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At Azara Ballet, dancers aren’t expected to make eye contact with the directors and choreographers. If company members need an impromptu break from the harsh stage lights during rehearsal, they take one. They also receive clear directions about hair and makeup well in advance of performances.
The priority at Azara is dancers’ health. Founded in 2022 by the dancers Kate Flowers and Martin Roosaare, who are both autistic (and are a married couple), the company, which is based in Sarasota and Bradenton, Fla., is a haven for neurodivergent performers.
“When I am dancing,” Flowers said, “as long as it’s in a good environment and a safe space, the expression through nonverbal movement is something that helps me a lot.”
Azara addresses a gap in the dance world: the need for spaces where people who have autism, A.D.H.D. or other conditions that fall under the broad term “neurodivergent” can freely experience the art form.
In recent years, a deep connection has been found between dance and neurological conditions. Many researchers, artists, and performing arts organizations agree that dance complements the strengths that come with being autistic, while also aiding in the integration of neurodivergent children.
Most dancers with autism mentioned the importance of structure and movement in their expressive processes. Music and dance had helped them to focus and provided a sense of security.
Several studies have recently investigated the use of dance by individuals with certain neurological conditions like autism, down syndrome, Tourette’s disorder, and motor disorders. Additionally, dance has helped people with different levels of expertise and abilities share a common thread, fostering self-expression and camaraderie through the universal experience of dance and music.
Flowers and her partner, a neurodiverse individual, set out to give people with intellectual and developmental disorders a platform from which to develop their skills while providing a valuable and inclusive forum for artistic creativity and self-realization.
Several neurodiversity-friendly theatrical productions have aimed to create safer, more embracing environments for its audiences. Notably, during these performances, audience members who may have auditory or sensory-processing difficulties are frequently offered sensory accommodations such as, for instance, noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, or flexible seating arrangements with a designated neurodiverse staff member.
More research is focused on the psychological benefits of such productions, recognizing that they open doors for all participants, staff, and consumers to engage productively and have their voices understood.
In its sensory-friendly adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast,” the Lyric Opera made sure that visual descriptions of scenic and costume materials were provided with audio descriptions beforehand. The result was a spectacular production that enabled everyone to savor the stunning visual elements during the performance itself.
In such ways, through a combination of creative and informative efforts, new and innovative partnerships can be expected to emerge soon, fostering collaborative opportunities for participants and staff throughout the arts network.
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