OUTREACH PROGRAMS
Reaching the community through educational programs and performances is an important and fulfilling part of The Dancing Wheels Company’s mission and philosophy. With dancers representing diversity of age, ethnicity, gender and physical ability, the Company embodies the message of equality and accessibility. And by demonstrating that dreams can be achieved through perseverance and belief in oneself, the Company reaches adults and children with and without disabilities on a very personal level.
We’d love to tailor a program for your school or organization, and we have a number of performance options to get you started.
Outreach Technical Rider
Our Standard Assembly-Based Lecture Performance
Perfect for K through college, this 45-minute to one-hour program presents dance and disability-related issues in a fun and informative way. Following several energetic and engaging dance excerpts, a dancer with a disability tells of their personal quest to live a full life regardless of obstacles.
Dancers also demonstrate the language of dance through adaptive translation via sign language, shadowing and audio-description. Finally, we present Mary Verdi-Fletcher’s journey into dance despite her disability, and her desire to make the arts accessible to all. Program starts at $700 (additional for travel and accommodations).
Lecture Performance with a Story Ballet Theme
This assembly-based, abbreviated version of our Mainstage Concert utilizes our full Company and is perfect for in-school assemblies. Program starts at $1,200 (additional for travel and accommodations). This program features one of the following Dancing Wheels Story Ballets:
Alice in Wonderland…Like It’s Never Been Seen Before!
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This contemporary and hip production uses vivid imagery and characters to create a
kaleidoscopic trip through Wonderland that is edgy yet family-oriented.
The Snowman
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Raymond Briggs’ captivating, heartwarming children’s book and video is beautifully brought to life through enchanting movement.
Helen Keller: A Tribute to My Teacher
To honor The Cleveland Sight Center’s centennial anniversary, we proudly present this story ballet about the adult life of Helen Keller. The story highlights her
accomplishments as a pioneering force for women, people with disabilities, and the
civil rights movement.
Expanded Lecture Performance with an Historical Theme
These assembly-based, shorter versions of our Mini-Mainstage Concert feature 4-6 dancers for in-school performances centered on one of the following stories:
Walking On Clouds
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An emotional, historical look at equality and the example of Rosa Parks. Words and movement combine to explore the differences and similarities between the fight for equal rights for people with disabilities and people of color.
Unconquered Warriors
Infuses traditional Chinese dance with modern dance in a story based on the culture of Chinese warriors.
Sweet Radio Radicals
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Features music from female singers and songwriters who helped to influence and change society with their music.
Program starts at $1,000 (additional for travel and accommodations).
Expanded Lecture Performance Science Topic Related
Perfect for secondary education students, this 45-minute to 1-hour program, including a question-and-answer session, brings together information about dance, disability related issues, and science in a fun and informative manner. Program starts at $900 (additional for travel and accommodations).
Science: A Catalyst for Art in Motion
An interactive assembly program with dance, disability awareness, and curriculum-based subject matter centered on Newton’s Three Laws of Motion. The program demonstrates such factors as force, acceleration and opposing reactions through the use of the Dancing Wheels Company’s highly technical wheelchairs used for everyday mobility and dance. The program also touches on the science behind wheelchair construction, development, and the technologies that go into the composition of the chair’s metals, wheel circumference and design elements. The main objectives of our Art in Motion and other assembly programs are to inspire, entertain and educate. It is our goal to help students recognize their abilities while learning to respect the abilities of others as well as impart a message that individual dreams and personal goals can be achieved through perseverance, hard work, and belief in oneself.
Residencies
These curriculum-based programs address State of Ohio content standards and incorporate hands-on learning for students. Typically lasting 3-5 days, residencies can conclude with a lecture performance with the Dancing Wheels Company. Program starts at $375/day (additional fee for culminating assembly-based lecture/performance, if desired.) Students will have the opportunity to learn the inclusive Dancing Wheels Technique while expanding on one of the following topics:
Making A Difference
A one day residency, incorporates dance with Social Studies and English Standards to address diversity, relationships, communication (both oral and visual) and accessibility.
Helen Keller: A Tribute to My Teacher
Incorporates lessons about women’s rights and disability awareness.
Walking on Clouds
›view video
Incorporates lessons on civil rights and the emotional and historical stories of popular civil rights leaders like Rosa Parks.
Alice in Wonderland, Like It's Never Been Seen Before!
›view video
This contemporary, hip and slick production uses imagery and characters to take a kaleidoscopic trip through wonderland that is edgy but very much family oriented.
The Snowman
>view video
Brings to life the captivating, and heartwarming children’s book and video, The Snowman, by Raymond Briggs.
Sweet Radio Radicals
>view video
Features music from female singers and songwriters who made changes in society through their music.
Unconquered Warriors
Infuses traditional Chinese dance with modern dance and is based on the Asian culture of the Chinese Warriors.
Workshop
Workshops are a great way for participants to become even more involved in the world of dance/movement. The instructors work with participants in a group setting to demonstrate the various techniques in adaptive translation for integrated dance. A workshop may be tailored to the specific needs of your organization. Starting at $500.
Master Class
An Instructor from The Dancing Wheels Company & School teaches a Master Class in various genres of dance, partnering and wheelchair technique. Classes may be tailored for participants of mixed abilities or specifically for disabled or non-disabled groups. Intensive training for serious dance students is available through our summer intensive programs or training with the Company in professional daily classes. Starting at $75/hour.
