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Oglebay Institute Offers Adaptive Dance Classes for Students with Disabilities

So, You Think You Can Dance? We Do!

Like everyone else, children with developmental delays and physical challenges can greatly benefit from creative expression through the arts. Dance, in particular, allows kids with differing abilities the opportunity to express their individuality, gain self-confidence and experience the joy of movement in new and rewarding ways.

But parents of special needs children often have concerns over the physical and emotional challenges their children might face when enrolling in a dance class. Will they be able to keep up? Will they make friends? Will they feel included? Will they be able to handle the physical demands?

DanceAbility Program at OI

Adaptive dance classes, like ones being offered at Oglebay Institute’s School of Dance in Wheeling as part of its DanceAbility Program, are tailored for individuals with differing abilities and focus on a creating an open environment in which all abilities can participate.

Several classes are being offered for the winter session, which begins the week of January 6.

Class Details

Beyond the Wheels: Explore the world of dance with creative movement and exciting music. This 8-week class is for preschool students through third grade who use a wheelchair. Class meets Mondays, 12:45-1:15pm (for ages 3-6) and Tuesdays, 6:45-7:15pm (for ages 7-11).  More Details.

Me and My Coach 1.0: This adaptive dance and tumbling class is for children ages 18 months to 31/2 years and their parent, aide or therapist. It will engage the dancer in movement and exercise sequences that will encourage communication skills and physical development to increase large and small gross motor skills. The eight-week class meets Thursdays from 9:30-10am.  More Details.

Me and My Coach 1.5: This adaptive dance and tumbling class is for children ages 31/2 to 61/2 and their parent, aide or therapist. It will engage the dancer in movement and exercise sequences that will encourage communication skills and physical development to increase large and small gross motor skills. The eight-week class meets Thursdays from 10-10:45am.  More Details.

Mixed Abilities Cheering: Everyone deserves a chance to cheer for their favorite team! Students, ages 4-8, learn basic cheers with movements. The eight-week class meets Saturdays from 11-11:30am.  More Details.

Seeing through the Eyes of Dance: Seeing impaired students explore the world of dance with creative movement and exciting music. This eight-week class is for preschool students through third grade with limited or no sight. All students should bring a parent or therapist. Class meets Mondays, 12-12:30pm (for ages 3-6) and Wednesdays, 8:15-8:45pm (for ages 7-11).  More Details.

Stretch and Grow: This class works with a students, ages 2-4, and parent or therapist. Movements and songs work on gross motor skills and muscle development. The eight-week class meets Tuesdays from 3:30-4pm.  More Details.

Find Out More

For more information, contact OI director of dance Cheryl Pompeo at 304-242-8807. To register for classes, visit www.oionline.com or call 304-242-7700.

THE NUTCRACKER: HOLIDAY FAVORITE WAS ONCE A FAILURE

This Saturday, December 22 and Sunday, December 23, Oglebay Institute’s Youth Ballet Company will present “The Nutcracker” in Wheeling at Towngate Theatre.

This annual show at Towngate is a holiday tradition and is loved by many. Those who attend will be dazzled by dancing flowers, flurries of snowflakes, beautiful fairies and a legion of mice as they dance across the stage in beautiful costumes. You will be transported into a Christmas fantasy as you wonder at the lovely set and Tchaikovsky’s beloved score embraces you.

The History of “The Nutcracker”

“The Nutcracker” is certainly a holiday tradition for many. This classic ballet is staged all over the world this time of year. Families everywhere see it annually as a part of their holiday traditions. But it wasn’t always the case. In fact,  both audiences and critics panned “The Nutcracker” when it premiered. How did it come to be such a Christmas classic?

In 1844, Alexandre Dumas (of “The Three Musketeers” fame) had written an adaptation of the story, “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by E.T.A. Hoffmann. The director of Moscow’s Imperial Theatres, Ivan Vsevolozhsky, commissioned a ballet version of the story in 1891. It was set to music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, following the huge success of his “Sleeping Beauty” just two years previously. Furthermore, Marius Petipa, one of the most influential ballet masters and choreographers in the history of ballet, originally choreographed “The Nutcracker.”

Everything seemed to be in place. A winning writer, composer and choreographer all taking part in a new ballet. “The Nutcracker” first premiered a week before Christmas 1892. However, the first production of “The Nutcracker” was a failure. Neither the audience nor the critics liked it. The ballet only gained popularity in future productions, specifically when it began being performed in Western countries.

The first performance of “The Nutcracker” in the United States took place in 1944 at the San Francisco Opera Ballet. By changing a few characters, choreographer George Balanchine brought new life to “The Nutcracker.” His 1954 production for the New York City Ballet popularized the ballet, establishing it as a holiday tradition. Many of the versions of “The Nutcracker” performed today are based on the version created by George Balanchine.

“The Nutcracker” in Wheeling at Towngate

Gather your family and join us at Towngate Theatre for this magical holiday journey. Performances are 3pm & 7pm Saturday, December 22 and Sunday, December 23 at Towngate Theatre.

Tickets are $12.50 ($11 OI members) for adults and $10 ($8.50 OI members) for children 10 & under.

Purchase tickets online or call 304-242-7700.

Sugar Plum Social

Join the cast of “The Nutcracker” for a Sugar Plum Social prior to the matinee shows. Enjoy refreshments and get pictures with Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy 1-2pm December 22 & 23. $15 per child. (Purchase with your ticket.)