Cultivating the Next Generation of Arts Leaders
Dancers on stage at the James and Martha Duffy Performance Space. (Christopher Setter) |
The lights come up and six dancers in silhouette march
across the stage to the beat of the music. Their movements are confident and
sharply choreographed, sweeping through the James and Martha Duffy Performance
Space at the Mark Morris Dance Center to the applause of a full house, but this
isn’t the world-renowned Mark Morris Dance Group performing – the performers
are teens of the Arts Immersion program.
What is Arts
Immersion? It’s a tuition-free, nine-month program in which students ages
13-18 delve deeply into all aspects of arts administration and production in
addition to dance performance.
“This is a program which gives you that opportunity to grow
a lot as a dancer, choreographer, and overall as an artist, and it really
cultivates your creativity,” says Mengwe Wapimewah, a 2018-19 Arts Immersion
student.
Twenty participants are selected by written application and
letters of recommendation at the beginning of the school year. Throughout the
fall semester, they meet in a weekly class led by Teaching Artists Calvin A.
Rollins II and Nicole Restani.
In the spring semester, participants meet for an additional Saturday rehearsal as
they prepare for their final show that is student-driven, created, and
produced.
Calvin and Nicole have both worked as Teaching Artists in
the program since its inception in 2015. Calvin wants students “to gain the
confidence to become leaders within their peer group.” Activities such as
“choreographing, joining committees for their show, and teaching opportunities
help to shape their own experiences” in Arts Immersion. As Teaching Artists,
Calvin and Nicole “present [students] with as many resources as they need to add
to these experiences.” Calvin encourages “both new and returning students to
try something new within the program and to bring themselves to the process.”
Calvin A. Rollins II leads students in class. (Prince Lang) |
Nicole notes that the Arts Immersion students "get to know [Calvin and me] well and they get to know each other even better, building a foundation for trust, as creating art can be a vulnerable task." Over time, the students learn to take the lead and the Teaching Artists are there to keep them on track. "I hope that the students gain a better understanding of their world, and more importantly of themselves and their own artistic voices," Nicole says.
The Teaching Artists lead students in classes about dance education and composition in addition to modern dance technique. These classes are supplemented by workshops related to professional life in the dance field, using the Mark Morris Dance Group as a model. Current and former MMDG dancers and staff from administrative departments (company management and general management, development, finance, marketing, operations) introduce students to their respective areas of focus. Students then take what they’ve learned about the show production process, including choreography, costuming, event production, lighting design, and marketing, as they collaborate to create their final concert.
Students discuss their ideas with Mark Morris Dance Group staff. (Prince Lang) |
“This free program teaches students how to create their own
show, yes, but it simultaneously develops their critical thinking skills,
understanding of operations at a major cultural organization that they can
apply to any job, and provides a space where, socially and emotionally, they
can grow from teens to young adults,” says Alex Cook, Community Programs
Director of the Mark Morris Dance Group.
Providing meaningful artistic and educational experience for
students with a range of interests, this program importantly does not require an
advanced technical background in dance. Some participants have been
particularly drawn to the opportunity to choreograph, whereas
others find their strength in the administrative work introduced in the
program. Students grow from the process of working together in both leading and supporting roles.
“There are definitely so many components in [Arts
Immersion],” says Angelique Pompee, a 2018-19 participant. “You can’t just call
it a modern dance program. We’re actually learning from people who are working
for a nonprofit dance company, and you’re putting yourself out there, not just
as a dancer, but as a learner and a teacher.”
Applications
are open now through October 4 for the 2019-20 Arts Immersion program. Visit
our website or contact Alex Cook,
Community Programs Director for more information.
This free program is made possible with support from The
Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation.
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