ABOUT US
Ghost Rooster Collective was born out of a shared vision to elevate disabled artists in the arts and foster an environment where accessibility is central to the creative process. Founded in 2021 by artists Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson, Rachel Gray, Amelia Griffin, Jess Huggett, and Liz Winkelaar, the collective combines over 70 years of professional experience in dance, choreography, animation, visual arts, film, puppetry, and podcasting. Our collective efforts reflect our commitment to the Disability Arts movement, aiming to create work that is not only artistically rich but also inclusive and accessible.
As a professional collective of disabled artists, Ghost Rooster is dedicated to expanding the representation of disability within the arts, especially in the fields of film and dance. We work independently, beyond the confines of specific disability programs, to challenge traditional artistic norms and explore new ways of storytelling. Our work is grounded in the belief that access and creative leadership are not only essential but are powerful catalysts for innovation and growth within the arts community.
Through our projects, we continue to foster a culture of accessibility, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression while creating work that is contemporary, wild, humorous, and sincere.
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RACHEL GRAY
Rachel Gray is a Canadian interdisciplinary artist based in Ottawa. Working as a writer, visual artist, and filmmaker, Rachel specializes in creating accessible art that blends dance, animation, costume design, puppetry, and visual media to tell complex stories. Her artistic practice explores themes of deep time, the consciousness of the natural world, and the potential of interdisciplinary storytelling. Rachel's work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, and she has collaborated with a wide range of artists, academics, and medical researchers. Her leadership roles include serving as the Executive Director at BEING Studio and co-founding several arts collectives.
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LIZ WINKELAAR
Liz is one of the original Ghost Roosters from the time when, to stay connected in the pandemic, a group of disabled artists started sharing dreams, interpreting them, and giving them artistic form.
She has danced with The Propeller Dance Company since its inception. In 2006, she was one of the first recipients of the company’s Emerging Choreographers Award. Her first choreographed work, Spasticus, has gone through many iterations and is now a staple of the repertoire. For five years, as Artistic Lead, Liz served on the executive of the company. In that role, she contributed to strategic planning, mentored and supported other dancers, and organized classes for the company with Canadian and international teachers, choreographers, and dance and theatre companies. She is still active in its long-term planning and day-to-day operations.
She has worked with Persian dancer Maria Saba, choreographed work that was performed by Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson at Dark Horse Dance Projects in 2022, and choreographed a duet, GUST, that she danced with Elizabeth in ODD’s Dance Series 10 in 2023. Liz collaborated with TAKEUP SPACE as a performer in W(WE) in 2022. Liz is the first certified North American Gyrokinesis teacher using a wheelchair. She often is seen at the NAC working with Sioned Watkins in the Arts Alive programme, bringing accessible movement practices to new communities. Liz loves working with the other Ghost Roosters—delving, transforming, soaring.
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ELIZABETH EMOND-STEVENSON
Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson is a franco-ontarian dance artist from traditional unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory (Orléans ON). Under the name TAKE UP SPACE she creates connections between people/places/artforms from inclusive, intersectional feminist perspectives. She has performed across Canada and worked with artists and companies from many disciplines. She lives with neurodiversity.
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JESS HUGGETT
Member Emeritus
Jess Huggett is a dancer and choreographer with Down syndrome and a brain injury. She is a member of Propeller Dance Company and has appeared with them and other companies over the past 15 years. She has received grants for her work from the City of Ottawa, Ontario Arts Council, and the Canada Council for the Arts. Her most recent project–What Connects Us–brought all the artists in this collective together and was the impetus for this new collective and project.
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AMELIA GRIFFIN
Member Emeritus
Amelia Griffin is a contemporary dance artist, and identifies as a Mad artist. She has been an independent contemporary dancer and choreographer since 2006. She is passionate about dance as a non-verbal means of community connection and understanding different perspectives. She has toured internationally, and studied Disability in dance and inclusive choreography in the UK.