In ‘Waiting in the Wings No More’, two distinct but connected worlds emerge from two internationally recognized inclusive dance choreographers Lucy Bennett (Artistic Director, Stop Gap Dance Co.) and Renata Soutter (outgoing Artistic and Executive Director, Propeller Dance). A ground-breaking moment in the Canadian dance landscape; witness reflections on experiences of disability, musings on the beauty of disabled bodyminds taking space, and the pride that comes through pushing back against society’s standards and expectations of disability and dance through the lens of Disability Pride, joy, and culture.
Bennett's creation Stage Door is a site-generic work of immersive dance conversations and revealing vignettes, conceived by Bennett and Hannah Sampson from Stopgap Dance Company. It is a commentary on why artists with disabilities are still 'waiting in the wings'. The piece blends harmoniusly with Soutter's Living the unDesireable Life, that is about questions and the possibility of answers; the right to a voice; loving our bodies; rejection and belonging; and the risk of applying binaries (disabled/non disabled, woman/man, queer/straight, valuable/worthless) to ourselves and to others.
As complex human animals we all share many things, including the desire to live our lives fully and how we wish.
‘Waiting in the Wings No More’ is presented at Betty Oliphant Theatre by The Disability Collective, within FFDN's 2024 annual festival program, with support from Fall for Dance North.
View the Playbill for this program
CHOREOGRAPHERS:
Renata Soutter
In 2007, Renata co-founded Propeller Dance with Alan Shain and Shara Weaver, motivated to change the dance world by creating meaningful performances including people with disabilities. Her tenure finished in 2024 as Artistic Executive Director. During her time Propeller grew into a thriving mid-sized arts organization, recognized nationally and internationally. Renata’s prolific career is highlighted in ‘Flesh and Spokes’ and ‘Living the unDesirable Life’; these works were presented at The National Gallery of Canada, NAC’s Canada Scene, GCTC, and DanceWorks. She developed collaborations with StopGap UK, Ordinary Wand Korea, All Bodies Dance, and was co-chair of Somerset Gladstone Arts Hub.
Lucy Bennett
Immersed in Stopgap’s work since 2003, Lucy blends and expands the dynamic interaction of distinctly different dancers. As a choreographer Lucy has created many original dance productions for international touring including indoor, outdoor, and digital productions such as Tracking, SPUN Productions, Artificial Things, Bill & Bobby, The Seafarers, The Enormous Room, The Road, and FROCK. Lucy won ‘Best Screen Choreography’ at DanceScreen 2019.
Lucy, alongside Stopgap colleagues, has developed Stopgap’s creative learning programme and has supported Stopgap becoming world renowned for their inclusive choreographic and teaching practice leading residencies throughout the UK, Asia, Europe, and Scandinavia.
Operating funders for this presentation/company was provided by Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, TD Ready Commitment and City of Ottawa.
Funding partners for ‘Waiting in the Wings No More’: National Arts Centre and Great Canadian Theatre Company