Dancing Wheels Company
Dancing Wheels Company dancers begin “Neither Lost Nor Found” by James Morrow (2017) in stark silhouette. Photo courtesy of the Dancing Wheels Company.
Dancing Wheels Company dancers Meredith Aleigha Wells, Celina Naima Speck, and Matthew Robinson performing “Od:yssey” (2019) choreographed by Marc Brew. Photo Credit: Al Fuchs, 2019.
Dancing Wheels Company dancers Matthew Bowman, Celina Naima Speck, and Craig Sams III performing “Od:yssey” (2019) choreographed by Marc Brew. Photo Credit: Peter Wochniak, ProPhotoSTL, 2022.
Members of the Dancing Wheels Company performing “Trust” (2022) choreographed by Brian Murphy. Photo Credit: Mark Horning, 2022.
Company dancers McKenzie Beaverson and DeMarco Sleeper in “This Day” (2022) choreographed by Donald Byrd in collaboration with the cast of dancers. Photo credit: Mark Horning, 2022.
Dancing Wheels Company dancers performing in “Proof” (2023) choreographed by Mark Tomasic. Photo Credit: Trevor Denning, 2023.
Company dancers McKenzie Beaverson, DeMarco Sleeper, and Celina Naima Speck (left to right) performing in “Six by Nina” (2023) choreographed by Catherine Meredith. Photo Credit: Mark Horning, 2023.
Company dancers Morgan Walker and DeMarco Sleeper performing in “Three 4 Ann” (2022) choreographed by Mark Tomasic. Photo Credit: Mark Horning, 2023.
Dancing Wheels Company dancers performing in “Three 4 Ann” (2022) choreographed by Mark Tomasic. Photo Credit: Trevor Denning, 2023.
Company dancer DeMarco Sleeper performing in “Six by Nina” (2023) choreographed by Catherine Meredith. Photo Credit: Mark Horning, 2023.
Dancing Wheels Company dancers performing in “Malindy Sings!” (2023) choreographed by Staycee Pearl. Photo Credit: Mark Horning, 2023.
Company dancers Celina Naima Speck and DeMarco Sleeper performing in “An Ella Encounter” (2023) choreographed by Laura Ann Smyth in collaboration with the dancers. Photo Credit: Mark Horning, 2023.
Dancing Wheels Company dancers performing in “An Ella Encounter” (2023) choreographed by Laura Ann Smyth in collaboration with the dancers. Photo Credit: Mark Horning, 2023.
Our company’s lifelong mission to educate, advocate and entertain through compelling, innovative dance was born of the goals that each of our team members shares a heartfelt commitment to:
ENHANCE INTEGRATION AND DIVERSITY IN THE ARTS WITH WORKS UNITING PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES. PROVIDE SUCCESSFUL, INDEPENDENT AND CREATIVE ROLE MODELS FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES. ERASE NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES ABOUT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN PROFESSIONAL CAREERS, PRIMARILY IN THE ARTS. INSTILL GREATER UNDERSTANDING AND PROFESSIONALISM IN INDIVIDUALS OF ALL ABILITY LEVELS.
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 6 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 85 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.
