Robby Lee Williams
Robby Lee Williams (he/him) is a Black/Latiné wheelchair dancer in Chicago. His dance practice is driven by explorations in connection with others and a drive to help build community practice. Robby has had the privilege to learn about and work with artists in Chicago's disability arts communities. Dancing tango and swing before acquiring his disability, Robby was previously unaware of the history and work already put in progress by his new peers.
Through Chicago's Inclusive Dance Festival, he was able to meet people in the community and learn of the ongoing work in physically-integrated dance. Robby began dancing with MOMENTA Dance Company and Tango 21 Dane Theater, as well as teaching with ReinventAbility at the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education. The mentorship and dance opportunities with these groups led to a fellowship with 3Arts/Bodies of Work, giving Robby further education on disability justice and advocacy in the U.S. and in performing arts. In care for their dancers, Tango 21 Dance Theater attended workshops to better inform themselves on how to approach inclusive practices, techniques, and accessibility. With that experience, they helped Robby develop techniques to transpose tango to a variety of bodies and research wheelchair modifications. Robby is also a part of the artist collective Unfolding Disability Futures – a grassroots collective of disabled, sick, and neurodivergent artists.
Within these communities, Robby continues his pursuit of work that enriches connection with other people and uplifts the communities that he is privileged to be a part of.
Atlas, 2023. Choreographed by Sarah Cullen Fuller, set by Caitlin Dyer and Syndney Osborne, performed with Tatiana CastanĚeda
Featured Artworks
Unfolding Disability Futures, Choreographed by Alison Kopit.
Am I My Pain? (Ensemble) 2021.
Image by Paul Park Productions
A Memory of Joy, 2022.
Filmed for 3Arts Annual Gala in collaboration with Genevieve Ramos, Connor Cornelius, Liz Sung, and Stephan Mazurek
Image by Liz Sung Productions.
Papillon, 2020.
Duet In C, 2019.
Choreographed by Sarah Najera, Coached by Kris Lenzo, Performed with Julia Cox Haptonstahl.
Image by The Chicago Lighthouse.