Dance St. Louis Extended Residency Program
Dance St. Louis brings teaching artists from our performing companies for intensive three-week residencies each semester, at no cost to the students involved, culminating in free attendance at matinee performances. In 2010-2011, residencies with the Houston Ballet and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will reach more than 300 under-served middle and high school students at urban schools and community centers. Teaching artists present three weeks of classes that include not only dance technique but career exploration, information on healthy life styles, and links across the curriculum.
Hear what students and community members are saying about our unique, highly effective, and valuable program! Watch the video below:
The 2007-2008 season was the successful pilot for this on-going, multi-year project. Each year, Dance St. Louis plans to return to the same sites, reaching many dance students with multiple, intensive experiences. The four public schools are Carr Lane Visual and Performing Arts Middle School, McKinley Classical Junior Academy, University City High School, and Central Visual and Performing Arts High School. The two community centers are Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club and Jackie Joyner-Kersee Boys & Girls Club.
Instruction will include dance technique relating to the performing company in residence, as well as the history of modern dance, improvisation, collaboration, and healthy life styles for dancers. Students will also become familiar with career opportunities, both on- and off-stage, in the professional dance world. Those who show talent and motivation will receive assistance in pursuing their interests further.
Students will learn to place the dance forms into historical/cultural contexts and to critique dance performance using recognized aesthetic principles. Culminating activities will include performances by the students and attendance by the students with their families at full-length performances of the performing companies in residence.
Student interest and achievement will be measured in the following ways:
- Pre- and Post-Surveys will measure students’ knowledge of and interest in dance performance, cross-curricular connections, healthy life styles, and career opportunities in the performing arts.
- Students will submit written reviews of the dance performances they attend, demonstrating their ability to use critical thinking skills and fine arts vocabulary.
- Student dance performance skills will be observed and assessed by dance professionals, using NSAE-based standards, at the beginning and the end of each residency.
PAST RESIDENCIES
Tango Buenos Aires--Extended Residency Pilot
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater--Extended Residency Pilot
Shapiro & Smith Dance
DanceBrazil
Doug Varone and Dancers
Noche Flamenca
Paul Taylor Dance Company
Pilobolus Too
Miami City Ballet
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater