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Over the course of a year, I've met and photographed the work of companies and non-profits dedicated to making performing arts inclusive of people of all abilities, in Montreal.

I've met professional dancers living with physical disabilities and professional actors living with intellectual deficiencies. I've met a band formed by men who are still homeless to this day. I've met people using theater to re-learn to communicate after a stroke that left them unable to properly speak. I've met dancers using their art to build connections and bring joy to patients with Alzheimer's. I've met a band of percussionists living on the spectrum or with Down syndrome. I've met high functioning autistic youth learning ballet and doing theater. And the list goes on.

These artists challenge the boundaries of performing arts, redefining codes and esthetics. And they do so at the margins of the world of arts because we still have a hard time accepting difference as part of the norm. This photographic project was produced in part by the Place des Arts, and was only made possible thanks to the companies, non-profits, and artists it features.

More info: mikaeltheimer.com | Instagram | Facebook | twitter.com

#1

These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

Mélanie Labelle and Joannie Douville from Corpuscule Danse.

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Missy DeSpain
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! JUST WOW! ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS CAPTURES!!! NICE JOB! CARRY ON

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    #2

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Marie-Hélène Bellavance and Georges-Nicolas Tremblay from Corpuscule Danse.

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    #3

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    B-Boy Luca "Lazylegz" Patuelli.

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    tjminderrose
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    😍😍 He's such an amazing activist for his community.

    #4

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Roya Hosni, Joannie Douville and Maxime D. Pomerleau from Corpuscule Danse.

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    Viviane Katz
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think I've seen Roya Hosni before. A few years ago, I saw an extraordinary one-legged dancer performing in the subway. She was acrobatic, using her crutches as part of her choreography. And yes, she seemed to be choreographing on the fly!

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    #5

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    During a dance party hosted by No Excuses No Limits movement, in a specialized school.

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    #6

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    A custom made percussion instrument by a member of the band Osmia, created in the music room of a homeless shelter.

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    #7

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    A dance workshop for children by Corpuscule Danse.

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    #8

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Patients with aphasia in the Théâtre Aphasique.

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    #9

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Georges-Nicolas Tremblay and Marie-Hélène Bellavance from Corpuscule Danse.

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    #10

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    A percussion band from the APPROSH project, at La Gang à Rambrou.

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    #11

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Benoit Lachambre and France Geoffroy from Corpuscule Danse.

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    #12

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    A performance by Atypik Bunch, a group of colorful artists of all abilities.

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    #13

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    A dance workshop for children by Corpuscule Danse.

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    #14

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    A performance by Atypik Bunch, a group of colorful artists of all abilities.

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    #15

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    A dance workshop for children by Corpuscule Danse.

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    #16

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Dancers from an urban dance class by the National Centre for Dance Therapy.

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    Batty
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, I'd love to see how they do it! I use a wheelchair & end up crashing into a wall if I try to do anything with my hands other than controlling my wheels. Must take a lot of practice & perfectly even floors!

    #17

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Professional dancer Elise Bergeron and a patient with Alzheimer's.

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    #18

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    From the show C'est là que l'on s'est connus, by Au Nom de la Danse.

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    #19

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Dancers from an urban dance class by the National Centre for Dance Therapy.

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    #20

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    A percussion band from the APPROSH project, at La Gang à Rambrou.

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    #21

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Actress Maxime D. Pomerleau in Guerilla de l'Ordinaire, by Théâtre de l'Affamée.

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    #22

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Inclusive choir performance at the Place des Arts

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    #23

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Benoit Lachambre and France Geoffroy from Corpuscule Danse.

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    #24

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    From a show played by actors struggling with mental health issues or loss of communication abilities, by the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde.

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    #25

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Rocio Vadillo and Luca "Lazylegz" Patuelli.

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    #26

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    An inclusive dance performance at the Place des Arts.

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    #27

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Patients with aphasia in the Théâtre Aphasique.

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    #28

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    From the show C'est là que l'on s'est connus, by Au Nom de la Danse.

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    #29

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    From the show C'est là que l'on s'est connus, by Au Nom de la Danse.

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    #30

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    The pianist from the band Osmia, created in the music room of a homeless shelter.

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    #31

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Gabrielle Marion-Rivard and Olivier Rousseau, in the show Cendres, by Productions des Pieds et des Mains.

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    #32

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Youth from Autisme Sans Limite dancing with the National Center for Dance Therapy.

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    #33

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Youth from Autisme Sans Limite performing with the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde.

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    #34

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Inclusive choir performance at the Place des Arts.

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    #35

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Patients with aphasia in the Théâtre Aphasique.

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    #36

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Mélanie Labelle, Bill Coleman and Maxime D. Pomerleau from Corpuscule Danse.

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    #37

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Youth from Autisme Sans Limite performing with the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde.

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    #38

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    Inclusive choir performance at the Place des Arts.

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    #39

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    The duo between a typical dancer and a dancer living with intellectual deficiency.

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    Chris DiFonso
    Community Member
    5 years ago

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    #40

    These Artists Proved That In Art, Disability Is Not A Thing

    A scene from the show Dis Merci, by Joe Jack and John.

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    K.P. Lynne
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is beautiful in every possible way! Thank you for posting!