annual report for 2014/15

Mary Verdi-Fletcher, President/Founding Artistic Director
G. Michael Bargas, Marketing & Public Relations Manager
Hope Harl, Social Media Manager
Dana A. Kuhn, Manager of Development & Communications
Catherine Meredith Lambert, Rehearsal Director
Julie Okuley, Clerical Assistant
Emma Parker, School Coordinator
Sara Lawrence-Sucato, Tour Manager
Kelly Clymer, Tanya Ewell*, Antonio DeBerry, Rebecca Fleisher, Hope Harl*,
Kristen Knabel, Kevin Marr, Sara Lawrence-Sucato, Kevin Marr*, Emma Parker, Frank Polk, Demarco Sleeper
Mary Verdi-Fletcher, Ja’Vaughn White*, Lianne Zydowicz*
†Apprentice *Trainee
Kevin Rhodes, Chairman
Suzanne M. Joseph, Vice Chairperson
Stephen H. Spaeth, Treasurer
Kerry M. Agins, Esq.
Wendy Campbell
William Dorsky
Donna L. Flynt
Stacy Gay
Thomas P. Gilligan
Maria Jukic
Brian J. Jungeberg
Meredith King
Kevin M. Kuhn
David S. Lockman
Bob Marx
Janice McCullough Ridgeway
Mickie McGraw
Brian Pritchard
Mary Verdi-Fletcher, President/Founding Artistic Director
John Voso, Jr.
John Wright
Emeritus
Rabbi Michael A. Oppenheimer
Mary Verdi-Fletcher, Emma Parker,
Kelly Clymer*, Brittany Kaplan, Gabriella Martinez, Sara Lawerence-Sucato, Kevin Marr, Catherine Meredith*
* Summer Adult Workshop / Youth Arts Camp
Dear Friends,
July 2015 marks the 25th anniversary of the signing of the landmark disability access law, the Americans
With Disabilities Act (ADA). Today we do not blink an eye when we see a wheelchair ramp on a
sidewalk, a kneeling bus or when we have an interchange with employee in a wheelchair. It seems like
these basic human rights should be common sense. However, it was not that long ago that they were
not so common at all.
The ADA was enacted the summer I graduated with a degree in Human Resources. That summer
I attended a number of seminars that were intended to explain what the ADA was and the actions
that employers and communities needed to take to comply. Despite this training and years of
working with the law in the workplace, I found that it was not until I was introduced to the
Dancing Wheels Company & School, through its energetic founding director Mary Verdi-Fletcher,
that I truly understood what integration looked like. In my time serving on the Board of Directors, I have seen first-hand
that true integration does not come from the legislature, nor is it an exercise in making reasonable accommodations. It is in
fact nothing short of creating an environment that allows people to interact with each other in a way that celebrates their true
essence without letting preconceived notions limit the possible.
It is truly amazing that the Dancing Wheels Company & School was born nearly ten years ahead of the ADA and is starting
its 35th anniversary season. Over these many years, the Dancing Wheels Company & School has empowered students and
audience members alike to experience individuals with and without a disability at their finest.
I believe it is their focus on teaching and practicing the professional dance techniques rather than focusing on the “disability”
that sets this organization apart. The end results are fully trained and qualified professional dancers, regardless of disability,
working together to spread the compelling message of inclusion through creative artistic performance and educational
programing.
I am truly thankful for the strong ongoing support we have received from our community partners and the entire Dancing
Wheels family. This support has allowed us to make significant strides toward our vision of inclusion for all.
Kevin Rhodes
Chairman, Board of Trustees
Dear Friends:
The 2014/2015 season certainly brought joy and new invention as a precursor for what it yet to come in our fast
approaching 35th anniversary season. The season was an extremely busy one as we never skipped a beat in our touring and
the development of new works.
The summer concluded with the last of our 27 library performances throughout Cuyahoga County which was the last leg
of our special project supported by the Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and the generosity of the Citizens of Cuyahoga County.
This special program, allowed us to bring about our very unique anti-bullying program entitled “Daring to be Dumbo” to
thousands of children and their families, and the best part of the entire program is that it continues to spread this positive
message of acceptance beyond our City to other cities throughout the nation. This of course is at an extremely important
time in our communities when the understanding and acceptance of all of our differences is pivotal in peace throughout
America.
In the customary fashion of the Dancing Wheels Company, touring never stops throughout the year, taking us to such
regional and national locations as Columbus, Michigan, Kentucky, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and all the while
developing and commissioning new works for audiences here in Cleveland.
Under the coordination of Emma Parker, The School of Dancing Wheels was also
busier than ever with numerous classes and residency programs stretching from
Cleveland to Akron and Columbus. This School once again served over 6,500
children who have physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities and also those with
severe economic challenges.
This year afforded the Company numerous exciting and extremely interesting
opportunities to stretch our artistry and imaginations and build upon
our diverse repertory in new and inventive ways. We began in late
summer/early fall with a wonderful collaboration with the Rainy Institute,
performing for the students in the after school program followed by a public
performance the next day. The Institute is a wonderful new partner that we
hope to continue working with year after year. During this timeframe we
also began work on the creation and mounting of an enchanting story
book ballet, “Babes in Toyland,” which proved to be yet another family
favorite. Premiering in December, the production was choreographed
by Catherine Meredith, the Company Rehearsal Director and drew sold
out houses for our student matinees and public performances. Using a
mix of mediums including video imagery and voice overs, the story was
reimagined like never before - a true treat for the young and the young at
heart!
During summer and fall, we also began planning our collaboration with world
percussionist Elec Simon (member of the touring production of STOMP) for
what turned out to be an incredible gala performance, “Rhythm & Wheels Around the
World.” The premiere performance was a mix of percussion and dance, and was performed at our home in the magnificent
Masonic Auditorium. The mastery of Mr. Simon mixed with the talent of our 13-member company, over 20 children with
and without disabilities from our School and dedicated musicians brought the house down several times throughout the
evening.
Our incredibly talented and hardworking Board of Directors and Events Committee has been busier than ever, with pre and
post parties for each production which including a champagne reception and Candyland party for “Babes in Toyland” an overthe-top “Night at the Races.” Finally, we hosted an incredible Carnival Party complete with a highly successful silent auction,
a wine pull, a mix of music, interactive activities, and an incredible array of tasty fare all to celebrate “Rhythm & Wheels
Around the World.”
Our work has not stopped for even a moment this year as we swiftly move into our 35th anniversary season; a momentous
year which intersects with the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act; the milestone legislation
that changed the face of accessibility for millions of Americans. Plans for the upcoming anniversary season include a kick
off ADA Conference and “Best of Accessible Cleveland” Luncheon in July, a world premiere performance on October 10
at the Allen Theater at Playhouse Square entitled the “Lasting Legacy Concert & Tour” featuring five themes of the ADA, a
first ever commission and performance with the Canton Symphony Orchestra in November, and a collaborative concert with
Chagrin Arts in April. Surprise events will continue throughout the season with the culmination being a truly memorable gala
celebration in the Spring of 2016.
All in all, the season was an artistic and organizational success. We stretched our imaginations, we look to new inventions and
achieved a level of success beyond our expectations.
Each year we think it can’t get any better but ironically, with the growing talent and enthusiasm that filters through our
organization, it indeed keeps getting better and better! This of course could not happen without the incredible dedication and
support of our hard-working and creative staff and dancers, the stewardship of our vital Board of Directors, our diligent and
tireless Events Committee, and of course all of you...our dedicated supporters that believe as we do; full and equal access
in the arts and all community living is a right, not a privilege. The very essence of the mission and work that drives the
Dancing Wheels Company & School.
Warm regards,
Mary Verdi-Fletcher
President/Founding Artistic Director
“Babes In Toyland” December 2014
Mary Verdi-Fletcher & Antonio DeBerry
Mary Verdi-Fletcher, America’s first professional wheelchair dancer, founded The Dancing Wheels Company in
1980 in Cleveland, Ohio. Having been born with spina bifida, Mary wanted to open the doors of opportunity for people
with disabilities who wanted to pursue their goals on an equal ground with their non-disabled peers. Mary always wanted to
be a professional dancer, and was not going to let her disability stand in her way. The Dancing Wheels Company was formed
to employ professionally-trained dancers, with and without disabilities. In their first year alone, the Company garnered
immediate acceptance and was in high demand, with Mary and her troupe presenting more than 72 performances. They
traveled the globe performing, advocating disability awareness, and entertaining more than 100,000 people each year.
Ten years later, The Dancing Wheels Company joined forces with the Cleveland Ballet to create Cleveland Ballet Dancing
Wheels, becoming a unique co-venture for a major ballet company that continued for nearly a decade. Today, The Dancing
Wheels Company & School is housed under Professional Flair, Inc., a 501(c)(3) arts/disability organization established by
a board of directors in 1989. Thirty-four years ago, this concept was uncharted territory in the world of dance, but Mary’s
passion and perseverance has revolutionized the idea of dance and the notion of who should or could participate. Dancing
Wheels is proud to convey this message of inclusion and accessibility. Our mission involves several principles and goals:
• To develop activities between individuals with and without disabilities that expand opportunities for integration in the arts.
• To dispel negative myths and stereotypes of individuals with disabilities in professional careers, primarily in the arts.
• To offer individuals with disabilities positive role models that are motivated, independent, creative and successful.
• To instill a greater understanding and level of professionalism in individuals with and without disabilities.
Since its beginning, The Dancing Wheels Company’s compelling performances and educational out-reach programming
have conveyed the philosophy of inclusive arts and reached audiences of over five million people worldwide with school
assembly programs, workshops, residencies, and mainstage concert performances worldwide. The Company has also had the
distinguished honor to represent our work at international festivals and conferences in Poland, Guatemala, British Columbia,
Trinidad and the Czech Republic. The Company has been featured on CNN, “Good Morning America” and on the ABC
television special “Christopher Reeve, A Celebration of Hope.”
As the Dancing Wheels Company gained recognition as America’s first physically integrated dance company, numerous
requests were received from families whose children with disabilities had no resource for arts and recreational programs. The
School of Dancing Wheels was established in 1990 in response to this overwhelming need in the community, and continues
to serve as Ohio’s only inclusive multi-arts school. We serve populations that have limited access to arts activities, with a
significant focus on children with disabilities, youth-at-risk, and those from socio-economic challenges.
The values of the Dancing Wheels organization can best be summed up by the following statement: “If dance is an expression
of the human spirit, then it is best expressed by people of all abilities.” The values of Dancing Wheels Company & School are:
• Enlightening: A unifying expression of movement for all
• Inspiring: The human body has no limitations
• Attitude Changing: Helping the mind and body soar
• Unique: Seeing Dancing Wheels is believing
• Creative: Dance is all about communications
For the first time, the Dancing Wheels Company & School created a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the redesign
of our website. We surpassed our goal, raising $3,030. The launch of our new website will coincide with our 35th
Anniversary in October 2015.
On Saturday, February 21, 2015, we hosted our 6th Annual “Night at the Races.” This thrilling fundraiser has become
a much-anticipated night out. The over 150 guests bet on video horse races the same ways that you could at a racetrack.
Lottery boards and a “Bucket of Booze,” which is always a crowd pleaser, were part of the evening’s activities. The “Night at
the Races” raised $9,157 to benefit our educational and outreach programming for The School of Dancing Wheels.
Our Annual Gala, “Rhythm & Wheels: Around the World,” was held at the Cleveland Masonic Performance Arts Center
– Home of the Dancing Wheels Company & School. Guests were greeted by drummers and 12-foot Quixotic Quidditie
puppets. The “Carnevale” atmosphere included a culinary experience created by Driftwood Caterers, cocktails, a tantalizing
array of silent auction items, and Dylan Moffitt and his band played sizzling Latin and Brazilian rhythms. This year’s event
raised $30,502.
Corporations 2.3%
Other Income 2.3%
School Tuition 8.3%
Benefits, Board & Individuals 13.9%
Touring & Ticket Sales 21.3%
Special Projects 2.3%
Government 19.9
Foundations 29.3%
Touring has always been a crucial part of spreading our mission of equality in the arts, and this year we have had the privilege
of performing for audiences near, far, young, old, with and without disabilities, in schools, in libraries, in hospitals, in majestic
theatre halls, and even through the streets of New York City. We completed 59 performances, in 8 states and 43 cities across
the nation, entertaining and educating 30,000 people. To say that the wheels never stopped turning during the 2014/2015
season is truly an understatement!
Here are some of the highlights from this year:
• At the prestigious Chautauqua Institution in August 2014, 3,000 people gave Dancing Wheels three standing ovations during a mainstage performance. As one patron emailed us after the show, “My children and I just came home from your performance in the Amphitheatre at the Chautauqua Institution, and enjoyed the evening very much. During the piece in which there were four dancers in white, Mary was lifted up in the air by the two male dancers, and my almost three year old son whispered, ‘Look, Mommy, an angel! Thank you for sharing your unique gifts with us tonight.’”
• Company members conducted seven physically integrated dance workshop classes totaling almost 200 participants.
• In June, July and August of 2014, we conducted “Daring to Be Dumbo” programs at 27 branches of the Cuyahoga County Public Library system as part of our receiving the Cuyahoga Arts & Culture “Creative Culture” Grant.
• To answer demand for our performances, our15-member troupe divided itself to perform in three different locations across the nation at once!
• We received bookings from four Ohio organizations for which we are involved – Northeast Ohio’s Center for Arts Inspired Learning, Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio, Columbus’s Ohio Alliance for Arts Education, and VSA Ohio.
• We returned to company trainee Ja’Vaughn White’s hometown of Adrian, Michigan to perform for the community and teachers of Lenawee Intermediate School District on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
• In May 2015, MobilityWorks generously sponsored our tours to the AbilityExpo in Metro New York and the NYC Dance Parade. Our own Mary Verdi-Fletcher was honored as a Grand Marshall of the parade for her contributions to physically integrated dance, and she and the Company had the honor of leading the parade of thousands through the streets of Manhattan to a culminating performance in Tompkins Square.
• Company members Tanya Ewell and Demarco Sleeper performed at MetroHealth Hospital in June 2015, marking a “homecoming” performance for them. Both Tanya and Demarco were injured in car accidents and received care at MetroHealth. Thanks to some well-meaning rehabilitation therapists, both were referred to us and both are thriving with the Company working full-time and touring the nation!
• On October 18, 2014, Dancing Wheels took to the stage at the Rainey Institute for a nighttime concert “For the Young & Young at Heart.” The concert featured Company repertory favorites and a special performance by the Performance Ensemble. Rainey Institutes’s Executive Director Lee Lazar said after the show, “I don’t ever remember in my life using the words ‘wheelchair’ and ‘beauty’ together, and I used it several times after seeing your performance.”
• On December 5-6, 2014, Dancing Wheels premiered “Babes in Toyland” at the St. Ignatius Breen Center for the Performing Arts. Choreographed by Rehearsal Director Catherine Meredith, this re-imagined holiday classic wowed audience of all ages. The premiere featured two sold-out student matinees attended by over 1,500 local school children from Greater Cleveland, a Friday night premiere performance open to the public, and a family-friendly matinee followed by a party for children!
• On April 18, 2015, Dancing Wheels held a first-of-its-kind performance entitled “Rhythm & Wheels: Around the World.” Performing for the first time in our very own Masonic Temple’s Auditorium, Dancing Wheels joined forces with Elec Simon, world percussionist and cast member of the Off-Broadway show STOMP, to put on quite the electric show. Our dancers used buckets, drums, and wheels to create an awe-inspiring night for the 500 audience members in attendance.
“Rhythm & Wheels: Around the World” April 2015
Antonio DeBerry & Emma Parker (Right)
Kevin Marr & Mary Verdi-Fletcher (Left)
Furthering the mission of inclusive arts and recreation opportunities for all, the School of Dancing Wheels proudly opened its
doors in 1990. Our state-of-the-art studios were soon regarded as a world-class training center for dancers, choreographers and
educators. The School offers an exciting array of weekly classes, workshops, residency and community programs for adults and
children with and without disabilities.
During the 2014/15 Season, the School reached over 6,500 children through our inclusive programing and student
performances. Participating organizations included:
• Charles A. Mooney School (Cleveland)
• Julie Billiart School (Cleveland)
• Murray Ridge School (Lorain County Board of Developmental Disabilities)
• Old Trail School (Akron)
• St. Rocco School (Cleveland)
• Girl Scouts of North East Ohio
• Youth Challenge (Westlake)
• United Cerebral Palsy (Cleveland)
• On Your Toes Dance Studio (Solon)
• Adult Activity Centers (Beachwood, East Cleveland, Rocky River)
Although all of outreach programs provide positive and enriching results for participants, there are several that should be
highlighted:
Now in its sixth season at the Murray Ridge School, the School of Dancing Wheels continues to provide the students with varying degrees of physical and emotional disabilities with weekly classes. These classes help to improve communication, socialization, and emotional and cognitive skills through movement. Murray Ridge’s administrators and therapists continue to be overwhelmingly positive for this program and can be summed up by this quote, “Children with disabilities are expressing themselves, finding joy in their capabilities, and pushing their limits to become engaged and active.”
Student success story…“Kyle was such a joy to have in class this semester,” said Emma Parker, Dancing Wheels’ School Coordinator. In the past, Kyle’s behavioral issues required one-on-one assistance and reliance on his noise-blocking headphones to stay focused. This season his behavior changed drastically. Kyle, who has previously been non-verbal in class, began saying three-word phrases such as “Dancing Wheels Class,” “Miss Emma dance,” and “I have fun.” This was an amazing accomplishment for him! After a few weeks, Kyle’s mother contacted Emma and asked about getting Kyle tap shoes. She said that after “Dancing Wheels Days” at school, Kyle would come home and tap dance throughout the house. She would find Kyle watching videos of tap dancers such as Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly and imitating their movements. Because of his newfound passion for dance, Kyle’s mother began traveling an hour to the Dancing Wheels Studio so Kyle could take dance classes more than once a week. Emma looks forward to having Kyle in her future classes and seeing his growth in communication, self-expression, and dance.
This is the second year for our residency at Charles Mooney School. Over the course of four months, the students focused on dance movements and the incorporation of self-created rhythms using unconventional objects as musical instruments. This residency is based on the professional Company’s performance “Rhythm & Wheels: Around the World.” Buckets were used as drums, which was a great release of aggression for students with behavioral issues. At the conclusion of the residency, students had the opportunity to give three performances, including one at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the Cleveland STEM School Fair.
This second year residency at St. Rocco School saw a 55% increase in the number of students participating in the program, with the entire student population of 200 students participating. During the first semester, Kindergarten through the
fourth grade participated in our “Babes in Toyland” residency in which they performed their own version of this story and took
a field trip to see the Dancing Wheels Company’s performance of “Babes in Toyland” at the St. Ignatius Breen Center for the
Performing Arts. During the second semester, students in the second, fifth, and eighth grades participated in our “Rhythm &
Wheels” residency where they took unconventional materials and learned to make music while dancing with these materials.
Student success story…Anthony, one of Emma Parkers fourth grade students, had issues with hyperactivity, so getting him to focus on group projects presented several difficulties for Emma, his classroom teachers, and other students. He would run around the gymnasium, talk back, and engage other students to follow his disruptive behavior. In order to channel this energy in a positive way, Emma challenged him to learn the role of Barnaby, one of the main characters of our student production. Immediately Anthony’s attitude changed and he became focused and extremely involved. The role of Barnaby was the sneaky, greedy townsman who wanted to steal the fair maiden away for her money. Anthony and Emma discussed how he could turn this story into movement, and he suggested a “sneaky type of walk” that was perfect for the part. For the production, Barnaby’s character has two “sidekicks,” Gonzorgo and Rodriego. Anthony took his role as the leader in this trio seriously and helped his “sidekicks” not only learn their choreography, but to become better listeners and leaders in class. Watching this transformation of Anthony from last year’s third grade class to his leadership role this year has showcased how giving students a purpose in class can change their attitude. Anthony’s father commented on how much he had changed at home as well. He became excited to come to school knowing he had dance class that day.
In a pilot residency program with Julie Billiart School, we are proving once again that our programs can benefit everyone and
inclusion in the arts is so critically important especially in a school that has 97% of its students on the Autism Spectrum. We
used lessons of tolerance and inclusion from our “Daring to be Dumbo” program to allow students to express their emotions
through dance. Students learned patterns in choreography based on excerpts from the Company’s repertory dance “Daring
to be Dumbo.” In the original dance, Dumbo was a high school girl who was bullied because she did not look like the other
students. These choreographic patterns represented the various emotions the characters experienced in the dance. Students
could use these movements to communicate how they were personally feeling during the residency. Some students were given
speaking roles to help improve memory retention and throughout the residency students learned how to work together and
respect one another.
For the eighth consecutive year, Old Trail School in Akron, Ohio invited the Dancing Wheels School back to teach life lessons
from our Helen Keller residency to their third grade students. In a week-long residency, students were taught the DO’s and
DON’T’s of meeting a person with a disability and what it is like for a person with a disability in the arts. During the course
of the week students learned roles as either a narrator, or a dancer. They spent time researching important and little known
facts about Helen Keller’s life, and learning to spell their names in American Sign Language, and drawing their own names in
Braille configurations. The student dancers also learned a routine from the Vaudeville section of the Company’s story ballet
“Helen Keller: A Tribute to Her Teacher,” which they performed in front of the entire school including
family and friends as part of the Dancing Wheels Company performance on
the final day of the residency. During the finale, Dancing Wheels Company
members were joined by the 3rd graders for a performance that proved to be a
memorable experience for all!
The Dancing Wheels Company & School continued its tradition of offering inclusive summer workshops for adults and
children. In July 2014, the 22nd annual Youth Arts Camp was reformatted as a three-week camp. Students were given
comprehensive instruction in dance, visual arts and theatre. Students visited the Museum of Modern Art Cleveland where
they were able to tour the exhibits, create their own stencils, screen print t-shirts, and participate in creating flags that
were displayed at the museum. The students were also invited to the Cleveland Zoo where they participated in a guided,
educational “scavenger hunt.” The three weeks culminated with a student performance for family and friends to showcase
what the students learned in the three areas of art.
In June 2015, the 23rd annual Adult Summer Dance Workshop celebrated the 25th anniversary of the American’s with
Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Company’s upcoming 35th anniversary. This year’s workshop was themed around the five
principles of the ADA: employment, transportation, public accommodations, education
and communication / technology. Over the course of five days the students worked on
integrated dance using ballet and modern techniques taught by Company Rehearsal
Director Catherine Meredith. Improvisation was also used to enforce the ideas of creative
arts and social awareness. During improvisation students
were placed into groups and asked to create dances
based on the ADA principles. Teacher training was
also taught, providing students with knowledge
of how to properly teach and work in an
integrated dance setting. “Walking on
Clouds,” part of the Dancing Wheels
Company’s repertory, was set on the
students in addition to a new piece
entitled “Differential Linguistics.”
Exploration of sign language
and movement possibilities were
fused together to demonstrate
the effects of communication.
“For the Young & Young at Heart” October 2014
Students from Dancing Wheels’ Performance Ensemble
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture $50,262
We acknowledge the citizens of Cuyahoga County for their support through Cuyahoga Arts & Culture
Cleveland Foundation $45,00
Ohio Arts Council $34,582
The Honor Project Trust
$15,000
Bruening Foundation
$10,000
The George Gund Foundation $20,000
The Kennedy Center VSA
$11,000
National Endowment for the Arts
$10,000
The Kuhn Family Foundation
$10,000
The Nord Family Foundation
$7,000
The Dancing Wheels Company & School
Wishes to Thank All Our Generous Sponsors & Donors for
Keeping Our Wheels in Motion During Our 2014/15 Season!
Caterpiller Foundation
Parker Hannifin Foundation
George W. Codrington Foundation
The Spaeth Family Foundation
The Kennedy Center VSA
Target Foundation
Nordson Corporation Foundation
The Sherwin-Williams Company
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture’s “Creative Culture Grant”
For the “Daring to be Dumbo” Documentary & Outreach Program
We thank the residents of Cuyahoga County who voted for our project!
ABC Therapy Ltd, Wendy Campbell
Marty Adams & Barbara Visocky-Adams
Applied Industrial Technologies
Axson Family Foundation
Harry K. Fox &
Emma R. Fox Charitable Foundation
Brian J. Jungeberg & Dr. Kelly Becker
KeyBank
Cuyahoga County Board of
Developmental Disabilities
Kottler Metal Products Inc., Barry Feldman
Thomas P. & Marita Gilligan
Samuel & Maria Miller Foundation
William Dorsky & Cornelia Hodgson
Mobility Works
James & Edna Fletcher
Michael Pender Fund
Robert Marx
John & Debbie Voso
David & Donna Axson
Janice McCullough Ridgeway
Michael & Kitti Drops
David & Inez Myers Foundation
Robert Fletcher & Mary Verdi-Fletcher
The James B. Oswald Company
William Koeblitz
Marilyn Schneider
Bonnette B. Kurlander
Bahman Sharif
James E. Bennett III
Mickie K. McGraw
Paige Fielding & Ivana Carson-Fielding
Michael & Margaret Glaros
James & Karen Dakin
Lee & Karen Lazar
Cherl Glass-Schell
Joyce Penhallurick
Robert & Lauri Knable
Barbara S. Robinson
Jeffrey Glover
Marilyn Schneider
Armin & Charlotte Guggenheim
Joulia Shuk
Melissa L. Hughes
Lisa Torres
W. Benoy & Suzanne M. Joseph
Alan & Marjorie Westendorf
Jean Mader
Kerry Agins
Mary Bender
Anonymous
Phyllis & Bob Benjamin
Robert & Susan Barkett
Karen Bennett
Edward & Barbara Bell
Leigh A. Bennett
Jennifer Bobkoskie
Bernice A. Bolek
Tom Antonello & Ms. Sandy Nero
Cakes to You, LLC Debbi Stanicki
Ronald F. Apple
Dr. Hillel Chiel and Elizabeth K. Dreben
James Banda
Kathleen Hocevar & Susan Chute
Dr. Brian Bethune & Michael Bargas
Charles & Patricia Clapper
Barbara M. Barstow
John & Kathy Cubar
Sheldon & Marilyn Baskin
Audrey P. Declement
Joyce M. Becker
Lynn Deering
Nicholas & Aulikki Dieglio
“For the Young & Young at Heart” October 2014
(Left to Right) Frank Polk, Kristin Knabel, Mary Verdi-Fletcher
Dezare Foster, Tanya Ewell, Samantha Fox
Janet R. Herman
Sherri Green
Franklin Hickman
Joseph W. Haas
Darren Hilliard
Paul Haber
Henry Douglas
Robert & Audrey Haynes
Monica Ducic
Joy Henderson Diaz
Jeffery & Jennifer Epifano
Mary Hout
Lorraine M. Erker
Bryan Ice
Don Evans
Donald & Judith Jacobson
William & Julianne Everett
James Alprin Jewelers Inc.
Emily R. Fein
Lynn Johnson
Dr. & Mrs. D. Roy Ferguson
Jacqueline Jones
Evelyn & Robert Finley
W. Benoy and Suzanne M. Joseph
In Memory of Jim Skerl
H Savory Fitz-Gerald Rorimer
Brian Fletcher
Donna L. Flynt
Lynne E. Ford
Jenn Foster
Bruce & Stacy Friedman
Sue Gedrich
G. Gifford & Mary Ann Dyer
Linda M. Gratz
Maria Jukic
Lawrence & Nancy Ann Kaiser
Joelyn & Philip Karlson
Diane Keenen
Doreen Kelleher
Scott & Amy Kuhn
Meredith King
Robert & Jean Kloos
Bridget Knight
Bill Koblitz & Laura Kennedy
Matt Radicelli & Rock The House
Thomas & Dana Kromer
Michael L. Rahanian
Kevin & Dana Kuhn
Kevin & Diane Rhodes
Edwin & Carla Kuhn
In Memory of Blaise Ipsaro
Sarojini Roa
Amie LaBahn
Jim Sack
David & Sharon Lockman
Elizabeth A. Loeffler
Thomas & Ann Maher
M.C. Mobility Systems Inc., Stacy Gay
Bronwyn Garner
Shelly Lazarus & Ned Grossman
Melissa Lewis Upton Pearce & Laurie Marshall
Felicia Martinez
Jan McCarthy
Pamela Jean McConnell
Louis A. McGann
Catherine Meredith
Katie Mills
Diane Molyet
Joan M. Morehouse
Koko P. Morikawa
Gary Murphy
Julie Okuley
Michael & Patricia Otter
Dylan Pattennaude
Mark & Judith Pestak
Mary L. Platko
Joyce Pope
Mary Reynolds Powell & Douglas Powell
Andrew & Charlene Press
Brian Pritchard
Dick Russ
Patricia Sankovic
Jim Scottosanti
Krista Searles
Pamela Semanik
Eileen Shepard
Jeffery & Debbi Stanicki
Teresa Stengel
Steve Sucato
Manfred & Ingeborg Timpe
BobTomsich
Jamie Trzebuckowski
Thomas & Margaret M. Verdi
Patricia Verdi
Stephanie Washlock
Michael Welch
Kathy C. Wendorff
Jeffrey M. Wolens
John Wright
Hilarie Yankello
Barbara Joan Zeitz
Linda Zimmerman
Rose A. Zitiello
Ronald J. Zybura
Lisa Zydowicz
Bruce & Stacy Friedman
“Donors as of time of print”
We Acknowledge and thank our Board of Directors on
Reaching a 100% Contribution Level for the 2014/15 Season!
4th Street Theatre
Cain Park
ABC Therapy
Driftwood Catering
African Safari Wildlife Park
Ensemble Theatre
Akron Arts Museum
Fleming’s
Akron RubberDucks
Rock the House
Amazone Family Entertainment Center
Cindy Finch
Ambiance
Elec Simon
Amramp, Inc.
Funke Hair Body Soul
Aurora School of Music
Ghostly Manor Thrill Center
b.a. Sweetie Candy Company
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Beachland Ballroom and Tavern
Improv Comedy Club & Restaurant
Beauty Secrets
International Women’s Air and Space Museum
Bistro on Main
Jeanitas Dance & Actionwear, Inc.
Body Wave Pilates
Suzanne & Benoy Joseph
Bunker Hill Golf Course
Kalahari Resorts
Cakes to You
Kevin & Dana Kuhn
Cassidy Theatre
L’Albatros
CCM Rental
Ladies and Gentlemen Salon and Spa
Cibreo
Lake County Captains
Cleveland Bontanical Gardens
Lockkeepers
Cleveland International Film Festival
Luca Italian Cuisine
Cleveland Metroparks
M.C. Mobility Systems, Inc.
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Masonic Temple
Cleveland Play House
Miller Boat Line
Cleveland Whiskey, LLC
Motter’s Music House
Creekside Restaurant & Bar
Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland
Dante
New Creation Interiors
Dante Lucci Salon
Julie Okuley
Disney
Paladar
Dale Dong (Photographer)
Pat O’Brien’s Wines, Spirits, & Gourmet Foods
Dragonfly Percussion
Petitti Garden Centers
Pickwick & Frolic Restaurant and Club, Home to Hilarities
The Jump Yard
Playhouse Square
The Locksmith Hair Studio
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Marchetti Co./Scoperta Importing Co, Inc.
Puma Yoga
The Western Reserve Historical Society
Luke Rinderknecht
TNT Tanning
Patty Sankovic
Trolley Tours of Cleveland
Shaw Festival
Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse
Shula’s 2 Steak and Sports
Winspire
Steven Spaeth
Mary Verdi-Fletcher
Stocker Arts Center
YogaKids International
The Cleveland Orchestra
Paul Wehn (Videographer)
The Dancing Wheels Company & School greatly appreciates the Generous In Kind Donations
That Make Our Events a Tremendous Success!
It takes an army of volunteers to keep our wheels moving. These dedicated individuals have donated their time to stuff and
label envelopes, hang decorations, bake desserts, usher guests to their seats and attend after-hour meetings just to name a few of
the many things they do for us. We could not execute so many fabulous events without them!
Mary Verdi-Fletcher
Margie Glaros
G. Michael Bargas
Suzanne M. Joseph
Becky Butler
Dana Kuhn
Wendy Campbell
Bob Marx
Kitti Drops
Mark Mindlin
Meghan Drops
Nancy McSeveney
Linda Evans
Julie Okuley
Dezaré Foster
Joyce Pope
Jennifer Foster
Julia Galletta
Deborah Sandifer
Dr. Brian Bethune
Gretchen Kennedy
Jolie Cain
Felicia Martinez
Bob Fletcher
Alex Martinez
Don Evans
Judy Pestak
Sean Gilbert
Brian Pritchard
Mike Glaros
Jan McCullough Ridgeway
Farideh Iranpour
“Babes in Toyland” December 2014
The Dancing Wheels Company