Black Box Dance Theatre (BBDT) kicked off 2024 moving and connecting with students during four school residencies where they asked, "What change would you like to see in the world?" Rollins Elementary residency in January was funded through the cARTwheels grant program. 5th graders performed alongside BBDT for the rest of the school. During that residency, BBDT also lead a professional development workshop to revitalize and energize teachers.
J.S. Waters School in Chatham County invited BBDT for a 10-day residency in February where they collaborated with 5th and 7th graders. The 5th grade students created a dance about the Revolutionary War and shared what their own revolutions would be. The 7th grade students learned about the Underground Railroad and centered their work around safety, identity, and what it means to show up for others. Read the summary written by J.S. Waters School here.
Bridges Program, a 1st-5th grade alternative school program run by Wake County Public Schools, asked BBDT to come for a three-day residency in March. This is an exciting start in building a relationship between the two programs. Burke County Public Schools residency, funded through the cARTwheels grant program, included workshops with Hillcrest Elementary and Glen Alpine Elementary. BBDT wrapped up after a week-long residency by performing with a group of third graders about force and motion on Friday, March 22.
There have been amazing opportunities for BBDT to collaborate with the community to create and share uniquely moving experiences. Here's just a few from the start of 2024:
- Artspace First Friday in January. Art gallery guests were able to see a version of Thirst which first debuted at ADF this past summer.
- The Franciscan School. Students were invited on stage to participate in building support duets with BBDT dancers.
- NCAIS Women in Leadership Conference. Attendees were led through an interactive experience of storytelling and peer support that encouraged deep listening and innovative collaboration.
- Pender County Schools. Students across three middle schools in the County attended BBDT dance performances.
- Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Active duty military and their spouses were led through a movement and storytelling workshop aimed at helping with the ongoing mental wellness challenges of military life.
