The Dancing Wheels Company has been on a roll throughout the summer months and will continue well into their 2014/15 season!
With over 30 performances around the county and more yet to come, the 15 member Company is always here to bring arts and access to audiences throughout the world.
Starting in June the Company began its 27 performances to libraries throughout Cuyahoga County. This venture along with a made for television and a full length dance theater produce was all part of a special grant made possible by the citizens of Cuyahoga County and the Creative Culture Grant from The Cuyahoga Arts & Culture
Daring to Be Dumbo addresses issues surrounding the eradication of bullying in our communities, The Dancing Wheels Company created a multi-faceted, multi-media presentation in which live dance, video presentation and audience discussion bring about solutions and resolution to this epidemic that has long plagued our communities.
To garner an understanding and to facilitate discussion the Company utilizes their newly created made for television documentary exploring the lives of individuals from varied walks of lives, who suffered an incident of bullying because of their differences but rose above to succeed and prosper.
“Daring to Be Dumbo” is a reimagining of the original story that is set in a contemporary Junior High School, where Dumbo is now a thirteen year old girl who is bullied. The original themes of triumph over adversity still ring through at the core of this new program; themes that the Dancing Wheels Company exemplifies in our mission for inclusivity and equality for all people.
This Library Program has taken place throughout Cuyahoga County reaching nearly a thousand children and adults in 27 libraries over the summer. Yet to come are performance on August 16 at the Olmstead Falls Library at 2:00 p.m. and on September 27th at the library at Brook park 11:30 a.m..
In addition to this rigorous library tour, the Company is also preparing for its residency at Chautuaqua which includes a keynote address by Founding Artistic Director, Mary Verdi-Fletcher, a teaching workshop at 12:15 and a mainstage Concert beginning at 8:15 p.m.
The concert will consist of a diverse repertory including:
“Let the Good Times Roll” Choreographed by Ginger Cox, music by Ray Charles
“MayRing “Trio & Duet choreographed by Sabatino Verlezza, music by Stwart-Lennox and Lennon- McCartney
“Above” - choreographed by Daniel Jobe, music Adagio for Strings
“Sweet Radio Radicals” - Choreographed by Dianne McIntyre, a mix of music by the Carter Family, Mehalia Jackson, Etta James, Dolly Parton, Janis Joplin and Glayds Knight
“Far East of the Blues” - Choreographed by Donald McKayle, Music by Duke Ellington
The Company now in its 34th season continue to travel the globe performing and educating audiences of our 5 million since its inception in 1980.
Look for the world premier of “Babes in Toyland” the first week of December at the Saint Ignatius Breen Center and an exciting collaborative performance with Elec Simon of the round STOMP on April 25 at the Masonic Performance Arts Auditorium!
For more information, check out the Company & School’s website at www.dancingwheels.org or call (216) 432-0306.
About Dancing Wheels
If dance is an expression of the human spirit, then it is best expressed by people of all abilities. That is the fundamental belief behind the Dancing Wheels Company & School. Considered one of the premier arts and disabilities organizations in the U.S., Dancing Wheels is a professional, physically integrated dance company uniting the talents of dancers both with and without disabilities.
Mary Verdi-Fletcher, the first professional wheelchair dancer in the U.S., founded the Dancing Wheels Company in Cleveland in 1980. Born with spina bifida, Mary wanted to offer others with disabilities full and equal access into the world of dance. An almost unimaginable concept at the time, Mary’s vision and passion have since helped to revolutionize our very notion of dance – as well as what defines a dancer.
Furthering the mission of inclusive arts and recreation opportunities for all, the School of Dancing Wheels proudly opened its doors in 1990. Its state-of-the-art studios were soon regarded as a world-class training center for dancers, choreographers and educators. That same year, a partnership with the Cleveland Ballet created the ground-breaking Cleveland Ballet Dancing Wheels which went on to delight audiences for nearly a decade.
To date, the Dancing Wheels Company’s inspirational mission has touched over 5 million people through performances, school assemblies, residencies and workshops. Millions more have enjoyed their artistry via appearances on CNN, Good Morning America, and the TV special “Christopher Reeve: A Celebration of Hope.”
Now part of Professional Flair, Inc., a 501(c) arts and disabilities organization, Dancing Wheels continues to travel the globe advocating disability awareness and entertaining 30,000-50,000 people each year. With a repertory of over 40 works from nationally-esteemed choreographers and a message of inclusion and accessibility, the Company continually expands the reach of artistic possibilities while celebrating the universal spirit of dance.
About Mary Verdi-Fletcher
Mary Verdi-Fletcher has been a pioneering force in the development and success of physically integrated dance for over 30 years. One of the world’s first and foremost professional wheelchair dancers, she has worked and studied with such esteemed artists as Donald McKayle, David Rousseve, Dianne McIntyre, Dennis Nahat, Keith Young, Ben Vereen, Christopher Reeve and many others.
Seeing the need for training and career opportunities for dancers of all ability levels, Ms. Verdi-Fletcher created the multi-arts Dancing Wheels School in 1990. Attracting students from around the globe, the school is becoming the worldwide center for physically integrated dance. As an educator, Mary has conducted master classes and lectures and has consulted with notable arts institutions across several continents.
Also a tireless arts administrator and advocate, Mary has helped develop state and national programs for arts and disability service organizations and has worked to help to pass significant pieces of legislation. Her efforts have paved the way for others in their quest for full and equal access.
Mary’s recent professional affiliations include Executive Committee Member for the Careers in Arts Summit, Program Committee Member for The Association of Performing Arts Presenters Annual Conference, Advisory Board Member for The Arc of Greater Cleveland and Board Member for Ohio Arts Presenters.