PRESS RELEASE: Inclusive Arts: Challenging stereotypes as a woman with disability through dance

Choreographed and performed by Bonnie Curtis, Limits challenges audiences to confront how disability influences our ideas of beauty in a world obsessed with perfection.

Sabotaged by her internal limitations, the performance is a manifestation of her insecurity and self-hate as it unfolds on stage.

Described as, “outrageous, comedic and thought-provoking” by Sydney Arts Guide, Bonnie draws on her own experiences with invisible disability and functional impairment to create the powerful performance.

Recorded in June 2021 at The Flying Nun, Limits, has been released with captions and audio descriptions for people with vision and hearing impairments.

The aim is to remove barriers for audiences with disabilities to enjoy the performance and engage in the discussion.

For Bonnie, making the work accessible to people with disability is about inviting them to join the conversation. “They’re a key part of the work and without their voices, we’re only getting one side of the picture,” Bonnie said.
She has personal experience with how these perceptions can impact and harm people. “There’s this idea that dancers can’t have a disability because they can’t dance, and to be a woman with a disability is to be some kind of hideous creature. Unfeminine. Unwomanly. That’s the idea behind making the work (Limits). To express the other side that people don’t see at first glance.”

Research shows the importance of online accessibility for disabled audiences. A 2017 survey by Australia Council for the Arts found more Australians with disability creatively participate in the arts (61%) than people without disability (41%).
And while current lockdowns have shut down access across much of New South Wales and Victoria, the data from PatternMakers (March 2021), says
– people with disability are now less comfortable attending in-person events (35%, compared with 50%)
– disabled audiences are more likely to participate online (57%, compared to 46%), and
– online events are preferred format for disabled audience (19%, compared to 8%).

Yet, accessibility challenges online are a common barrier for attendance.

Performing arts companies like Bonnie Curtis Projects are trying to change this.

Kate Maguire-Rosier, dance theatre and disability performance researcher at the University of Sydney agrees it’s important.
“For audiences and the sake of art itself, ensuring live performance is accessible to Deaf and disabled people is key. Being able to access art otherwise not only makes it more equitable for both makers and spectators alike, it adds a richness and depth to the artmaking process and performer/spectator experience. Access is not simply about disability rights, or even a duty of care, it lies at the heart of creativity itself. Bonnie Curtis’ solo work, Limits On-Demand with captions and audio-description constitutes a political act that highlights access as artistic resource.”

Limits (on demand) is available until December 31 from Brand X website: www.bit.ly/limitsondemand

This project has been created with the support of Annandale Creative Arts Centre, Arts on Tour with the NSW Government through Create NSW as part of Arts Restart, Brand X, City of Sydney, Create NSW, Critical Path, DirtyFeet, March Dance and the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, provided through Regional Arts Australia, and in NSW through Regional Arts NSW.
Originally performed as part of Brand X’s The Flying Nun Program on June 18-19, 2021.

For media enquiries please contact Bonnie Curtis on 0420 308 221 or [email protected].
Bonnie Curtis is available for further comment and interview.

Images: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NrFNLd_4LthNBZW1Wk71_q7ydDDOQ4lx?usp=sharing
Audio Described Promotional Video: https://youtu.be/Wl1hGwbL8m4
Downloadable Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10YYK_fUUThNZ-UQevpUEPA8BBwcbTvi9/view?usp=sharing

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