A Chance to Dance

North Pointe Ballet’s A Chance to Dance Program is an initiative dedicated to providing ballet performance experiences for individuals with extra-sensory and other special needs. This program is an integral piece of North Pointe Ballet’s ongoing mission to make classical ballet accessible to everyone.

NPB is committeed to providing program participants with meaningful dance experiences that allow them to work alongside dancers in the professional company as well as their typical peers. Dancers who are a part of the A Chance to Dance Program are cast in specific roles important to the story of the ballet, attend rehearsals in the studio as well as in the theater, wear professional costumes, spend time backstage with their fellow dancers, and have curtain call like any cast member all while having the necessary accommodations to support their needs in a safe and welcoming environment.

North Pointe Ballet hopes that the A Chance to Dance Program, paired with its sensory-friendly performances, will spread awareness within the theater-going community and help to send the message that the theater is a welcoming place for anyone who wants to experience the thrill of live performance.

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Performance Opportunities for Dancers of Diversability

Cinderella
September 2021. Date, time and location of performance to be announced. Registration and rehearsal dates and times to be announced.
The Nutcracker
December 2021. Magnificat Center for the Performing Arts in Rocky River, date and time to be announced. Lorain Palace Theater in Lorain, date and time to be announced. Registration and rehearsal dates and times to be announced.

Join our mailing list and select the A Chance to Dance/Sensory Friendly Initiative when signing up to stay up to date on registration announcements for performance opportunities.

How to Participate

Program Partnerships

In 2018, NPB expanded its A Chance to Dance Program by creating partnerships with two organizations: Murray Ridge School located in Elyria in Lorain county and Beyond Words: Music and Dance Center located in North Royalton in Cuyahoga County.

Complete paperwork for participation in this program

Community Division

In 2019, NPB established a Community Division for its A Chance to Dance Program to include individuals in the community who wish to audition to participate in productions.

If you or your child has extra-sensory and other special needs and would like to audition for an NPB ballet, register for an audition here.

[My daughter] loved being a part of the amazing performance! [She] has developed a whole new outlook on children with special needs. It has been a wonderful experience for her.

Parent of a Beyond Words Music & Dance peer modelMagnificat production of The Nutcracker

[The] peer models were so kind, patient, caring, and understanding. I was so impressed and felt so comfortable [as a parent]. Thank you for putting a smile on my child’s face! Deja really loved it!

Mother of Deja ShermanMurray Ridge School dancer in The Lorain Palace Theater production of The Nutcracker

The peer model was very sweet to [my daughter]! The entire cast was fantastic to our kids. Just thank you for the opportunity to do this! It’s a dream come true from all of us. The sensory performances allow all families to feel comfortable bringing their kids/adults with disabilities and that is priceless!

Sarah, parent of Beyond Words Music & Dance dancerMagnificat production of The Nutcracker

Everyone deserves a chance to perform and participate in the arts if they wish… The arts can be so helpful and therapeutic to everybody. It’s been really cool to see the effect that ballet has had on both the audience members and guest performers during the sensory-friendly shows.

North Pointe Ballet peer modelThe Lorain Palace production of The Nutcracker

A Chance to Dance Partners

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