• By Abigail Henninger, founder of Magnum Opus Ballet
• Jan 1, 2019

For the sixth year, Cap Times reporters asked several Madisonians to share their “bright ideas” for the new year. We will publish the 2019 edition of Bright Ideas throughout the week and in print on Jan. 2.

Magnum Opus Ballet is partnering with GiGi’s Playhouse, a Down syndrome achievement center in Madison, to start an adaptive dance program. The first five-week session is for dancers 16 and older and starts Jan. 28.

I trained at Boston Ballet to create dance for people with all abilities — people who are autistic, someone who uses a wheelchair and beyond. Ballet class can be extremely strict, so we bring other elements and props, different ways to dance.

The goal is to introduce them to ballet, to expand their movement ability and expand their social skills. This time, we’re treating it as just a dance program class for five weeks. We’re really hoping to get a grant for this, for 2020 spring, to create an entire performance with GiGi’s and Magnum Opus.