Vol. 17, No. 8	Oct. 23, 1997

'Wheels' ballet to perform Nov. 6

Cleveland Ballet Dancing Wheels, a unique company that includes the talents of wheelchair-bound dancers, will visit the University from Nov. 4-6 for a lecture demonstration, a dance workshop for disabled dancers, a master class and a public performance.

President, founding director and principal dancer of the company is Mary Verdi-Fletcher, who was born with spina bifida. In 1980, she created the company to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to play a more active role in dance. After developing strong ties with the Cleveland Ballet, the present company was formed in 1990.

Since that time, dancers of all abilities have inspired and enriched the lives of audiences everywhere.

Verdi-Fletcher's dream of having disabled dancers realize artistic achievement on a professional level, and her determination to change negative perceptions has given many dancers the opportunity to perform and to achieve on a variety of levels.

Her personal experience as director, advocate and artist has helped her to meet many challenges and reach beyond the dance and disabled communities.

In 1994, Sabatino Verlezza joined the company as co-artistic director and choreographer.

With an MFA in dance from the University of Michigan and 15 years of experience as a dancer and choreographer in New York, Sabatino provides innovative choreography that accentuates the abilities rather than the limitations of the dancers, as he works to dispel the myth that individuals with disabilities are limited in what they can achieve as artists.

Dancing Wheels reaches more than 125,000 people around the world each year through lecture/performances, community classes, workshops and main stage productions.

The company's UD schedule includes:

• A lecture, demonstration and panel discussion at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4, in Pearson Hall auditorium. Admission is free.

• A dance workshop for disabled dancers at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5, also in Pearson Hall auditorium. Admission is free. Call 831-2204 to register.

• A master class, open to all beginning and advanced dancers, at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5, also in Pearson Hall auditorium. Admission is free. Call 831-2204 to register.

• A public performance at 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6, in the Bob Carpenter Center. Tickets are $15 for the general public, $10 for UD faculty, staff, alumni and senior citizens, and $6 for students and children.

For tickets or more information, call 831-2204, or stop by the Bob Carpenter Center, Trabant University Center or Hartshorn box offices.