UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 4, Page D-4
September 22, 1994
Diversity
From Public Safety desk to the performaing arts stage

     Most people at the University know Gene Dean in his role as
records coordinator for the traffic division of the Department of
Public Safety, where he has worked since 1968.
     But since last year, Dean has performed in several other roles--
namely as an actor, dancer and poet--for AbleArts, a group of
performing artists he helped to organize in 1993. This year, he is the
organization's president.
     According to Dean, who has been a full-time wheelchair user since
the age of 10, "AbleArts is an organization committed to providing
opportunities for disabled and non-disabled people to work in all
aspects of the performing arts.
     "Everything we perform has been created by one or more members of
AbleArts.
     "Our major emphasis is on awareness of disability issues, but
it's not our only focus," Dean said.
     AbleArts has presented a number of performances during the past
year, including programs at West Chester University, Friends School in
Wilmington, the Chester-Crozer Hospital in Chester, Pa., and at
several area libraries and nursing homes.
     On Sept. 22, the AbleArts performed in Wilmington's Rodney Square
at an event sponsored by the advocacy group, Connections, and next
month, AbleArts will make its campus debut.
     A four-scene, love story in pantomime and dance entitled Seasons,
which was created by Dean and Newark dance instructor and therapist
Marty Gorin, has been particularly well-received by members of several
audiences.
     "The first time we performed Seasons was in Georgetown [Del.]. My
partner and I had no idea what to expect," Dean recalled. "But, the
response was really emotional.
     "During the question-and-answer period after the performance,
some of the audience had tears streaming down their faces and talked
about how emotionally touched they were by this love story.
     "One of the ladies had recently lost her husband, who had been in
a wheelchair for a number of years. The love story in our dance piece
touched her and reminded her of her relationship with her husband.
Each time we perform, we get similar responses."
     Dean said he hopes the performance will reach viewers on an
educational level as well.
     "We want to increase awareness of the disabled, to show that the
possibility exists for disabled people to have rich full lives.
Hopefully, we'll be able to break some stereotypes."
     AbleArts will perform twice at the University on Oct. 5.
     The first program will be presented at 12:15 p.m. in the Rodney
Room of the Perkins Student Center as part of the University's Faculty
and Staff Assistance Lunch and Learn series.
     The other presentation will begin at 8 p.m. in Pearson Hall
auditorium.
     The free public performances will include skits, music and dance
as well as poetry read by Dean.
     Following the performance, a question-and-answer session will
offer the audience a chance to learn more about the ensemble.
     AbleArts is a non-profit group. Through donations, the members
hope to purchase scenery, audio equipment and a spotlight.
     The Oct. 5 performances are being sponsored by the Diversity
Education Task Force of the Office of Affirmative Action and
Multicultural Programs.
     Dean said the upcoming campus performances are of special
importance, because he expects the audience will include family
members, friends and colleagues.
     "I'm excited, but nervous," he said.