Arts and Culture: Dance Companies

National Resources
Washington D.C.
State Listings
CA /

(Official USPS State Abbreviations)
Country Listings
United Kingdom

Washington D.C.

Gallaudet Dance Company is a performing group of approximately 15 dancers. All members of the company are undergraduate or graduate students at Gallaudet University, the world's only accredited liberal arts university for deaf and hard of hearing students. Each dancer's background is different both in terms of hearing loss, preferred communication mode, secondary school education, and current major field of study as a University student, but all the dancers are excellent communicators. They rely on their vision as their primary mode of communication and communicate through their dancing in a range of styles, including dance that uses American Sign Language as its foundation. Gallaudet University itself is a bilingual community where students, faculty, and staff communicate with each other in both American Sign Language and English. For more information telephone: Sue Gill-Doleac, current Director of the Gallaudet Dance Company at (202) 651 5501, or E-Mail: Susan.Gill-Doleac@gallaudet.edu/ or write: Gallaudet Dance Company, Department of Physical Education and Recreation, Gallaudet University, Field House, 800 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002-3695.

State Listings

California

AXIS Dance Company has created an exciting body of work developed by dancers with and without disabilities. They are in the forefront of paving the way for a powerful and inclusive dance form, physically integrated dance. AXIS has performed in theaters and dance spaces at its home base in the Bay Area, on tour throughout the U.S., as well as in Germany and Siberia. Described as a "visual and physical discovery, creating fascinating works of movement art, " the Company has become internationally known for its high artistic and educational standards and innovative movement vocabulary. Now a ten-member ensemble under the Artistic Direction of Judith Smith, their repertory includes works by AXIS choreographers, Stephen Petronio, Bill T. Jones, Joe Goode, Joanna Haigood, and Sonya Delwaide. The company also offers classes in physical integration dance. For more information about the dance company, contact Mollie McFarland, Company Manager, email: mollie@axisdance.org For information regarding AXIS education and outreach programs, contact Alisa Rasera, Program Director email: alisa@axisdance.org or write the AXIS Dance Company, 1428 Alice Street, Suite 201, Oakland, CA 94612, Phone (510) 625-0110 or Fax (510) 625-0321.

Country Listings

United Kingdom

Anjali Dance Company is a professional, contemporary, pioneering dance company whose members all have a learning disability. The company produces and tours performances, and undertakes educational and outreach work: it is one of the first of its kind in the world. Anjali aims to show that disability is no barrier to creativity(the name is Sanskrit for 'joining hands'). Anjali aims to challenge prejudice and preconception. The company creates dance work of the highest standard, which is then toured to all sections of the community. Anjali Dance Company is now one of the first to offer accredited dance courses for adults with learning disabilities. This accredited program has been funded by the Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Learning and Skills Council (MKOB LSC)

The courses offer a balance of learning opportunities with an emphasis on recognition of achievements, and they equip participants with an understanding of technique that fosters confidence in their own personal creative direction and decision-making. For more information contact the Anjali Dance Company, The Mill Arts Centre, Spiceball Park, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 8QE or Phone/fax: 01295 251909, or email info@anjali.co.uk

StopGAP is a dance company that challenges traditional notions about dance by using each dancer's physical and intellectual potential as a starting point for creating new work. It works from a philosophy of physical, psychological and social integration. In so doing they recognize and celebrate individuality and the differences between people while continually seeking artistic and technical excellence in all that they do. If you would like to discuss a project idea, make a booking or view their show, contact them by using one of the methods below: by post - PO Box 2, Woking, Surrey,GU22 9BF, by phone: 01784 741 740 or contact by email vicki@stopgap.uk.com

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