A Conversation about Physically Integrated Dance

On Wed. Nov. 9th, professionals from the Chicago dance and disability community gathered at Access Living for "From Aspiration to Artist, a Conversation about Physically Integrated Dance in Chicago." At this event, a panel of integrated dance leaders spoke about disability in the performing arts, sharing their opinions and experiences and answering questions from the
audience.


Members of our panel spoke passionately about the future of integrated dance; each is working to expand and strengthen the field and can be a great resource for dancers, choreographers and company leaders with and without disabilities - please use the links provided to learn more about these artists and the work they are doing. The panel for the evening included:
Larry Ippel and Stephanie Clemens of Momenta

• "Choosing to be integrated is a commitment from the Artistic Director, not a one time thing." - Clemens
• "We fought to get the changes made to make public transit accessible...sometime it just requires a little bit of a fight." - Ippel
  
• "It's exciting to see you all here, but what are you going to do about these issues when you go home tonight?" - Ippel

Jessica Martin, Dancer and Choreographer from Momenta

• "I like dance because there are no rules. The people I dance with are like my second family." - Martin

Alana Wallace of Dance Detour

• "People think the quality of the company will be "cute" or "inspiring" - integrated dance is about more than that." - Wallace

Lucia Mauro, Dance Writer

• "Integrated dance is a sort of therapy, but it is more than that. It is artistic expression and people need to know that." - Mauro

Elizabeth Millman of the Joffrey Ballet's Academy

• "At the Academy we don't turn any people away from our classes. All are welcome." - Millman

Citlali Lopez-Ortiz, Integrated Dance Instructor

• "I think bringing integration into any performance adds to how we perceive our own humanity." - Lopez-Ortiz

Carrie Sandahl, Associate Prof. in the Dept. Of Disability and Human Development at U of I

• "We need to create the art that is cool enough for non-accessible spaces to NEED to make the change." - Sandahl

The Auditorium Theatre is dedicated to providing equal opportunities for performers with and without disabilities. Brett Batterson of the Auditorium Theatre stressed, "As long as physically integrated dance meets our criteria for programing, we will continue to bring these wonderful companies."

We are excited to be presenting AXIS Dance Company this weekend at the Auditorium Theatre. Tickets can be purchased HERE. Save $10 by using code SOCIAL.