Abilities Dance Boston to Spotlight Original Compositions in Concert Celebrating Disability Inclusion
Abilities Dance Boston will present 10 original compositions performed by a live 13-piece ensemble, highlighting the company's mission to center disabled artists and challenge ableism through accessible performing arts.
Abilities Dance Boston, a dance company committed to centering artists with disabilities and expanding access in Greater Boston's performing arts space, will showcase the original works of its composers in a special concert at Hibernian Hall in Roxbury. The Music of Abilities Dance Boston concert will celebrate the creative collaborations that have shaped the company's recent works, bringing attention to the original music behind several past dance performances.
The November 7 event will feature approximately 10 original compositions performed by a live 13-person ensemble conducted by Music Director Andrew Choe. Pieces written by Choe, along with composers Robert Gross and Erin Rogers, will be presented together for the first time in this celebratory evening guided by artistry and inclusion. This concert brings the musical component of Abilities Dance performances to center stage, according to company leadership.
Ellice Patterson, Founder and Executive Director of Abilities Dance Boston, emphasized that the original compositions created for their performances serve as more than just dance accompaniment. These works function as a vehicle for challenging ableism and reimagining what artistry and access can look like when everyone's voice is heard. The company is excited to give composers and musicians space to let their music shine during the concert.
The showcase is part of Abilities Dance's performing company program, which provides equitable employment opportunities for disabled and diverse artists and administrators who bring the company's work to life. Each performance highlights intersectional themes such as climate justice, racial equity and accessibility, told through the combined power of dance and music. To ensure an inclusive experience for all audience members, the concert will offer ASL interpretation.
Tickets to The Music of Abilities Dance are available for purchase, with general admission priced at $35. The company also offers free and sliding scale ticket price options to ensure accessibility to the event for all interested attendees. Since its inception in 2017, Abilities Dance Boston has worked to redefine the performing arts landscape across Greater Boston by centering artists with disabilities and advocating for inclusion through dance and music. More information about the organization and its mission is available at abilitiesdanceboston.org.
The company's approach represents a significant shift in how performing arts organizations approach accessibility and representation. By placing disabled artists at the center of creative decision-making and ensuring both artistic and audience accessibility, Abilities Dance Boston demonstrates how inclusive practices can enrich artistic expression while creating more equitable opportunities within the cultural sector.