The Dancing Wheels Company—America’s first and foremost physically integrated dance company—will bring its nationally acclaimed artistry and advocacy to Wheeling, West Virginia, with a Dance & Movement Workshop on Monday, April 6, 2026, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center, 1305 National Road.
Open to participants of all abilities, the workshop invites community members to experience the transformative power of movement guided by artists who have spent decades redefining what dance can be.
Oglebay Institute’s Director of Dance, Cheryl Pompeo is very excited about the workshop. She states, “Dancing Wheels is an extremely interactive experience that brings joy to both typical and atypical dancers.”
This is the second year that Oglebay Institute has held this workshop at Easterseals.
Dancing Wheels: A Legacy of Inclusion and Innovation
Founded in 1980 by Mary Verdi‑Fletcher, the first professional wheelchair dancer in the United States, Dancing Wheels has spent more than four decades championing the belief that if dance is an expression of the human spirit, it is best expressed by people of all abilities. What began as a groundbreaking vision has grown into one of the nation’s premier arts-and-disabilities organizations. The Company’s mission continues to center on:
- Enhancing integration and diversity in the arts
- Providing strong, creative role models for individuals with disabilities
- Challenging and erasing stereotypes about disability in professional artistic careers
- Elevating understanding, professionalism, and opportunity for dancers of all ability levels
Through performances, residencies, school assemblies, and workshops, Dancing Wheels has reached more than 6.5 million people worldwide, with appearances on CNN, Good Morning America, and the television special Christopher Reeve: A Celebration of Hope.
About the Workshop
The Wheeling workshop is designed to welcome dancers, movers, and curious beginners alike. Participants will explore expressive movement, rhythm, and collaborative choreography in an environment built on accessibility, creativity, and joy.
Event Details
- Date: Monday, April 6, 2026
- Time: 6:30–7:30 p.m.
- Location: Easterseals Rehabilitation Center, 1305 National Rd. Wheeling, WV
- Cost: $50 per student
- Scholarships: Are available. Call for more information
Registration is open now at oionline.com or by calling Oglebay Institute School of Dance 304‑242‑8807.
