Asolo Rep’s Education & Outreach department proudly presents Kaleidoscope: Heart and Soul on Monday, May 18, 2015 at 6pm in the Mertz Theatre

(SARASOTA, April 30, 2015) – Asolo Rep’s Education & Outreach department proudly presents Kaleidoscope: Heart and Soul on Monday, May 18, 2015 at 6pm in the Mertz Theatre. This season’s culminating performance of the award-winning Kaleidoscope program for people with disabilities will perform on the set of Asolo Rep’s world premiere of Luck Be a Lady: The Iconic Music of Frank Loesser, which opens May 1, and runs through May 24.

Asolo Rep’s acclaimed award-winning Kaleidoscope program, founded by Broadway veteran Ann Morrison, works with individuals with disabilities from community organizations and schools in the area 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 with the guidance of Ann Morrison and Asolo Rep’s Education and Outreach Specialist Ria Cooper.

“Kaleidoscope gives our clients a chance to think outside the box and accomplish things that might be out of their comfort zone,” said Community Haven’s Vice President of Operations Brad Jones. “After completing the Kaleidoscope program our clients show so much more confidence in their social skills. It has been amazing to see the collaboration grow over the years and the performances just get better and better. Community Haven is thrilled to be a part of it.”

“Our students have begun to care more about each other as individuals,” said Oak Park School teacher Mary Alice Hratko, who works with middle school students, the youngest participants in this year’s Kaleidoscope. “The exercises focus on respecting each student’s creativity and making sure each student is heard from and has an opportunity to participate. We are getting to know each other in a new and exciting way.”

“We are so proud to be able to provide a first performance opportunity for many of the Kaleidoscope participants, as well as a sustained creative outlet for veteran Kaleidoscope artists who now look forward to the return of the program each year,” said Asolo Rep Education & Outreach Director Kathryn Moroney. “While the culminating showcase cannot possibly express all of the creative discovery and growth we’ve seen from months of collaborative work, May 18 will be a truly special and inspiring evening to gather and celebrate these unique artists’ accomplishments.”

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 800.361.8388 or visit www.asolorep.org.

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, Fine Arts Society of Sarasota, Eluned and Edward Russell Foundation, and Carol and Mort Siegler.

Through the support of the community and the generosity if its donors, Community Haven empowers independence and inclusion in all aspects of society for children, teenagers, and adults with disabilities by meeting their needs for therapy, education, socialization, housing, fitness, vocational training, vocational training, job placement, and recreation.

Since 1946, Easter Seals Southwest Florida has been providing services to help abilities shine for individuals with disabilities and their families. Currently over 500 individuals are being served from ages 0 to 86 and counting! Key services include development and early intervention in our Lily Preschool and Children’s Therapy program, elementary after-school program and summer camp, VIP Academy High School and an Adult Day Program.  Life and job skills are developed and our on-site employment services cultivates employment opportunities and transitional support for our students and adults!

The mission of Oak Park School is to provide exceptional students with experiences leading to successful interactions with others, functional independence, and continued education or post-school employment suited to their individual needs.