Building Intersectionality Through Movement: A Conversation with Ellice Patterson of Abilities Dance Boston

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Ellice Patterson, Founder and Executive & Artistic Director of Abilities Dance Boston (ADB), about their latest production, Intersections v4, and the deeper mission driving their work: using dance as a vehicle for visibility, advocacy, and systemic change.

As a company that centers disabled and BIPOC artists, ADB continues to push boundaries around who gets to be seen, heard, and celebrated in the arts. Their fourth installment of the Intersections series honored five Black trans and queer honorees whose lives and advocacy have made a lasting impact: Finn Gardiner, Aubrey Smalls, Harmony Matthews, T.S. Banks, and Tom Wiggins. Through original choreography by Ellice and music by ADB’s Director of Music & Operations, Andrew Choe, the production brought these stories to life in deeply moving and imaginative ways.

But Intersections v4 was more than a performance — it was a call to action. Partnering with fellow BWF grantee Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition and the Disability Policy Consortium, ADB grounded each performance in current legislation impacting queer and disabled communities. It became not just a space for art, but a space for mobilization.

In our conversation, Ellice shared what makes Intersections so much more than a stage production:

“These are real relationships, these are real connections that are built, it's not just an extractive relationship where we take their story, have a show and call it a day. But think about how we can continue to support them, support their work, continue to really build this advocacy movement beyond just the stage, but into our communities, into how we understand one another, into our policies, and how that can continue to lead to overall change that then leads to radical joy and a revolution overall.”

This ethos is central to Abilities Dance Boston. From choosing honorees with intention to connecting each narrative to real-time legislation, ADB’s work reflects a deep commitment to community, dignity, and long-term change.

At a time when many institutions are backing away from equity commitments, Abilities Dance Boston continues to move forward with clarity and compassion. Their work reminds us that liberation doesn’t live in the abstract — it’s built, moment by moment, relationship by relationship, movement by movement.

To learn more about Intersections v4  check out our interview below. And to support the transformative work ADB is doing year-round, visit @abilitiesdanceboston.

Interview with Dance Abilities