Alana Wallace founded Dance>Detour in 1995 to develop and promote artistic collaborations between artists with and without disabilities working together to explore dance movement as equals. Wallace contracted polio at the age of five, but always believed she was born to perform. She says the wheelchair is "a beautiful accessory" that affords her a unique opportunity to embrace and express dance.
Wallace recently starred in the first TV commercial in a national campaign for employing people with disabilities, called "Think Beyond the Label." We took the opportunity to ask her a few questions.
IAC: What is dance?
Wallace: I would describe dance as "movement expression that comes from the soul." Physically integrated dance involves collaborations that include dancers of varying abilities who explore movement possibilities together as EQUALS.
IAC: Who can be involved?
Wallace: 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.
IAC: How does the public benefit when the State of Illinois supports Dance>Detour?
Wallace: The support that we receive from the Illinois Arts Council makes it possible for us to provide a wide range of program options which include main stage performances, lecture demonstrations, tailored workshops, and multi-level training for children and adults with varying abilities that otherwise could not be accomplished. Thus, we are able to provide the public-at-large with an opportunity to see that performers with disabilities EXIST and have significant contributions to make to the arts.
IAC: What does it mean to Think Beyond the Label?
Wallace: It means that "Labels don't tell the whole story." People go through life labeling each other: "the bald guy," "the girl in the wheelchair," etc. And as we know, labels can go from harmless to hurtful. So the clever message of the Think Beyond the Label commercial is: before you label someone, think twice about whether it truly pertains to their productivity in the workplace.
IAC: Where can people see you perform next?
Wallace: I will be appearing in an acting showcase of seven solo artists -- with and without disabilities -- on Wednesday, April 8, 2010, 8:00 pm, at Prop Theater (3502 N. Elston Avenue, Chicago, IL). Also, on April 14, 2010, Dance>Detour will be performing at Chicago State University at the Student Union Building (Rotunda Room, 9501 S. King Drive, Chicago, IL). For more information, email
dancedetour@aol.com.
IAC: Thank you. Interested readers may follow this link to view the commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/user/thinkbeyondthelabel.
