How to Dance in Ohio

How to Dance in Ohio
How to Dance in Ohio
Directed by	Alexandra Shiva
Produced by	Bari Pearlman; Alexandra Shiva
Cinematography	Laela Kilbourn
Edited by	Toby Shimin
Music by	Bryan Senti
Production; companies	Gidalya Pictures; Blumhouse Productions
Distributed by	HBO Documentary Films
Release dates	January 25, 2015 (Sundance Film Festival); October 26, 2015 (United States);
Running time	89 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

How to Dance in Ohio is a 2015 American documentary film directed by Alexandra Shiva. The film follows a group of teenagers with autism in Columbus, Ohio preparing for their first spring formal. They spend 12 weeks practising their social skills in preparation. HBO Documentary Films acquired television rights to the film eleven days before its world premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.^[1] The film premiered on HBO on October 26, 2015.^[2] Three young women are the main subjects of the documentary.

Shiva said of the film: "The dance is sweet and the dance is lovely, but the biggest challenge is how do we show you as a viewer that for Marideth to just say ‘Hi,’ that's an accomplishment?”^[3]

In January 2018, Playbill reported that a musical based on the documentary was under development by longtime Broadway producer Harold Prince, with music by composer Jacob Yandura and book & lyrics by Rebekah Greer Melocik.

Main participants[]

Marideth[]

Marideth Bridges is a 16-year-old who spends most of her time at home on her computer learning facts.

Jessica[]

Jessica Sullivan is a 22-year-old living at home with her parents. She works at a bakery with an autistic workforce. Her best friend is Caroline.

Caroline[]

Caroline McKenzie is a 19-year-old college student. She has a boyfriend who she met at Dr. Emilio Amigo’s family counselling center and is best friends with Jessica.

Reception[]

A reviewer for The Hollywood Reporter described the film as "touching"; remarking, "Compared to other documentaries about the condition, it’s heartening to see one that accentuates the positive so much, showing families where the parents have managed to keep their marriages intact, where no one gets bullied, no one is a savant, and there’s no mention of the debate around vaccines."^[4]

References[]

^ Lang, Brent (January 19, 2015). "Sundance: HBO Nabs 'How to Dance in Ohio'". Retrieved 3 February 2015.
^ Kang, Inkoo. "HBO's Upcoming Docs: Autism Portrait 'How to Dance in Ohio,' Urban Portrait 'San Francisco 2.0,' More". Indiewire. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
^ Genzlinger, Neil (25 October 2015). "Review: 'How to Dance in Ohio,' a Documentary on HBO, Follows Three Women on the Autism Spectrum". The New York Times.
^ Felperin, Leslie (30 January 2015). "'How to Dance in Ohio': Sundance Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 3 February 2015.

External links[]

Official website

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[1] Lang, Brent (January 19, 2015). "Sundance: HBO Nabs 'How to Dance in Ohio'". Retrieved 3 February 2015.

[2] Kang, Inkoo. "HBO's Upcoming Docs: Autism Portrait 'How to Dance in Ohio,' Urban Portrait 'San Francisco 2.0,' More". Indiewire. Retrieved September 1, 2015.

[3] Genzlinger, Neil (25 October 2015). "Review: 'How to Dance in Ohio,' a Documentary on HBO, Follows Three Women on the Autism Spectrum". The New York Times.

[4] Felperin, Leslie (30 January 2015). "'How to Dance in Ohio': Sundance Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 3 February 2015.

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