From TOLEDO BALLET
The Toledo Ballet’s spring gala will feature Dancing Wheels, an inclusive dance company that brings together dancers both with and without disabilities. The one-night-only performance bringing together ambulatory and non-ambulatory dancers from Dancing Wheels and the Toledo Ballet will be staged Friday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Valentine Theatre.
Now in its 41st season, the Dancing Wheels Company & School continues its work to educate, entertain and uplift audiences worldwide. “As America’s first and foremost physically integrated dance company, it is important for us to demonstrate our equitable and inclusive artistry to a wide range of audiences,” says President & Founding Artistic Director, Mary Verdi-Fletcher. “This collaboration with Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts is extremely exciting and a long time in coming. It will enable our two organizations to immerse fully in the cultural vibrancy of the Toledo community.”
Toledo Ballet Alumna McKenzie Beaverson began dancing with The Dancing Wheels Company in 2016 and currently serves as a Company Member for the organization. “Toledo Ballet became my second home the moment I took my first class with Ms. Ann (Heckler). She welcomed me and ignited my passion for dance that has propelled me into my professional career,” says Beaverson. “The high-level training I received and productions I was part of with Toledo Ballet gave me a great foundation that has ultimately led to my success not only as a professional dancer, but into the adult I am today. I feel so lucky to be able to dance every day and do something for a living that I have so much love for. I am beyond thrilled to get the opportunity to come back to the place I first fell in love with dance and share what I have learned with students that are right where I was. I’m excited for the students of Toledo Ballet to see how inclusive dance is and learn ways they can continue to be inclusive in their own lives. It’s amazing to me that I get to come back home with Dancing Wheels and have my two worlds collide. It’s a full circle moment for me, and I can’t wait!”
During her time at Toledo Ballet, Beaverson assisted Toledo Ballet’s Adaptive Dance classes led by Ann Heckler, Toledo Ballet’s Interim Coordinator of Curriculum & Faculty. “While working with McKenzie, I witnessed an innate quality and understanding of the joy of dancing, teaching, and learning from differently abled dancers,” says Heckler. “This served her well to become both a performer and teacher for Dancing Wheels. We are so proud of her and excited to welcome her back to Toledo Ballet to share her expertise of integrating all dancers in an inclusive dance workshop with Toledo Ballet dancers.”
“Growing up at Toledo Ballet, I have fond memories of Marie Vogt’s Spring Productions,” says Steven Brown, Toledo Ballet Faculty Member. “Madame Vogt often brought in guest artists or choreographers for a special performance with Toledo Ballet students. Our Gala this year, featuring Dancing Wheels, is a wonderful opportunity to feature our current Toledo Ballet dancers and also provides an awareness in our community that dancing is for all bodies. I am especially honored that now as a Toledo Ballet Faculty Member, some of my own choreography will be featured in this production and our students can have the same experiences I was afforded growing up at Toledo Ballet!”
HOW TO ATTEND:
What: Toledo Ballet Gala featuring Dancing Wheels
When: Friday, April 29, 2022, 7PM
Where: Valentine Theatre
Ticket Cost: $29-$48
More info: Visit toledoballet.com, stop by the Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts’ Box Office
located at 1838 Parkwood Ave, or call 419.246.8000, Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM.
