| Dance>Detour "We take an alternative route." |
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About Us
| WHO is Dance>Detour? |
Our mission is to educate and encourage others to envision dance and performance expression
through a broader scope by expanding the concept of what dance IS and WHO can be involved.
We creatively and effectively demonstrate that capable performers with disabilities EXIST and can
make significant contributions to the arts.
through a broader scope by expanding the concept of what dance IS and WHO can be involved.
We creatively and effectively demonstrate that capable performers with disabilities EXIST and can
make significant contributions to the arts.
| PHILOSOPHY |
| PROGRAMS |
Our wide range of program options include main stage performances, lecture demonstrations,
tailored workshops, and multi-level training for children and adults with varying abilities.
tailored workshops, and multi-level training for children and adults with varying abilities.
| HIGHLIGHTS |
| MEDIA COVERAGE |
| MISSION |
Founded in 1995, Dance>Detour is Chicago’s first professional “diverse-abilities” dance company
comprised of multi-talented artists with and without disabilities. The focus of our work is solely
dedicated to the art of physically integrated dance and collaborations that include dancers of all
abilities who explore movement possibilities together as EQUALS.
comprised of multi-talented artists with and without disabilities. The focus of our work is solely
dedicated to the art of physically integrated dance and collaborations that include dancers of all
abilities who explore movement possibilities together as EQUALS.
Dance>Detour’s philosophy is that “Everyone Can Dance”, and that there is quality in all types of
movement – far beyond typical perspectives and stereotypes that a dancer must be someone of a
particular age, with a certain type of body, and/or uniform style of movement.In fact, ALL
MOVEMENT IS VALID even if it is only an eyelid blinking.
movement – far beyond typical perspectives and stereotypes that a dancer must be someone of a
particular age, with a certain type of body, and/or uniform style of movement.In fact, ALL
MOVEMENT IS VALID even if it is only an eyelid blinking.
Dance>Detour proudly performed in San Jose, Costa Rica for their Independence Day for
People with Disabilities. The company proudly boasts of performing at Chicago’s first-ever
Disability Arts and Cultural Festival in April 2006. Artistic Director, Alana Wallace had the
honor of performing with Mikhail Baryshnikov and the White Oak Dance Project in
“PassForward” presented by Columbia College (Nov. 2000). Dance>Detour company members
have also collaborated in original works with The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago (1997 and 1998),
Bryant Ballet of Chicago, The Chicago Moving, and MOMENTA Dance. In addition,
Dance>Detour performed for the first Cultural Paralympiad in Atlanta, GA (1996).
People with Disabilities. The company proudly boasts of performing at Chicago’s first-ever
Disability Arts and Cultural Festival in April 2006. Artistic Director, Alana Wallace had the
honor of performing with Mikhail Baryshnikov and the White Oak Dance Project in
“PassForward” presented by Columbia College (Nov. 2000). Dance>Detour company members
have also collaborated in original works with The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago (1997 and 1998),
Bryant Ballet of Chicago, The Chicago Moving, and MOMENTA Dance. In addition,
Dance>Detour performed for the first Cultural Paralympiad in Atlanta, GA (1996).
Over the past 15 years, the company has received extensive local and national media coverage from:
CNN-TV News; NBC-TV, WLS-TV; ABC-TV; WBBM CBS-TV; WGN-TV; CLTV; WYCC-TV; Jet
Magazine; and various Chicago newspapers, including The Sun-Times, The Tribune, The Chicago
Defender, The Reader, and PerformInk.
CNN-TV News; NBC-TV, WLS-TV; ABC-TV; WBBM CBS-TV; WGN-TV; CLTV; WYCC-TV; Jet
Magazine; and various Chicago newspapers, including The Sun-Times, The Tribune, The Chicago
Defender, The Reader, and PerformInk.
| GOALS |
As an arts/advocacy performance company, our goal is to promote full participation, equal access,
expert training, and inclusive dance opportunities for performers with disabilities.
expert training, and inclusive dance opportunities for performers with disabilities.