Abby Bender never imagined Built on Stilts growing into the eight-night Island phenomenon it is today.

The Everett Company is bringing their latest work, Freedom Project, to the Vineyard on Saturday as part of the Yard's winter dance program.

Beginning this Thursday, Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs will be filled with the sounds of dancing feet, rhythmic drumming and thunderous applause as the Island gathers once again for the annual Built on Stilts dance festival.

“It’s not easy to find comic dance,” acknowledged David White, the artistic director of The Yard. Nevertheless, Mr. White has worked hard to put together a wide collection of acts for the Women Dance the Comic series at The Yard running until July 25.

Sandy Stone-Benjamin fell in love with dance in the third grade, and later went on to perform with the Paul Taylor Dance Company. Recently, she opened the Spindrift dance studio where she teaches modern dance, jazz, ballet and tap.

The Yard has announced its summer 2015 programing schedule. The season runs from May through September.