Alana Wallace of Chicago, Illinois, was crowned Ms Wheelchair America 2008 last Saturday night in Washington, DC.
Alana founded Dance>Detour in 1995 to develop and promote artistic collaborations between artists with and without disabilities working together to explore dance movement as equals. She works to expand the concept of what dance is and who can be involved. Wallace, an African-American woman who contracted polio at the age of five, has always believed she was born to perform. She has found that the wheelchair is a beautiful accessory that affords her a unique opportunity to embrace and express dance.
Alana has been featured in collaborative dance pieces with renowned companies such as Mikhail Baryshnikov’s White Oak Dance Project, The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Bryant Ballet, The Chicago Moving Company and MOMENTA. In 1998, she was featured in the Emmy Award-Winning PBS television documentary “Dance From the Heart” hosted by Ben Vereen. She conducts movement workshops with ArtsConnect, and lectures and performs nationwide. Thus, Alana proudly displays her artistry in dance, (as well as in singing, and acting) – as a testament to the talents and abilities of performers with disabilities. Adding to her creative endeavors, Wallace has recently launched CRIPmark Cards –- a glittering greeting card line that showcases images of people with disabilities that are positive and beautiful!
We wish Alana a wonderful year!
