?
It’s a creative research project offering free storytelling and movement workshops to young people in Croydon and London. Together, we’ll turn their memories into modern-day fairy tales - giving them the tools to shape their own stories and futures.
These workshops develop:
Confidence in self-expression
Collaboration through creative teamwork
Imaginative thinking to see new possibilities
Last year, I ran workshops at Orchard Park High School and with students at the National Centre for Circus Arts. Their ideas became choreography, cassette recordings, and beautiful opening scenes for a new show. They blew me away. But schools don’t have budgets to pay for these enriching experiences. That’s where you come in.
What’s happening next?
This summer, I’ll run:
6 workshops at Orchard Park High School
A 6-day creative residency with students from the National Centre for Circus Arts at the Roundhouse
We’ll work with filmmaker Danny Sangra to create animated films of their stories, check out his work it's great
These films will be shared with friends, families, schools, and funding bodies - and with you!
This isn’t just for fun (though it is fun!). It’s a step towards making a full-length professional dance circus show, shaped by young people’s voices made with with project partner the Roundhouse.
Why I need your help:
I’ve applied twice to Arts Council England for funding, but competition is fierce and funds are tight. The Roundhouse provided a reduced rate on their a purpose built circus creation space that provides access to aerial rigging, but I need help covering costs for the space, equipment, and filming.
With your support, we can:
Give young people the creative space they deserve in a safe environment
Show them their ideas matter
Create beautiful films and performances they can be proud of
Build momentum to secure larger, long-term funding for the full show
What will you get?
Early access to short films and portraits of the young co-creators
Beautiful posters with QR codes linking to the films
A behind-the-scenes look at how their ideas become art
The chance to say you supported something special at the very start
Stretch target?
If we raise more than the target: I’ll hire a producer to help develop the next phase - meaning more schools, more workshops, more opportunities for young people.
About me:
I’ve made sell-out shows with Barely Methodical Troupe at the Roundhouse, Platform Theatre, The Peacock, and toured internationally. I’ve collaborated with cutting-edge creatives like United Visual Artists and worked on fashion campaigns with photographers like Julien Martinez Leclerc. I believe that creativity builds stronger, healthier societies.
Follow along on my website and Instagram - I’d love for you to be part of A Fairy Tale.
If you you would like to help this project happen please follow the link https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/a-fairy-tale2025
Support creativity. Support young people. Help us make A Fairy Tale come true.
