“We Dance with our body and not despite our body” is the motto that inspires the work of Dançando com a Diferença. The company’s name means “Dancing with difference” and was founded in 2001 on the Portuguese island of Madeira by artistic director, Henrique Amoedo.
The company’s primary aim is to create high quality dance productions with people with different abilities. Over the past 21 years, and under the inspiring leadership of the dance pedagogue Henrique Amoedo, Dançando com a Diferença has gained national and international recognition. Through its work, which also includes formal and informal dance education at a community level, the company endeavors to break down the stigmas attached to people with other abilities and to promote social inclusion.
Dançando com a Diferença’s ambitious strategy is to move beyond the limiting boundaries of the dance/ability sector and to be accepted within the regular international performing arts scene. To achieve this, they frequently work with established national and international choreographers, that help to further push the boundaries towards inclusivity.
Together with Henrique Amoedo and select members of the company, you are invited to share the dreams, passions and practices that underline Dançando com a Diferença, in a workshop where each person will be taught to explore their own bodily limitations and interact with one another’s limitations too. Like in the company motto, a safe space will be established, where we shall dance with our body, not despite of it.