At times, the Opening Ceremonies for last year’s Paralympic Games was a beautiful celebration of the talents of the disabled dancers and athletes onstage, like when the brilliant South African dancer Musa Motha made magic with his crutches. But then came a moment that many in this disability dance community found upsetting: The nondisabled performers […]

In recent years, the dance world has grown and changed “in really cool ways,” says India Harville, the founder and executive director of disability justice performing arts organization Embraced Body. “We’re seeing more BIPOC dancers, and fat dancers, and queer dancers, and Disabled dancers.” What’s still missing, according to Harville, is the acknowledgment that many […]

Jerron Herman, disabled dancer, on the time travel, call and response, and the importance of gut feelings.

After 30 years of pioneering work in physically integrated dance, AXIS Dance Company co-founder Judith Smith has announced plans to retire from the Oakland, California, company. Throughout her tenure, she strived to get equal recognition for integrated dance and disabled dancers, commissioning work from high-profile choreographers like Bill T. Jones. Her efforts generated huge momentum […]