| Dance>Detour "We take an alternative route." |
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| Founder |
ALANA WALLACE, Founder and Artistic Director, established Dance>Detour in 1995 to
develop and promote artistic collaborations between artists with and without disabilities
working together to explore dance movement as equals. She works to expand the concept of
what dance IS and WHO can be involved. Wallace, an African-American woman, who
contracted polio at the age of five, has always believed she was born to perform. She has
found that the wheelchair is a beautiful accessory that affords her a unique opportunity to
embrace and express dance.
Wallace is a multi-faceted artist who, along with Michelle Obama, received one of ten
Phenomenal Woman Awards at THE BLACK WOMEN’S EXPO Gala in 2008. Alana
currently appears in the TV commercial for “Think Beyond the Label”— a national
campaign to promote employment for people with disabilities. She is also featured in the
newly unveiled edition of “WHO’S WHO IN BLACK CHICAGO,” as an accomplished
community leader.
Alana has collaborated in dance works with renowned companies such as Mikhail
Baryshnikov’s White Oak Dance Project, The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Bryant Ballet, The
Chicago Moving Company and MOMENTA. In 1998, she was featured in the Emmy Award-
Winning PBS television documentary, “Dance from the Heart” hosted by Ben Vereen.
She conducts movement workshops, lectures and performs nationwide. Thus, Alana proudly
displays her artistry in dance, (as well as in singing, and acting) – as a testament to the talents
and abilities of performers with disabilities. Adding to her creative endeavors, Wallace has
launched CRIPmark Cards – a line of greeting cards that showcases images of people with
disabilities that are positive and beautiful!
Links about the company
THINK BEYOND THE LABEL
Dance From the Heart
mobileWOMEN
Alana Wallace * 312/ 341-1018 * dancedetour@aol.com
develop and promote artistic collaborations between artists with and without disabilities
working together to explore dance movement as equals. She works to expand the concept of
what dance IS and WHO can be involved. Wallace, an African-American woman, who
contracted polio at the age of five, has always believed she was born to perform. She has
found that the wheelchair is a beautiful accessory that affords her a unique opportunity to
embrace and express dance.
Wallace is a multi-faceted artist who, along with Michelle Obama, received one of ten
Phenomenal Woman Awards at THE BLACK WOMEN’S EXPO Gala in 2008. Alana
currently appears in the TV commercial for “Think Beyond the Label”— a national
campaign to promote employment for people with disabilities. She is also featured in the
newly unveiled edition of “WHO’S WHO IN BLACK CHICAGO,” as an accomplished
community leader.
Alana has collaborated in dance works with renowned companies such as Mikhail
Baryshnikov’s White Oak Dance Project, The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Bryant Ballet, The
Chicago Moving Company and MOMENTA. In 1998, she was featured in the Emmy Award-
Winning PBS television documentary, “Dance from the Heart” hosted by Ben Vereen.
She conducts movement workshops, lectures and performs nationwide. Thus, Alana proudly
displays her artistry in dance, (as well as in singing, and acting) – as a testament to the talents
and abilities of performers with disabilities. Adding to her creative endeavors, Wallace has
launched CRIPmark Cards – a line of greeting cards that showcases images of people with
disabilities that are positive and beautiful!
Links about the company
THINK BEYOND THE LABEL
Dance From the Heart
mobileWOMEN
Alana Wallace * 312/ 341-1018 * dancedetour@aol.com
