A world-first live dance performance, defying the limits of ALS.
Waves of Will is a groundbreaking live performance created by Dentsu Lab in collaboration with NTT Human Informatics Laboratories, allowing professional dancer Breanna Olson, who lives with ALS, to perform live on stage through a mixed-reality avatar controlled entirely by her brainwaves.
Breanna and her brother Casey began ballet dancing together at a young age. She was the older sibling and took him to ballet lessons. Her dance interests includes flamenco, salsa, and bachata 💃🕺
At some point, Breanna shifted away from pursuing ballet professionally and focused on other parts of her life.
In October 2023 Breanna was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
She describes the onset of symptoms: during a hike in 2022 she experienced heavy legs and a “walking through mud” feeling. Later she developed “foot drop” (loss of control of her left foot) which led to further tests and eventual diagnosis.
Breanna has expressed that one of her purposes now is to raise awareness for ALS and motor neuron diseases and to help others facing similar challenges.
Yet, on December 10th Breanna Olson performed a groundbreaking live dance at the OBA Theatre Amsterdam. A world-first live dance performance, defying the limits of ALS.
A fusion of brainwave technology and human expression, exploring a new frontier of the moving arts.
Client: NTT
Agency: Dentsu Lab
Press coverage:
BBC - Dancer with MND performs on stage again through digital avatar
LBB - Paralysed ex-professional dancer reclaims stage thanks to technology translating her brainwaves into dance moves
Yahoo! - The innovation that helps a ballerina with degenerative desease dance again
Awards:
Golden Award of Montreux 2026
🥇 Gold — Ethical & Responsible Use of AI
🥇 Gold — Interface & Navigation
Clio Health 2026
🥈 Silver — Innovation: Early-Stage Prototype Innovation
🥈 Silver — Film: Five Minutes and Over
🥉 Bronze — Branded Entertainment & Content: Diversity in Storytelling
🥉 Bronze — Health Equity
ADFEST 2026 — Lotus Awards
🥇 Gold — Design Lotus: Inclusive Design
🥇 Gold — Design Lotus: Innovative Design
🥇 Gold — Digital Craft Lotus: User Interface (UI)
🥇 Gold — Digital Craft Lotus: Use of Technology
Spikes Asia 2026
🥉 Bronze — Digital Craft
📋 Shortlist — Societal Innovation
ADCN 2026
🥉 Bronze — Advertising A06: Entertainment
📋 Finalist — Advertising A04: Digital
📋 Finalist — Next N03: Impact
Cannes Lions 2026 (nog niet op je site, check of toevoegen)
📋 Shortlist — Societal Innovation
One Show 2026 (nog niet op je site, check of toevoegen)
🎖️ Merit
Webby Awards 2026 (nog niet op je site, check of toevoegen)
📋 Finalist ×2
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Case Study:
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