Disabled and Non-Disabled Dancers Create Physical Poetry

Victory Gardens Theater's Crip Slam Series will present Heidi Latsky Dance, in an Alliger Arts Production, titled Gimp (excerpts) - a special evening of interconnected new works inspired by the expressive physicality of both disabled and able-bodied dancers-Thursday, May 15th at 7:30 pm at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago.

Gimp is an evening of unexpected movement portraits, featuring a roster of performers who embody unique physical virtuosity. New York-based Heidi Latsky and her celebrated company examine the uncompromising ways people are often identified or defined by their physicality. By illuminating limbs, Gimp accentuates uncommon beauty, mystery and grace, and the ways in which our bodies support and rebel. Outstanding technique, raw beauty and the physical poetry of risk-taking combine for an elegant landscape of portraits.

"Victory Gardens and the Access Project have selected Gimp to challenge perceptions of mobility and celebrate the universality of our experiences,"said Sandy Shinner, Associate Artistic Director, Victory Gardens Theater. "Gimp is a wonderful vehicle for dialogue, outreach, and community engagement, as it confronts audiences with their preconceptions, challenging us to re-think accepted notions about dance, performance, and body image."

Gimp (excerpts) is wheelchair accessible and will be signed and audio described. Please mention any physical accommodation needs at time of purchase. Tickets include a free post-show reception with members of Heidi Latsky Dance. For more information, go to www.heidilatskydance.net/limb.html.

Tickets are $15. For tickets and information, call the Victory Gardens box office, 773-871-3000, or purchase online at www.VictoryGardens.org

In addition to the public performance, members of Heidi Latsky Dance will present a Master Class exploring Heidi Latsky's method of work, followed by an interactive discussion on the perceptions of dance, dancers, and their bodies. This event, co-hosted by Victory Gardens Theater and Access Living's Arts & Culture Project, is Wednesday, May 14, from 5:30 to 8 pm at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater. The Master Class is open to dancers and anyone interested in dance. Participation is free but space is limited. Please R.S.V.P. with Ginger Lane at Access living at 312-640-2187 or glane@accessliving.org. Please specify any accommodation needs when
reserving your spot. This program is made possible with generous support from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs

Now in its 15th year, the Victory Gardens Access Project is a nationally recognized model outreach effort designed to involve people with
disabilities in all aspects of theater, both on and off the stage. Through the program, Victory Gardens has been Chicago's earliest adopter of assistive services such as providing Sign Language interpreted performances, as well as captioned and audio-described shows, large-print and Braille programs, pre-show Touch Tours of the theater and set, dedicated wheelchair seating, and TTY phone lines.

To receive updates on Crip Slam Sundays events and all Access Project activities, subscribe to the Access Project Newsletter by calling
773-549-5788 ext 2131 (voice), 773-871-0682 (TTY), or sending email to information@victorygardens.org.

Originally developed by Remains Theater with funding from the Lila Wallace Readers Digest Resident Theater Initiative, the Victory Gardens Access Project is supported by Kraft Foods, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, the Harry S. Black & Allon Fuller Fund, Daniel Efner, the Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation, and the Samuel A. Burstein Family Foundation.

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