“All are equal here”

The “Small theater” dance group is the only one in Armenia where dancers with and without disabilities are onstage together. The band was created based on the model of the British Candoco Dance Company, with support from the British Council. Vahan Badalyan, the theater’s Artistic Director, states that inclusive performance helps young people with disabilities and promotes their socialization.

“We have a huge problem in Armenia. You can’t meet a person with disabilities on the street or in public transportation, let alone onstage. Many people with disabilities have never been to the theater at all, and here they perform onstage themselves. Besides that, dancing is physically very advantageous for our bodies, it opens the pliability and flexibility of the body and brings new opportunities. Manuk was an example for us: he had a physical disabilities but after a year of trainings and rehearsals he walks firmly and steadily. For us as creative professionals it’s interesting, we create new movements and steps to dance.” Mr. Badalyan added that the tasks and requirements are the same for everyone in the theater, and that everyone must work as a professional. “People with disabilities are not disadvantaged and everyone is equal here,” concluded Mr. Badalyan.

Full text in Armenian