UDF at The Plant, 2022

The Vision

Unfolding Disability Futures is a multi-organization, site-specific dance and visual art event organized by local disabled artists and held throughout The Plant, a former meatpacking facility in the Back of the Yards/New City Neighborhood. Over the past decade, this space has been revitalized to center the importance of sustainable agriculture and community collaboration. Unfolding Disability Futures embraces the importance of sustainability and community care in artistic practice. Performances and installations unfold throughout the space, highlighting how The Plant has been redeveloped to make the building accessible in ways that are both functional and beautiful, proposing access not as a drain but a plentiful resource in and of itself.

What to Expect

Unfolding Disability Futures takes place over four events on June 4-5 & 11-12. Each performance cycle, audiences will be guided through The Plant in groups of ten, experiencing five original dance works set in various locations throughout the building, as well as the five visual artist spotlights. Performance cycles begin every half hour over the duration of all four events with a total of five performances per event. Each performance cycle runs about an hour. Thie set up is intended to build in the flexibility needed to respond to current COVID protocols to ensure the safety of audiences and dancers while simultaneously allowing audiences to fully experience the architecture, performances and visual art exhibits throughout The Plant.

Additionally, we will host a post-show artist talk after the final performance cycle concludes at 5pm on Sunday, June 5 and two community workshops in April 30 at 1:30pm and on May 15 at 3:30pm. 

Learn more about the workshops and register here.

Event Schedule

Events are scheduled for Saturday, June 4 & 11 with the first performance cycle beginning at 6:30pm and Sunday, June 5 & 12 with the first performance cycle beginning at 2pm. Full event and workshop schedule below with all times listed in Central Time Zone.

All events are free with a suggested donation of $10, unless noted otherwise. All donations will be used to supplement artists' stipends. All events, including workshops and artist talks, take place at The Plant. 

ASL interpreters will be available for all workshops and we plan to have designated performances with ASL interpreters (further info will be shared when tickets become available). More access info here.

Read more about The Plant and how to get there.

Dance with the artists at our Community Dance Workshops.

Saturday, June 4

Sunday, June 5 - ASL Interpreters available for all events

Saturday, June 11 - ASL Interpreters available for all events

Sunday, June 12