Abilities Dance provides a platform to learn and perform for dancers of all physical and mental abilities.
Project Description
Abilities Dance is a Boston-based nonprofit that provides a professional platform to learn and perform for dancers of all mental and physical abilities. Since its inception in 2017, outside of our own show, the work of Abilities has been showcased in different festival and venues across the Boston area and beyond, most notably the the Boston Contemporary Dance Festival, Able Artworks Festival, and The Series: Vol IV at the Alvin Ailey Theatre. Audience members have been inspired and excited to see different types of bodies displayed.
On an artistic level, Abilities aims to tell stories in their works focusing on inclusion and other social justice issues. These stories are told by working with dancers to create movements that are suitable for their bodies. Through improvisational exercises and the dancers’ movement interests, they develop choreography that tells stories while letting the dancers’ voices resonate throughout the piece. They also incorporate composers to create original compositions for the pieces. The composers create music that match the movements of the choreography in a feedback process with the choreographer and composer. The collaboration between the three parties creates a unique piece that blends strong voices to tell a powerful story.
Our approach is much different than traditional approaches to choreography, where a choreographer has a vision and attempts to seek dancers to match the vision. From there they perform to already made music or music that has been composed for the piece in a less collaborative way. By putting different abilities first, we ensure that everyone has the safe space to learn and perform in the best way possible for the dancers.
The funding will be used to support our two night evening length show June 2nd and 3rd, 2018 at Hibernian Hall in Roxbury, MA. Specifically, the funding will be used for: rehearsal venue, performance venue, marketing, liability insurance, costumes, and small stipends for dancers and composers. Any additional funding will be used to support other performance opportunities throughout the season.
Updates
The Project FAQs
Challenge: Inclusive dance is hard to find in the Boston area
There are many dance companies, groups, and classes in the Boston area. It can be difficult to find accessible rehearsal/class spaces, physically and emotionally draining to participate in a class not necessarily catered to those of all abilities, and otherwise a somewhat negative experience for folks with different abilities who want to explore dancing.
Enter Abilities Dance. We cater to dancers' needs, from accessible rehearsal spaces to ensuring there is a safe place where dancers can be themselves and make work that showcases their stories and unique personalities. We hope that everyone can feel welcome to learn and perform in Abilities Dance.
Just Because I Care
Givers at this level are officially an Abilities Dance fan because they took the time to contribute to our campaign.
Givers at this level will receive digital downloads to videos from our first show February 3, 2017 at the Multicultural Arts Center.
Givers at this level will receive a #inclusion t-shirt
Givers at this level will receive two tickets for an Abilities Dance show to be redeemed at the next show June 15th & 16th, 2018 at Hibernian Hall or a future show.
Givers at this level will have a private two hour class session with Ellice Patterson, director and founder of Abilities Dance.
Givers at this level will have three private classes, two hours each, with Ellice Patterson, founder and director of Abilities Dance.
Givers at this level will receive two free tickets to our shows for the rest of the season, an Abilities t-shirt, a private class session with Director Ellice, and a special section in our programs and social media dedicated to our generous donors.
Rewards
Just Because I Care
Givers at this level are officially an Abilities Dance fan because they took the time to contribute to our campaign.
Givers at this level will receive digital downloads to videos from our first show February 3, 2017 at the Multicultural Arts Center.
Givers at this level will receive a #inclusion t-shirt
Givers at this level will receive two tickets for an Abilities Dance show to be redeemed at the next show June 15th & 16th, 2018 at Hibernian Hall or a future show.
Givers at this level will have a private two hour class session with Ellice Patterson, director and founder of Abilities Dance.
Givers at this level will have three private classes, two hours each, with Ellice Patterson, founder and director of Abilities Dance.
Givers at this level will receive two free tickets to our shows for the rest of the season, an Abilities t-shirt, a private class session with Director Ellice, and a special section in our programs and social media dedicated to our generous donors.