Creative performing arts: ways of witnessing practice

Through a case-study approach, this chapter shares the practical thinking and solutions developed in 2021 when having to re-consider usual assessment methods of practical dance work, due to pandemic restrictions on personal movements and spaces. Student perspectives are included through responses to an ethically approved qualitative questionnaire that took place once assessment of the case-study module was over. This autoethnographic account of ongoing action research seeks to additionally highlight non-pandemic related reasons for reconsideration of assessment design, such as improving overall access and equity for academic excellence for all participants. As such, the chapter is supported by literature and discourse on subject area development, critical disability studies and diversity of both students and assessment itself. It is hoped that the experiences and applications detailed could be useful to the many other example subject areas that are based in practical work such as outdoor education, events management, and healthcare. These 2021 activities and findings face forwards to a future of enhanced in-person and remote delivery from a social, not only technological point of view.