A Safe Space for Self-Expression

June 2, 2025

An Interview with Nalitari

BY EMMALY WIEDERHOLT

Nalitari is an inclusive dance organization based in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Established in 2013, it is considered the leading voice of inclusive dance in Indonesia. Here, Nalitari’s management team describes the company’s history, how it is growing, and how Nalitari makes dance accessible for all people. Additionally, several of Nalitari’s dancers share their personal experiences dancing with the organization.

Note: This interview was first published in Stance on Dance’s spring/summer 2025 print issue. To learn more, visit stanceondance.com/print-publication.

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Nalitari’s management team:

How did Nalitari get started?

Nalitari began in 2013 when a group of us came together in an inclusive dance workshop. Afterward, we recognized that although we each faced unique challenges in dance, our need was the same: a space to express ourselves without judgment or strict rules that might discourage anyone from joining. We started by inviting people in our network – some were mothers who had stopped dancing due to family responsibilities, others were dancers who hadn’t yet found a genre that suited them, and some were people with disabilities. At our first try-out event, more than 30 people gathered, and we delivered our initial workshop and performed in a street show on December 3rd. It poured rain, but everyone had a fantastic time. Regardless of background or dance ability, we connected through movement, and everyone felt accepted. That experience reinforced our belief that creating an inclusive dance space was important, so we moved forward with developing Nalitari. Our mission became clear: To provide a safe space for self-expression through dance and to promote a more inclusive society.

In 2015, after two years of exploration, we developed our own inclusive dance method. It starts with self-exploration and moves to building awareness of others and developing connection through dance. This method now shapes our performances and the workshops we offer.

How is Nalitari organized? What does the company offer in terms of workshops or performances?

Nalitari operates as a community-based organization where all management members and dancers have other primary jobs. This structure keeps Nalitari flexible and adaptive in managing both workshops and performances. Each request is communicated closely with our dancers, allowing us to coordinate schedules based on availability and specific requirements, such as the number of dancers, performance length, and location. By keeping an open line of communication, Nalitari maintains a supportive and safe space where everyone can express their preferences and comfort levels, allowing us to adapt to local, national, and international stages.

Nalitari offers two types of workshops:

Independent workshops: These are organized every two years to bring in new dancers. Participants from these workshops are then invited to perform in Nalitari’s exhibition show, providing them with a platform to showcase their growth and connect with the community.

Workshops by request: These are customized for external groups, such as schools or organizations, and vary in length from two-hour sessions to multi-day events.

All Nalitari’s workshops and performances are shaped by our inclusive dance method, developed in 2015. This method starts with self-exploration and progresses to building awareness of others and creating connection through dance, creating a supportive and inclusive experience.

How does Nalitari make dance accessible to people with disabilities?

Nalitari makes dance accessible to people with disabilities by creating a safe, inclusive space where each individual can move freely at their own comfort level. This approach includes providing time for participants to observe and feel comfortable without any immediate pressure to join. When they are ready, dancers are invited to participate in ways that feel right for them. For example, if a dance piece is themed around an intense emotion, such as grief, we communicate with dancers about their comfort levels and adjust the piece if necessary, allowing everyone to engage without discomfort.

In 2015, Nalitari developed a specific inclusive dance method that guides both our workshops and performances. This method begins with self-exploration, encouraging dancers to connect with their own movement style, then moves to building awareness of others and developing a sense of connection through dance. Additionally, Nalitari ensures that accessibility needs are met – such as providing sign language interpreters or accessible venues – so that all participants, regardless of ability, can fully engage in the experience.

What are some obstacles Nalitari has faced in terms of accessibility?

One major challenge has been external: Not everyone in Indonesia fully understands or prioritizes accessibility. For example, some dancers require a guardian’s presence, but event organizers may only budget for the dancer’s travel. Other times, dancers using wheelchairs or needing sign language interpreters perform at events where accessibility wasn’t planned for, so we sometimes need to change the dancer if those accessibility requirements cannot be met. Additionally, when considering accessibility, we also want to think about the audience. This aspect is often overlooked by many organizers when selecting a venue, leading them to miss budgeting for necessary accommodations like renting a ramp, providing a sign language interpreter, or arranging a whisperer for blind audience members. Although awareness is improving, we also still encounter tokenism, where organizers invite us only to check a box for inclusivity. To encourage genuine engagement, we ask to include a Q&A session with our dancers and ensure our mission is read before each performance, aiming to inspire real awareness in the audience.

How has Nalitari grown and evolved since it was founded in 2013?

Initially, our focus was simply on creating a safe, inclusive space. As we gathered people from all walks of life – individuals we see daily but rarely connect with on a deeper level – we found that these interactions dissolved prejudice and unconscious biases. The bonds we formed through dance and conversation became invaluable, revealing how inclusive spaces foster empathy and understanding. By 2015, we developed our own inclusive dance method, focusing on self-exploration, awareness of others, and building connections through movement, which now guides our workshops and performances. Today, our vision has grown: we aim to inspire positive changes in society’s attitudes toward diversity, promoting greater inclusivity and acceptance across all communities.

What’s next for Nalitari?

Over the past decade, we’ve seen that collaboration is at the heart of our work, driving our goals of empowering participants through high-quality, inclusive programs and promoting a more inclusive society. Looking ahead, we plan to build more collaborations, both within Indonesia and internationally. We’re always open to new partnerships, so if you’re interested in collaborating, feel free to reach out!

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Nalitari’s dancers:

How did you get involved with Nalitari?

Yoana: I first got involved with Nalitari when I joined an inclusive dance workshop. There, I met the founders of Nalitari and was invited to dance together. When I was invited to dance, I felt truly accepted as I was. In addition, I met people from various backgrounds and abilities, which made me feel comfortable. At Nalitari, I not only danced, but also developed self-confidence, self-acceptance, openness, and social interaction skills.

Wiwiet and Nadya (autistic): The first time I joined Nalitari was through a workshop in 2017 as I accompanied my daughter, Nadya. In that workshop, I was so happy because my daughter could move freely according to her body’s abilities. The Nalitari team and the other dancers were so caring toward children with special needs and treated them with equality.

Duta (intellectual disability, wheelchair user): I first joined Nalitari in 2013 when my dance teacher invited me to join Nalitari’s workshop. There, I learned to dance with incredible dancers. It was a valuable lesson for me because I experienced many new things since joining Nalitari. I made new friends and gained more confidence to socialize with people. I’m very happy to still be with Nalitari today.

Daisy and Andra (Down syndrome): My first involvement with Nalitari was during a joint practice in early 2018. At first, I was just accompanying my child, Andra, but then Nalitari made me feel comfortable enough to dance again, so eventually, both Andra and I became dancers at Nalitari. Nalitari truly feels like a welcoming home that helps build confidence.

Supriyana and Lutfi (Down syndrome): Lutfi first joined Nalitari in 2013 after her school dance teacher invited her because she loves dancing. As her companion, I am very happy with the positive changes in Lutfi – from being insecure to gaining more confidence when meeting many people. To this day, Lutfi is still active in Nalitari and has had many performance experiences with them.

Is there a performance with Nalitari that you’d like to share more about?

Wiwiet and Nadya (autistic): One memorable moment was the 2017 Exhibition Panca Kandha (Nalitari’s independent biannual performance), where Nadya performed for the first time and felt that Nalitari was the only dance community that fully welcomed children with limited movement abilities.

Daisy and Andra (Down syndrome): Among the performances with Nalitari, one of the most memorable was the Merdeka Carnival 2022, where Andra was one of only four dancers with disabilities out of 500 performers. Another memorable experience was when we both performed in Nalitari’s One Decade Show 2023.

Supriyana and Lutfi (Down syndrome): Every performance with Nalitari has been memorable because I always learn something new. In 2019, Lutfi had the opportunity to perform in Jakarta, marking her first trip out of town without a parent. In 2023, Lutfi was given the chance to participate in the Korea International Accessible Dance Festival in South Korea, her first experience traveling abroad.

What has been a highlight for you working with Nalitari?

Daisy and Andra (Down syndrome): What stands out most is how Nalitari accepts everyone without distinction, which makes us feel comfortable and welcomed, no matter our circumstances.

Supriyana and Lutfi (Down syndrome): At Nalitari, everyone is treated equally; there’s no difference between people with disabilities and those without. The family-like warmth and friendliness at Nalitari make us feel at home.

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To learn more, visit nalitari.org.