Inlet Dance Theatre presents 'What Do You Do With a Problem?'

This dance theatre adaptation of the No. 1 New York Times bestseller “What Do You Do With a Problem?” is a powerful story for all ages about a child facing a persistent problem. At first, the problem feels overwhelming, growing larger the more it’s ignored. But when the child bravely confronts it, the problem reveals unexpected possibilities.

This moving production invites audiences to see challenges in a new light—reminding us that within every problem may lie a hidden opportunity… and a chance to discover something meaningful about ourselves.

Inlet Dance Theatre

Founded in 2001 in Cleveland by Executive/Artistic Director Bill Wade, Inlet embodies his belief that the experiences of viewing, training, responding to, and performing dance can foster personal growth and development. In 25 years, Inlet transformed from a small dance company with local impact into an organization that reaches people internationally.

Inlet’s ensemble-based culture intentionally focuses on craftsmanship and mastery, employing a collaborative creative process to develop new work. Inlet’s collaborative creative process is more inclusive than the traditional autocratic leadership hierarchy, resulting in work that is surprisingly diverse. Each piece in Inlet’s repertory is the direct result of the artists in the studio at the time the work was created, often including artists of other media.

All of Inlet’s repertory speaks creatively about human life issues and does so in a life-giving manner. The company presents a wide aesthetic range of works that speak to what could be, rather than only what is.

Finally, Inlet develops and teaches people from the inside out across all of its design-centric programming. Performing and educating are viewed as two sides of the same coin, not separate entities. Inlet engages people in dance-making, allowing them to focus on technique acquisition, collaboratively create new work, respond critically, build connections, and develop performance skills. Inlet’s technique foundations, rooted in American Modern Dance, include Erick Hawkins-based release technique, Alison Chase/Pilobolus-based nontraditional partnering, and structured improvisation. This unique combination is a platform that enables personal transformation for everyone involved.

In contrast to an industry where people are often used to further dance, Inlet Dance Theatre is committed to using dance to further people.