If you can breathe, you can dance. That’s the motto for Propeller Dance, Ottawa’s only integrated dance company.
Started in 2007, Propeller Dance provides recreational classes, school and community programs for dancers with and without disability. The group, which calls itself an agent of change, says it works to broaden people’s view of diversity and of disability.
Shara Weaver is one of the company’s co-founders. She says the group was formed to fill a void in Ottawa’s dance comunity.
“There was a real need to create something that was accessible to all people and now what’s come out of that is a professional company,” Weaver says.
The 9 person professional company creates contemporary dance pieces that have been performed all across the country. The group has been asked to perform at the Parapan American Games this Summer in Toronto.
Jessie Huggett is one of the company dancers. She learned to love dance at a young, finding joy in expressing emotions and feelings through movement.
“When I was in high school I was judged and labelled because I had Down Syndrome,” she says.
“Propeller made me feel welcome. It made me feel safe and it feels wonderful.”
The full company has a show next weekend, May 8th and 9th, at the Great Canadian Theatre Company.
