When Brookline local dancer Ellice Patterson had a spinal surgery that altered her way of moving, she found herself learning how to perform in a new way. Despite being a professional dancer, she was continuously turned away by companies that weren’t willing to accommodate her status. Like a true Brookline resident, that didn’t stop Patterson. When no other company would hire her, she created her own.
Abilities Dance Boston is a professional dance company comprised of dancers with disabilities. These artists understand that being visually impaired or in a wheelchair doesn’t hinder the creative spirit within.
“Dance uses the body to tell stories and process emotions, and we deserve to be able to participate in that,” says Patterson. “People have a lot of preconceived notions about people with disabilities.” In addition to hosting workshops and events, Abilities puts on one major showcase every year. Their next large-scale performance, called “Audacity” will debut in March of 2019.
The company operates as a traditional dance company, except the choreography is designed to accommodate the dancers’ way of moving. Patterson choreographs the pieces and then communicates with the dancers about what feels comfortable and works for their styles.
Patterson celebrates her experience as a woman of color as much as her physical disability. She says one of the biggest misconceptions she encounters is that disabled people are defined by their condition.
“There’s a whole inspiration narrative that’s not focusing on the person themselves,” she says. “I want to showcase diversity not just within disability but within race and sexuality. We are not just our disabilities.” Abilities encourage viewers to view the dancers as multifaceted people with various identities beyond their physical status.
In addition to facilitated disabled dancers, the troupe caters to viewers with services like eloquent audio descriptions by a dance writer to enhance the experience for visually impaired audience members. The company has performed with The Brookline Ballet School, Cambridge’s Multicultural Arts Center and with several venues in Manhattan.
Community members can support Abilities by attending performances and donating to the online campaigns that keep the company running. Patterson hopes to continue making connections in the community and showcasing the talents of the Abilities dancers. She encourages Brookline residents to reach out with collaboration inquiries and questions.
“Engage us in conversation,” she says. “We never shy away from communication about being a dancer with disabilities. I hope people learn that diversity can mean so many different things. Inclusive practices can be incorporated into their own world.”