The year was 1986 – Chance to Dance was born. It began as a joint venture between Rhode Island State Council on the Arts and Dance Alliance of RI. The first schools were Barrington Elementary and Middle, Roger Williams Middle. Wickford Elementary, Jamestown, Wheeler and Moses Brown. 

The first performance took place at Roberts Auditorium (May 22, 1987) on the campus of Rhode Island College. SLEEQuE FEET became the outreach portion of the program, and “Can’t Stop Dancin’” became the signature piece for this group and through the years the show always finishes with this showpiece number. Chance to Dance was on the map.

The 1987-88 school year brought updates and changes. The program was invited to appear at Providence Performing Arts Center for the annual performance. The show began to take shape in the form of themes that connected the dances. Act II would also reflect something important about RI.  Children were invited to contribute artwork and writing.  Both kinds of student work appeared in the program book. Parent volunteers became a strong part of the program

The year also debuted FIRST NIGHT.  SLEEQuE FEET, from the previous January, were invited to the kick-off celebration. This collaboration continued for many more years until all the “acts” were professionals.

The 1988-89 school year brought more successes. PPAC invited us to use the performance space again. We had a permanent home to perform our annual show.  In-school coordinators became much more active in helping with classes and performances.   SLEEQuE FEET performed at First Night and at a regional conference for Physical Education and Dance.

1989-90 More local performances for SLEEQuE FEET. Classes performed at the Gov. Inauguration

1999 - 91 Two really big things happened this year. We had so many schools that we expanded to two performances. We also had our money caught in the banking crisis shut down. In order to keep expenses down we did one performance at Hope High school and another at PPAC. The show was the same but with two sets of kids. ALL SLEEQuE FEET performed in both shows.   

Another first was student designed commemorative T-shirts. Shana Davis of Jamestown held that honor.  Eryn Simon designed the SLEEQuE FEET shirt that is still the design that is used.    

1991-92 This year the enrollment of schools warranted 3 performances so all the students would have equal time on stage. There were two performances at Hope High School and one at Providence Performing Arts Center. 

1992-93  “Jump Feet First Into the Arts” was a new slogan created by Karen Mellor and is still used today. 

1993-94 This year Chance to Dance has 36 classes across the state. SLEEQuE FEET was still performing when asked at Conferences, meetings, Malls and Fairs. They even met during the summer to ready themselves for performances at these Fairs. Act II was most special because it addressed the Dreams, Hopes and Goals of the children. Most every child wrote a paragraph or more and the book was printed for us by G-Tech. Each school got a copy for their library. 

1994-95 A slight change in themes for the program took place this year. The faculty and staff felt it important that the students learned how their bodies and minds worked. Act I was devoted to the Active Body and Act II to the Creative Mind (Inventions)  Very Special Arts joined with their support, a very welcome member of our support network as it remains today. Chance to Dance is for ALL kids!

1995-96 The 10th Anniversary Year. Chance to Dance tributes Gene Kelly in the year of his death. To quote him, “Dance means Love! Dance means joy! Dance means dreams!” That is the essence of Chance to Dance  It was a great celebration when the reunion of all past SLEEQuE FEETers joined in on the last part of “Can’t Stop”. All through the years Avenue A was the Chance to Dance Band.   The T- shirt was not student designed and the back had Chance to Dance in MANY languages. The students were asked to supply how Chance to Dance looked in the language of their heritage. Awesome shirt.  

1996-97   

The World of Wonder was the theme for Act I. The show dealt with all the               things we take for granted but when we stop to think – WE WONDER. Act II was all about dance and music – Great theme for Chance to Dance.

1997-98

We dedicated this program to Doris Hollaway Abels. This fine lady and dancer wore many hats. She entertained all over the world, with her sister. Exploring the World was the theme for this school year. As Karen Mellor put it in her greeting in the program book Il faut aller voir which means – We must go and see. This quote is from Jacques Cousteau, the famous undersea explorer. 

1998-99

What two subjects could go together better than communication and writers? Although Dance can communicate without written or spoken words it is the entire field of communication that dictates what we do, how we do it and how we feel about it.    

1999 - 2000

The program was dedicated to Dr. Fannie Helen Melcer. She ran the dance program at Rhode Island College for many years and was devoted to giving children the opportunity to experience dance by doing and observing. 

2000 – 2001

Our fifteenth Anniversary year! Former SLEEQuE FEET were invited to join with the regular SLEEQuE FEET to close out the show. We had over 50 kids and young adults over the course of the three shows come up and celebrate ON STAGE with great outpouring from the audience At the end of this year Chance to Dance had to make some major adjustment. Diane Gualtieri and Karen Mellor both retired from Chance to Dance. Their real jobs were taking more and more time from their work. Breaking up was hard to do!

2001-2002

What would literacy for children be without the old nursery rhymes that in some ways told about the history of social situations. What better piece of RI history but the Blackstone River Valley Corridor. These were the themes for Act I and II respectively. Ed Rashed, who had been with the program since the second year agreed to become Musical Director. Helene began to look for someone to replace Karen and her administrative duties.

2002-2003

This year saw a budget crunch in the city of Providence. Mayor Cianci, who applauded the program was no long Mayor. The themes were Dance and Art Though the Ages. Many schools did wonderful Art Work depicting the era that they studied.  

2003-2004

Chance to Dance continued with two performances. Act I dances followed the decades from 00’s to the 90’s with SLEEQuE FEET covering the 50’s. Act II Explored the economy of Rhode Island, looking at the industry and jobs for the residents of the state.  

2004-2005

More changes for this year – Marty Sprague began to share the position of Artistic Director with Christena Murphy. At the same time Cindy LoSasso shared the Administrative duties with Helene Scheff.    

2005-2006

What a marvelous 20th Anniversary. Another SLEEQuE FEET reunion. Faculty and staff returning to be part of this historic occasion.  Helene and Marty gained Emeritus status and their duties decreased. (but never their interest). Christena also took over the duties of SLEEQuE FEET instructor and coordinator with Kerri Peterson as assistant.   

2006-2007

How do you follow a 20th anniversary year? Jump Feet First Into the Arts…that’s how! Act I had the students reading favorite books and then dancing about them. Act II was a favorite as they students looked at the sports and sporting events that went on in Rhode Island.  

2007-2008

As with any program that is honored with the longevity that Chance to Dance enjoys there were more changes. Kerri Peterson became Administrative Director. Kerri was aided by Helene Scheff,  just as Christena was aided by Marty Sprague. were the newest class accompanists. After this performance Ed Rashed announced his retirement from the program. Again, change moves us in new directions

2008-2009

This year saw more financial problems for the schools.   

We had a really innovative mini-program within the regular program. A group of professional choreographers came to the classes and sourced movement from the material that the students created. They then put this material into a dance piece that they then performed at the show to the delight of the students and the audience.  Brown University Dance team asked SLEEQuE FEET to perform and donated ½ the ticket sales to the program. Chance to Dance was the subject of a young ladies Senior Girl Scout project – She collected donations.

2009-2010

Into 24 years and counting through to 25! New this year was the addition of a development person who was diligent in looking for grants and ads for the program book. Katie Jasmin filled this role and also  became a Chance to  Dance Teacher. Once again, SLEEQuE FEET were guest of the Brown University Dance Team 

2010-2011

Stay tuned for the Silver Anniversary of Chance to Dance and all that is planned in a way to celebrate and to honor all who have made this work over the years

Stay tuned for the Silver Anniversary of Chance to Dance and all that is planned in a way to celebrate and to honor all who have made this work over the years.