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.
-
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.
-
LIZ WINKELAAR
As well as being a founding member of Ghost Rooster, Liz Winkelaar is a dancer with Propeller Dance Company, for whom she choreographed Spasticus, a piece that has become a staple in the company’s repertoire. She has also choreographed work for a solo dancer and a duet, in which she was one of the dancers. She performed with TAKE UP SPACE in 2022 and has created work with Persian dancer Maria Saba. Liz is the first certified North American Gyrokinesis© teacher using a wheelchair. She loves being with the other Ghost Roosters—exploring, transforming, soaring, and laughing.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.