Although the AXIS Dance Company and The Dancing Wheels are both integrated dance companies, they do have some differences. Most notable is the range of difference found in the AXIS company. Their dancers are not just able bodied or in regular manual wheelchairs. Some of them are in power-chairs, some are amputees that use crutches, others are supported by braces. They are all amazing to watch.
AXIS was created by founder Thais Mazur in 1987 in Oakland,California. He brought his contemporary dance pieces to audiences around the world and encouraged the spread of the art-form. Since 2001 the company has been directed by Judith Smith. She became disabled at 17 and threw herself into learning contact improv. This lead to her being a founding member of AXIS. She has collaborated with many choreographers to give the company a wide range of performance options.
AXIS also has an educational program called Dance Access. They go to schools and other events to teach the public about integrated dance and to show children and teens that they can do anything they put their mind to.
The following piece, danced by the AXIS Dance Company is what made me choose to do a blog on this topic. I found it late one night and couldn't stop watching it over and over again.
Here is another...
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