By Brenda Bullara
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

Courtesy Photo
Bill Shannon puts his artistic
spin on street dancing.

Defying gravity while performing his Spatial Theory show in Houston at D!verseWorks, Bill "CrutchMaster" Shannon, a disabled choreographer and dancer, delivered a refreshing, street-style breakdancing and skateboarding presentation on crutches to a sold-out audience Sept. 15.

"Spatial Theory," appropriately titled, showcases Shannon performing myriad flight-like movements. He provides extraordinary entertainment using his crutches to lift him up and down and left to right, into precise spins and twists, launching himself into space dancing.

Shannon, a 31-year-old Pittsburgh native, lives in New York and describes himself as an interdisciplinary performer and media artist. His disability stems from degenerative arthritis.

As a teenager, he learned to breakdance, but from age 22 to 31, his legs could no longer support his body.

He said his art is a result of "creative necessity" a physical directive through on-the-spot events or situations. Catching people watching me, I would do quick turn-a-rounds, and that would turn into a dance move for my performances.

Performing to a DJ master mix of hip-hop, reggae and rap music, Shannon opens with a "revisit of his childhood" performing to the tune "Old Rain." He leaps and suspends himself on his crutches. Incorporating his skateboard to roll and spin around in rhythmic circles, he balances his arms and legs with his crutches to the music of a Kool & The Gang tune "Summertime."

Because Shannon's choreography is so physically demanding, "Spatial Theory" lasts approximately 30 minutes, not exactly a full evening. However, the content of the production makes up for the length of the program. After the show, Shannon shares with the audience how over the past 10 years he has turned his disability into an art. He has no patience for what he calls, "honey-dipped, boring choreography for disabled dancers."

Shannon was named the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council Fellow for 1997. He holds a bachelor of fine arts degree from the Art Institute of Chicago in interdisciplinary art. As CrutchMaster, he won the Mantis Breakin Competition at Planet 28, in Manhatten in 1997.

Shannon continues to soar and entertain audiences.

"I have learned how to make things work... to follow my soul and stay true to people in the most profound sense of staying true to myself," Shannon said.

"Spatial Theory" is entertaining and enlightening. Shannon's work is excellent and he is a joy to behold.

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