Inclusion in the Arts Still Isn’t the Norm. We’re Dancing Toward Change
By Lexi Keskeys, C2D NYC
I’ve always believed that the arts are meant for everyone. That’s the point, right? Art is about expression, connection, and sharing something real. And yet, even in New York City — a place celebrated as the cultural capital of the world — true inclusion in the performing arts still feels like the exception, not the rule.
That’s why Chance 2 Dance exists: to be part of the movement changing that narrative. Every time our dancers step into class or take the stage, we’re working toward a world where people with disabilities don’t just have to fight for space in the arts — they’re welcomed, celebrated, and centered from the start.
A Front Row Reminder at Lincoln Center
The other night, I had the privilege of attending an inclusive one-night-only performance of Waitress the Musical at Lincoln Center, a cultural establishment that over the decades has made its mission to champion “arts for all” with focus on highlighting underserved artists, “pay-what-you-wish” performances, community engagement and accessible venues. This wasn’t just any version of Waitress — it was a production by Deaf Broadway, their fifth at the Lincoln Center. It was beautiful, bold, and unlike anything I’d ever seen.
What struck me most was not just the talent on stage, but the thoughtfulness of the entire event. For once, the design of the performance didn’t treat deaf audience members as an afterthought. Instead, they were front and center — quite literally. The front rows were reserved for deaf attendees and there were creative, beautifully integrated captions projected perfectly in time with live ASL signing that took place throughout the performance. It felt like the show was truly for everyone in the room, not just for a “typical” audience with some accommodations tacked on.
It made me wonder: What would our arts culture look like if inclusion wasn’t the exception, but the baseline?
Too often, traditional performance spaces prioritize the typical audience and accommodate disabled patrons second, if at all. But this show was a powerful reminder that, with intention and creativity, accessibility doesn’t just work, it can elevate the entire experience.
Breaking Barriers on Broadway
As I sat in the audience, I also thought about the trailblazers who’ve made space on stage for themselves and others, defying stereotypes in industries that weren’t built with them in mind.
Take Ali Stoker, for example — a performer who made history in 2015 as the first wheelchair user to debut on Broadway in Spring Awakening. Then, just four years later, she became the first wheelchair user to win a Tony Award for her stunning performance in Oklahoma!. Her presence on Broadway sent a powerful message: disabled performers belong here, not in spite of their disability, but as their full, authentic selves.
That same production of Spring Awakening that launched Ali’s Broadway career also starred the incredible Marlee Matlin, a deaf actress and longtime advocate for deaf performers in theater, film, and television. Her advocacy work has opened doors for so many others and continues to challenge the industry’s standards of who gets to be seen and heard.
Most recently, Broadway made another historic step in 2023 with How to Dance in Ohio, the first show to feature an entire cast of actors with autism. The production was both groundbreaking and deeply human, showcasing stories that reflected the real-life experiences of its cast. It was honest. It was moving. And it proved, yet again, that inclusive casting doesn’t limit storytelling; rather, it enriches it.
Moving Forward, Together
Each of these performances, artists, and productions have helped move the needle toward a more inclusive arts world. But there’s still so much work to do.
At Chance 2 Dance, we see firsthand the creativity, talent, and joy our dancers bring to the stage. They deserve the same opportunities to shine, to be taken seriously, and to be celebrated for everything they are. We believe that inclusive arts aren’t just better for students with disabilities… they’re better for everyone.
As Disability Pride Month comes to a close; here’s to continuing the work. To filling more front rows. To raising more curtains. To making sure the next generation of dancers, actors, singers, and storytellers know there’s a space for them, just as they are.
Chance 2 Dance is proud to be part of this movement. And we’re just getting started. And, who knows … maybe the next rising star to someday grace a Broadway stage will take their first dance lesson with us here at C2D!
Interested in exploring accessible dance? At C2D, we offer sensory-friendly studios and a variety of class options — including group classes, private lessons, and our signature MoveZ® Dance program — all designed to be inclusive, adaptive, and welcoming for every body.
We offer sensory-friendly studios and several class options including, group classes, private lessons, and our MoveZ® Dance program to provide inclusive and adaptive options for everyone.