Photo by: Richard W. Rodriguez

Dallas Black Dance Theatre has a history of arts education excellence. Our arts-in-education residencies and outreach programs are designed to build critical thinking skills, connect youth to themselves and their own culture, and to invigorate the educational process by building connections between the construction and execution of dance as an art form and traditional learning techniques. Each year DBDT exposes over 20,000 DISD school children to the dance forms of ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop and African dance. An additional 20,000 students share DBDT in this experience nationally and internationally.

Dance: Let’s Move! – Residency

Learn dance from the best! Dancers of Dallas Black Dance Theatre want to share the joy of ballet, modern, jazz or African technique with students of all ages. This residency is designed specifically for during or after-school programming and is aligned with First Lady Michelle Obama’s campaign to fight childhood obesity—Supporting America’s Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids.

AttenDANCE! – Lecture Demonstration

AttenDance is an informational, interactive lecture demonstration and discussion of the different dance disciplines with history and descriptions of the movements provided by the Artistic Director as the dancers perform. This on-campus, fun-filled lecture/demonstration concludes with selected dance numbers from DBDT’s repertoire. Student participation is included and a question/answer session with the dancers follows.

Student Matinee Performances

The ultimate field trip for students! See dance at its best performed at performance halls across the metroplex. Dallas Black Dance Theatre currently provides matinee performances at the state of the art Wyly Theatre and the new City Performance Hall. Dallas Black Dance Theatre brings joy and excitement to students of all ages with its superb performance of dramatic dance works by nationally known choreographers. Study guide for teachers, bookmarks and programs for students are provided to enhance the performance experience.

DBDT Master Classes

Learn dance technique in the genres of classical ballet, modern, jazz, African dance or creative movement (for young students ages 4–6) from professional dancers with extensive experience. These classes are designed to teach specific technique to new dancers and enhance the technique of experienced dancers. Classes can be scheduled either during or after-school time. Master classes may also be used as a component of the Physical Education requirement for students of all ages.