Making a Difference Through Dance
As conscionable artists, dancers understand the power of their influence on issues as far-reaching as politics, health, civil rights and prejudice. Because of this, social action has become a cornerstone in the dance industry. Many retailers, competitions and, of course, non-profit organizations have gotten in on the act, producing charity events and fundraisers for causes of their choosing. Studios, with their burgeoning communities of eager, community-conscious teens, can capitalize on the trend and not only improve their business, but live up to the true artist spirit by shaping young minds for the betterment of society. Read on to see who’s making a difference through dance, and how your studio can participate.
Performance Ops
Studio directors looking to give back to their community can pair up with charitable organizations to get the ball rolling. One of the most popular efforts is to put on a show that will raise funds through ticket sales and donations. Dancers Responding to AIDS hosts a large-scale performance two to three times each year in locations across the U.S. called “Stars of Tomorrow…Giving Back Today.” DRA invites 10-12 studios to perform in a full-scale theatrical production, complete with stage management and professional lighting design, which also features guest artists from concert dance companies. The dancers participate in a photo shoot (they can later buy the pictures to further help DRA), tech rehearsal and show-stopping finale number. “This show offers students a performance opportunity that’s not a competition and not just a recital either,” says DRA Founding Director Denise Roberts Hurlin. “They spend the day with us and we really treat them like they’re a professional company. It’s a great way for the dancers to come together and sell those tickets.” Many studios host their own live shows to benefit DRA or other dance-affiliated charities. Studios with built-in performance spaces could easily raise funds without a large overhead for renting a theater and paying backstage crews. If a studio needs to rent space on a low budget, local high schools or churches make ideal locations for charity performances. For example, Pennsylvania-based modern dance group, Annex Dance Company, held a charity performance called “Dancers Unite” in April at a high school in their home state to benefit DRA, with several other guest companies, including Artists in Rhythm, Spiritoso Ballet and Men on Tap. And if hosting a separate benefit concert is too large an undertaking, studios can simply set up a donation jar at their recital, and direct audience members to its location.
More Than a Trophy
Studios involved in competition can all-too-easily fall into the trophy-hungry trap looking for the next platinum ribbon, high score or special award. Competitions such as New York City Dance Alliance, Dance Masters of America, Tremaine and a great many others have found ways to engage students in more sportsmanlike behavior, while also giving back to a worthy cause. This year, Joe Tremaine has launched the “Ultimate Tremaine Dance Experience,” where any studio attending a regional convention may participate in a fundraising competition for DRA. Whichever dance school raises the most money by July 1 wins an opportunity to go to New York and take master classes, see a Broadway show and meet the performers backstage - and film a promotional DVD through Scene Interactive, a website for creating online demo reels. Starbound, United States Tournament of Dance and On Stage NY have also joined in on the charity effort, pairing with Power of SHINE™ by selling color-coded wristbands at their events for the Dancers Care Foundation and DRA. By simply competing in the new Revolution Talent Competition (a sister company of Starpower), studios can contribute to the Larry King Cardiac Foundation. A portion of their registration fees at each of the 11 cities of the 2008 tour are donated to the charity so that patients without funding can receive cardiac procedures and operations. "Once we've raised enough money and we give someone a heart operation, we're going to put their picture and their story up on our website," says Revolution National Director Kacy Combs. "People will be able to see exactly what they did to help somebody stay alive." Combs hopes to expand tour dates in 2009 to help fund even more procedures. “Young dancers today have a community-oriented spirit and they act on sentiment,” says Power of SHINE™ founder Elizabeth Barry. “These kids want to save the world through dance, and the wristband becomes a statement of their support.” Studios can participate by purchasing wristbands made by Costume Gallery, Dansco, Algy and Satin Stitches on SequinsDirect.com wholesale and reselling the accessories to give back to either the designated charities or one of their choice (one dollar per wristband is automatically donated through purchase on the website).
The full company of DRA's Stars of Tomorrow...Giving Back TOday! Dance Invitational at Purchase College (february, 2008) sponsored by Capezio.
Photo by Christopher Economakos
Beyond the Money<br>While there are a plethora of opportunities for studios to fundraise, there are other ways to make a difference in people’s lives. Worcester, Massachusetts–based studio Charlotte Klein Dance Center has for the last 20 years performed in a holiday show for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization. “Each year we prepare a 30-40 minute program,” says Klein. “It’s a lot of work but it feels good to do something for less fortunate boys and girls. My students see the audience light up because of their smiling faces. I think it makes the dancers appreciate what they have.” Interested studios can call an organization, such as a nursing home or hospital to see about entertaining to simply brighten up people’s spirits.
Others completely unaffiliated with dance have found unconventional ways to connect with the community and raise awareness for their cause. DestinyMaker founder Glenn Fenster, who has biked thousands of miles over the last three years to support Epilepsy foundations, announced in March plans to team up with the American Dance Therapy Association to create dance4epilepsy. “I wanted to branch out from cycling as a means of awareness,” says Fenster. “I thought dance was a perfect union. I believe anyone gifted should give back. Since each of us is gifted in a certain manner, we can all do our part.” Fenster plans to offer scholarships to children who are either in dance or want to be in dance that have epilepsy. Funds will also be funneled to dance organizations that promote and support epileptic children who use dance as a form of therapy. Studio directors interested in linking up with dance4epilepsy can do their part by either sponsoring Fenster’s bike rides, or performing in events along his route. As of press-time, Fenster was in talks with studios in Denver to kick off his third annual ride in April with a 10-12 minute mini-show.
Studio Benefits
While it is cathartic to fundraise and perform for a good cause, studio owners are running a business and must consider a cost/benefit analysis before entering into charitable efforts. Luckily, involvement in charity often results in wonderful marketing opportunities. The Sheffield School of Dance in Mobile, Alabama, hosted a benefit performance for DRA a couple years ago, which resulted in tremendous participation from the community, as well as publicity through morning television shows and newspaper articles.
Beyond increasing their visibility, studio directors are creating more diverse performance opportunities for their dancers. By broadening students’ horizons, teachers are not only preparing their dancers for a potential future in professional dance, but also living up to their responsibilities as artists and role models. “Every teacher obviously has a greater role than just teaching technique,” says Hurlin. “There are very simple ways to engage kids to make a difference. It brings an awareness to them that’s outside of what they’re doing in class and competition.”
Get Involved! Contact the featured dance charities to get started:
Dancers Care Foundation 609-242-7747; www.dancerscare.org
Dancers Responding to AIDS/Broadway Cares 212-840-0770; www.dradance.org
DestinyMaker/dance4epilepsy 305-788-2761; www.destinymaker.org Power of SHINE™/SequinsDirect 718-204-0002; www.sequinsdirect.com