Asolo Rep to Present Presents Kaleidoscope Performance of HEROE, 5/12

Asolo Repertory Theatre's Education & Outreach department presents this year's culminating performance of the award-winning Kaleidoscope program for people with disabilities.

Inspired by HERO: The Musical performing during the month of May at Asolo Rep, the participating artists have explored the question, "What is your superpower?" In response they have created three short pieces, which will perform together in a one-night-only performance on Monday, May 12 at 6pm, with a reception following at 7pm. The performance will be held on the Mertz stage, on the set of HERO. Tickets are free, and seating is general admission, but reservations are recommended. To reserve tickets, please call the box office at 941-351-8000 or visit www.asolorep.org.

Since early February, Asolo Rep's teaching artists have been working with individuals with disabilities, making regular visits for workshops and rehearsals over a 12-week residency period. The residencies explored storytelling through acting, movement, music and visual arts, and encouraged participants to discover creative and personal expression through theatre. As the participants developed their theater skills, they created their own collaborative original piece.

This program, which was awarded the WEDU Be More Enriched Award in 2013, was founded by Broadway veteran Ann Morrison.This year's artists come from four partner organizations and schools: Bayshore High School, Community Haven for Adults and Children, Easter Seals Southwest Florida, and Oak Park School.

"These groups combine to create a model of what true collaboration and cooperation are, and they do so through laughter, creativity and heart. I feel tired after a whole day with them, and yet this is the best tired ever! Every year with Kaleidoscope our artists grow; we all do," said Ann Morrison.

"The performances these artists will share are their own creation," says Education & Outreach Director Kathryn Moroney. "Kaleidoscope's participants don't receive a script to perform: the stories they choose to tell come from their own experiences, from discussions shared around the theatre work they have been exploring for months, and from their own imaginations. This means we will experience a truly unique performance on the Mertz stage. Often we hear that the work at Asolo Rep inspires the community. But just as often our community inspires us as well, and in the case of the Kaleidoscope artists we could not be more proud to give over our stage to their performance for a very special evening."

Kaleidoscope is sponsored by the Virginia White Clark Fund of the Bank of America Client Foundation, Bernard and Mildred Doyle Charitable Trust, Jerome and Mildred Paddock Foundation, Eluned and Edward Russell Foundation, Fine Arts Society of Sarasota, and Carol and Mort Siegler.