Asolo Rep to Host KALEIDOSCOPE: THE SPECTACULAR SENSATION EXTRAVAGANZA!

Asolo Rep's Education & Outreach department proudly presents Kaleidoscope: The Spectacular Sensation Extravaganza! on Monday, May 23, 2016 at 6pm in the Mertz Theatre, on the set of Asolo Rep's world premiere of Josephine. The performance is the culmination of this season's Kaleidoscope, an award-winning annual program founded by Broadway veteran Ann Morrison in 1995, which serves individuals with disabilities from local community organizations and schools to discover creative and personal expression through theatre.

This year's Kaleidoscope participants come from four partner organizations and schools: Bayshore High School, Community Haven for Adults and Children, Easter Seals Southwest Florida, and Oak Park School. Throughout the three months of each residency, participants explore storytelling through acting, movement, music and visual arts at Community Haven and Easter Seals under the guidance of Ann Morrison and Asolo Rep's Education and Outreach Apprentice Jenna Smoger, and at Bayshore High School and Oak Park School with Asolo Rep's Education and Outreach Specialist Ria Cooper.

"Bringing these artists to perform on our mainstage gives them an exciting opportunity to dream big," said Asolo Rep Education & Outreach Director Kathryn Moroney. "Because this year's artists will perform on the set of Josephine, we used Ernest Hemingway's description of Josephine Baker, 'She was the most sensational woman anyone ever saw' and challenged the Kaleidoscope participants to explore their own take on 'the most sensational ______ anyone ever saw.' On May 23 we will all witness the characters they've created in response."

"The Kaleidoscope program is an incredibly valuable experience for the individuals we serve here at Easter Seals Southwest Florida for many reasons," said Donald A. Herndon, Jr., Director of Adult Services Division & VIP Academy. "It provides a creative outlet for our consumers that teaches them different ways to express themselves and communicate. It also provides them with challenges that they work on individually and in teams. These challenges help the participants to develop skills that transition to many environments and that will assist them in becoming more capable and independent for the rest of their lives."

Tickets are free but reservations are required. To reserve tickets, please call the box office at 941.351.8000 or 800.361.8388 or visit www.asolorep.org.

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