AXIS Dance Company

AXIS redefines dance & disability.

Kinematic / Kinesthetic

Performances May 8 & 10 at Exploratorium, May 21 at Stanford University

Kinematic/Kinesthetic is a groundbreaking work that integrates emerging and existing technologies to expand movement potential for both disabled and non-disabled dancers. Watch as AXIS Dance Company pushes the boundaries of dance technology through the use of dynamic mobility devices, including telescoping crutches and robotic hexapod legs developed by engineering students at Carnegie Mellon and University of Maryland working with multidisciplinary artist Ben Levine. Journey to the intersection of art, disability, and access technology in this captivating performance.

In the foreground, AXIS Dancer JanpiStar lies backwards and belly-forwards on top of their manual wheelchair, holding one arm on the ground as they twist their torso upwards to extend one long, silver telescoping crutch into the air. Behind them, Alaja mirrors this gesture by placing one telescopic crutch on the ground; using this to support their weight as they lift one leg up into a high arabesque that is parallel to Janpi’s crutch.

Performances

Thursday, May 8, 2025 
Exploratorium, San Francisco 
Performance at 7PM
Panel Discussion at 8PM (ASL Interpretation)
Part of Exploratorium’s After Dark Thursday Nights, for ages 18+

Tickets Available Soon

Saturday, May 10, 2025
Exploratorium, San Francisco 
Performances at 12PM (ASL Interpretation) and 3PM (Audio Description)

Tickets Available Soon

Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Stanford Live, Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University
Performance at 7:30PM, including a special performance by choreographer & roboticist Dr. Catie Cuan
Followed by a panel discussion moderated by Sydney Skybetter, director of Brown Arts Institute and associate professor of Theatre Arts and Performance Studies (TAPS)
ASL Interpretation Provided, Audio Description to be confirmed.

Buy Tickets

“With Kinematic/Kinesthetic, we aim to push the boundaries of movement by blending technology with dance, unlocking new possibilities for both disabled and non-disabled dancers to move, connect, and express themselves in ways we never imagined.”
– AXIS Artistic Director Nadia Adame

Created with funding from a Hewlett Foundation 50 Arts Commission.

All photos by Rob Suguitan, with dancers JanpiStar, Alaja Badalich, Julie Hasushi, & Tebandeke Joseph

Image Description: AXIS Dancers Julie and Alaja lean forward as they each hold out one silver, triangular telescoping crutch. Julie sits in her manual wheelchair; Alaja places one knee down in a lunge. Behind them, Tebandeke balances on his two crutches as he lifts one leg into a high arabesque; his other leg points towards the ground.

Support AXIS

Donate now to help AXIS redefine dance and disability. We thank you for your dedication to the transformative power of dance and inclusion.

Donate    |    Become a Corporate Sponsor