Inclusive dance classes provide a welcoming space where people of all abilities can move, create, connect and express themselves. At Restless Dance Theatre, our inclusive contemporary dance classes are designed for disabled, neurodivergent and non-disabled participants aged 4 and above.
Since 1991, Restless Dance Theatre has used dance as a way to bring people together, celebrate individuality and create opportunities for people to discover their creative potential.
Our weekly public dance classes provide a safe, social and creative environment where participants can explore movement, develop dance skills, build confidence and form meaningful friendships.
Inclusive dance classes are dance programs designed to welcome people with different abilities, experiences, communication styles and movement preferences.
Rather than expecting every participant to learn in exactly the same way, inclusive dance adapts to the individual. Participants are encouraged to explore movement at their own pace, contribute their ideas and find their own ways of expressing themselves.
At Restless, we believe everyone has creative potential.
Our classes place less emphasis on competition or achieving a particular physical technique and more emphasis on creativity, self-expression, participation and connection.
The result is a dance environment where participants can be themselves, try new things and discover what they are capable of.
Inclusive dance can provide benefits across physical, creative, emotional, intellectual and social development.
Physical benefits
Dance encourages participants to explore how their bodies move and develop greater awareness of movement.
Depending on the individual, participating in dance can support:
Our tutors adapt activities to individual abilities and access requirements, allowing participants to participate in ways that work for them.
Creative and artistic benefits
Dance is more than learning steps.
At Restless, participants are encouraged to generate ideas, experiment with movement and turn their own ideas into dance. This process stimulates imagination and creativity while helping participants discover their individual artistic voice.
Participants can:
At Restless, the student’s ideas become dance.
Confidence and self-expression
An inclusive dance environment can provide opportunities for participants to take risks, try something new and experience success in a supportive setting.
Over time, participants can develop greater confidence in expressing themselves, sharing ideas and participating alongside others.
Restless classes encourage authentic self-expression rather than asking participants to conform to one particular way of moving or dancing.
Social connection and belonging
For many participants, one of the most important parts of an inclusive dance class is being part of a community.
Our classes create opportunities to:
Restless classes are designed to be places where participants feel welcomed, valued and included.
Learning and cognitive development
Dance involves imagination, memory, sequencing, problem-solving and decision-making.
Through creative movement activities, participants can develop skills including:
The creative process allows participants to learn through doing, experimenting and discovering.
Inclusive dance for people with disability and neurodivergent people
Restless Dance Theatre welcomes participants with physical and intellectual disability, as well as neurodivergent participants.
Our experienced tutors take an individual approach and can adapt activities to support different access needs.
We recognise that every participant is different. Some people may benefit from additional communication support, changes to activities, different ways of participating or adjustments to the physical environment.
Our goal is not to make everyone dance in the same way. It is to create an environment where everyone can participate.
If you have questions about whether a Restless class is suitable for you or your child, we encourage you to contact us to discuss individual access requirements.
Inclusive dance classes for children and young people
Our classes begin from age 3 and provide opportunities for children and young people to develop confidence, creativity and social connections through dance.
Rather than focusing on competition or perfecting a particular dance technique, Restless encourages children to explore movement and discover their own creative ideas.
For young participants, this can be an opportunity to:
Inclusive dance classes for adults
Inclusive dance isn’t just for children.
Restless offers classes for young adults and adults, creating opportunities for participants to continue dancing, creating and connecting throughout their lives.
Our classes provide a regular social and creative activity where adults can develop their skills, meet people and continue exploring their artistic potential.
For some participants, Restless can also provide a pathway into further artistic training and professional opportunities.
Restless Dance Theatre is Australia’s leading force in inclusive contemporary dance.
Our public classes have been running in Adelaide since 1991, making them one of Australia’s longest-running inclusive contemporary dance programs.
Our approach has developed from more than three decades of working alongside disabled, neurodivergent and non-disabled artists and participants.
Our methodology is based on collaboration, creativity and the belief that individual differences can be a source of artistic strength.
Participants are encouraged to:
Create — develop their own ideas and movement.
Explore — experiment without the pressure of getting everything “right”.
Connect — build relationships through shared creative experiences.
Express — communicate through movement in their own way.
Perform — celebrate their development and creativity with an audience.
Each semester, Restless classes are centred around a professional work from our repertoire.
Participants have the opportunity to develop their own creative responses to the work throughout the semester, culminating in our annual showcases for friends, family and supporters.
These performance experiences provide a chance to celebrate each participant’s growth in a supportive environment.
“I really appreciate what Restless Dance Theatre has done for my son. He thoroughly loves being part of Junction. He has shown talents that were hidden and is developing friendship outside of his time with Restless.” — Virginia Dolphin, parent
“Absolutely fabulous performances as always. Wonderful to see the progress over time.” — Ingrid, grandparent
Restless Dance Theatre currently offers inclusive dance classes at locations across South Australia, including:
Additional locations and programs may be available on request.
Our studios and class venues have accessible entrances, bathrooms and parking. We also work with participants and families to understand individual access requirements.
Looking for an inclusive dance class near you? Explore our current class locations and find a program that suits your age, interests and access needs.
Restless Dance Theatre is not a registered NDIS provider, but many participants use their NDIS funding to access our programs.
Our public classes align with the Social and Community Participation category and may be funded through Core Supports, depending on an individual’s NDIS plan and circumstances.
As public classes, Restless programs are open to everyone, whether or not they receive NDIS funding.
If you are unsure whether your funding can be used for a Restless class, we recommend discussing your individual circumstances with your plan manager, support coordinator or NDIS representative.
Restless Dance Theatre’s public classes are open to people aged 3 and above, with programs designed for different age groups.
Our classes welcome:
You do not need to be an experienced dancer to join.
What matters most is a willingness to explore, create and have fun.
Whether you are looking for an inclusive dance class for your child, a social dance activity for a young person or an accessible creative program for an adult, Restless Dance Theatre offers opportunities to dance, connect and create in a supportive environment.
Come and discover what you can do.
Email: admin@restlessdance.org
Phone: +61 8 8212 8495
Visit: Kaurna Country
195 Gilles St, Adelaide SA 5000
