Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society

Spring Event

Friday, May 19th

7:30 - 9:30 PM

IN-PERSON

The Theater at Gibney
280 Broadway, Manhattan

Spring Event Co-Chairs: Anne McEneaney & Aziza Platt

REGISTRATION LINK BELOW

Dance Lesson: Using Dance to Lead Intersectionality and Anti-Ableism in our Groups

Group is an intricate dance between members and facilitators, identities and experiences, and the here-and-now. Intersectionality is a complex tango between discrimination, marginalization and social inequities. In this interactive event, attendees will experience the performance of ZCO/DANCEPROJECT which was founded and artistically directed by Zazel-Chavah O’Garra, MSW. Zazel, a brain tumor survivor, created this physically integrated dance company to encourage the integration and inclusion of people with disabilities in dance and in society. Relatedly, attendees will explore concepts of ableism and intersectionality, engage their embodied experience, and in experiential components explore how to choreograph their and members' steps toward including all aspects of members' identities, including ability status, in group.

Born and raised in New York City with Caribbean parentage, Zazel-Chavah O’Garra (she, her) is a dancer, choreographer, model, educator, social worker, disability advocate and Artistic Director of ZCO/DANCEPROJECT, a physically integrated dance company. Her work has been presented in theaters, public spaces and festivals including ADA 30, WESTFEST DANCEFESTIVAL, Judson Church, Dixon place theatre, Symphony Space, Cooper Hewitt Museum, 4^th International Festival of disability, ABILITIES EXPO, Theatre for the New City, as well as artist residencies at Downtown Brooklyn Arts residency, Fertile Ground at Greenspace, and ARTS4ALLFLORIDA. Zazel is the recipient of the City Arts Corp, Dance Advancement Fund, Flushing Town Hall/NYSCA grants and CUNY Dance Initiative. In 2022, Zazel was awarded the Caribbean Impact Award given which recognizes the achievements and contributions of outstanding individuals of Caribbean background who have created the most impact in their respective careers.
Before founding the ZCO/DANCEPROJECT, Zazel established a thriving career in the performing arts. Her body of work include performances on the concert stage, Off-Broadway,  Broadway,European Tours, national commercials and featured in runway, catalogues and Essence Magazine covers. Zazel holds a BFA from University of Michigan and an MSW from Fordham University. Zazel is a member of SAG-AFTRA,  Equity and is represented by Gamut Talent Management.