Guest Blog: 'I Guarantee It's an Event Not to Be Missed': Dancer & Choreographer Joe Powell-Main on Inclusion & Representation in Upcoming Dance Gala EMPOWER IN MOTION

It has been over a year since Ross Freddie Ray approached me about the Gala, Empower in Motion. The prospect of having a dance celebration featuring dancers of all different abilities alongside some well-known classical ballet stars… I knew I had to be part of it!

After a year of information about the gala slowly being released in a public forum, this special performance event is now in sight, and I honestly cannot wait!

I first crossed paths with Ross in 2009 through The Royal Ballet School, but after acquiring my disability, I distanced myself from dance as it was just too painful for me to even think about the world I had once been part of.

When I did return to dance with a new ability, I began to research different choreographers and artists who might be interested in working with me. That is how I came back into contact with Ross. A full circle moment!

The gala performance is particularly significant for me as it showcases something that I have fought for, having leading classical dancers alongside artists and companies from the inclusive dance world featured together, with all dancers showcased on the same level.

I have mainly worked in environments where I have been the only disabled dancer in the room, working in this way planted many seeds for new choreographic ideas, which I have particularly enjoyed. However there have been a small minority of choreographers or directors that I have worked with in the past who have perpetually pushed the narrative that a dancer like me is not as capable as others or is a health and safety hazard.

I pushed to fight against these stereotypes, but they did severely damage my confidence. I questioned whether I belonged in the dance industry. That all changed when I had the fantastic experience of my first collaboration with the Royal Ballet for the Paralympic Homecoming Ceremony in September of 2021. This positive experience made me realise that there was a whole world of possibilities in the dance world that I was eager to explore.  

I don’t think I would have had the confidence to push forward as freelancer if I hadn’t had the amazing opportunity of working on different collaborations with The Royal Ballet. These opportunities really pushed me to believe in myself and I now like myself as a dancer again, after struggling with this during some of those confidence damaging experiences.

It is extremely special that I will be performing The Sleepwalker at the gala, which is a piece that was developed from collaborating with the Royal Ballet. The experience of working with the many different creatives involved in this project is something that I won’t forget in a hurry, and it is part of what made this experience so special.

I am also very excited to be welcoming Hannah Rudd on board as my partner for the Gala, she like me trained at The Royal Ballet School, but she then danced for Rambert Dance Company. She has recently worked on projects with both of the Royal Ballet companies. I am looking forward to discovering new possibilities with her within the existing choreography.

I will also be performing a solo piece that I am choreographing.  I am still developing this currently, but I can tell you it is going to feature high energy drama.

I can’t wait to share the stage with so many amazing artists and hopefully show the audiences the different ways that dance can be represented.

I can guarantee it is an event not to be missed!

Empower in Motion – A Ballet Inclusive takes place at Sadler's Wells on 7 February. 

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