Dance Place
Encyclopedia
Dance Place is an arts organization in the Brookland
neighborhood of Northeast
Washington, D.C.
. "The heart and home of Washington Dance," Dance Place aims to "transform lives through performing arts and creative education programs that inspire personal growth, professional success, physical wellness and community engagement." It is a National Performance Network Partner Theater.
The nearest metro station is Brookland/CUA
on the Red Line
.
The heart of the organization has resided in linking Arts, Education and Community in a rich, diverse atmosphere of nurturing support. In 2002, DC Wheel expanded its campus to include three rented facilities located adjacent to its main space in the Brookland Studios to serve as an additional office space, a teaching studio and a creative education center (CEC). A wide variety of programs have been generated throughout Dance Place's twenty-five year history – feeding the development of a vital community center while simultaneously growing a reputation as a national and international presenter of high acclaim. Dance Place has served as a vital catalyst in parenting, partnering and supporting the growth of individuals, families, schools, organizations and business in the DC area. Also, Dance Place has played a significant role in the creation of a model program for underserved youth and in the development of the DC dance community. Dance Place has enhanced the reach of its national presence while strengthening its connections to DC and its immediate neighborhood. Dance Place has become a strong community arts center and an important thread in the city's cultural fabric, making Washington, DC a safer and more vibrant city in which to live.
With a scholarship program called Work/Study, aspiring adult dancers have an opportunity of intensive training at no cost, while they work in a volunteer position in the operation of our theater. Internships for college students offer an opportunity to explore a career in dance with real-world experience, through on-the-job training in arts administration, intensive training in dance, career counseling and free housing. Established professional dancers come to Dance Place for continuous training, renewal, professional networking, auditions, and workshops which further their career development.
, George Mason University
, George Washington University
and Montgomery College
.
Ms. Perlo serves the field of dance regionally and as a panelist, lecturer, and arts consultant. She has worked with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Maryland States Arts Council, the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation and The National Performance Network among other organizations. From 1995-98 she served as the national coordinator of DanceAfrica, America, an eight city consortium of festivals presenting dance, music and culture of the African Diaspora. Ms. Perlo has been honored with the Tony Taylor Award for Outstanding Service to the Field of Dance presented by the Washington, DC Cultural Alliance in 1988, the Pola Nirenska award for outstanding contributions to dance in 1995, Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian Magazine in 1997 and was recognized as a "Hometown Hero" by WETA-TV in 2001.
Deborah Riley has a deep commitment to furthering Dance Place's mission in her capacity as artist-in-residence, faculty and staff member since 1987. In her current position as Director, she assists Ms. Perlo to guide the organization in all aspects including artistic, managerial, programing and financial. As a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher she has been instrumental in the training and development of dancers since 1975 and currently directs her own company, Deborah Riley Dance Projects which tours regionally.
Ms. Riley also appears as a guest artist in various universities around the country, most recently at American University. Her work has been presented in the U.S., the U.K. and France and has been funded in multiple years by the NEA, the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities and by the Jerome Foundation. She received a choreographic commission by The Kennedy Center, the Pola Nirenska award for outstanding contributions in dance and was awarded the first Distinguished Alumni of Fine Arts award by Ohio University. In 1993, she presented performances and workshops called Moving Affirmations at various community organizations, serving women survivors of abuse and sexual trauma. From 1978-87, she was based in New York City where she performed and toured extensively with Douglas Dunn & Dancers throughout the U.S. and Europe, and where she created collaborative choreography with dancer Diane Frank.
Brookland, Washington, D.C.
Brookland is a neighborhood in the Northeast quadrant of Washington, D.C., historically centered along 12th Street NE. Brookland is bounded by 9th Street NE to the west, Rhode Island Avenue NE to the south, and South Dakota Avenue to the east...
neighborhood of Northeast
Washington, D.C. (northeast)
Northeast is the northeastern quadrant of Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, and is located north of East Capitol Street and east of North Capitol Street...
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. "The heart and home of Washington Dance," Dance Place aims to "transform lives through performing arts and creative education programs that inspire personal growth, professional success, physical wellness and community engagement." It is a National Performance Network Partner Theater.
The nearest metro station is Brookland/CUA
Brookland-CUA (Washington Metro)
Brookland–CUA is a Washington Metro station in Washington, D.C., on the Red Line. It is located in Northeast at Monroe & 9th Street near Michigan Avenue, and serves the Brookland neighborhood of Northeast Washington and The Catholic University of America...
on the Red Line
Red Line (Washington Metro)
The Red Line of the Washington Metro is a rail rapid transit service operating between 27 stations in Montgomery County, Maryland and the District of Columbia, United States. It is a primary line through downtown Washington, and the oldest and busiest line in the system...
.
History
DC Wheel Productions, Inc./Dance Place was founded in 1978 as a touring educational and Performing Arts Company, which toured the public schools in the Greater DC Metropolitan area. From 1980-1985 the organization developed and operated a cultural community center called Dance Place in a rented facility located at 2424 18th Street NW, DC in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. In 1986, the organization was forced out of its Adams Morgan location due to gentrification and quadrupled rents. In order to secure the organization's future, DC Wheel purchased and renovated its permanent home located at 3225 8th Street, NE in the Brookland neighborhood. With ownership of its own building, DC Wheel increased development of artistic and educational programs drawing many citizens and new business into its Brookland neighborhood.The heart of the organization has resided in linking Arts, Education and Community in a rich, diverse atmosphere of nurturing support. In 2002, DC Wheel expanded its campus to include three rented facilities located adjacent to its main space in the Brookland Studios to serve as an additional office space, a teaching studio and a creative education center (CEC). A wide variety of programs have been generated throughout Dance Place's twenty-five year history – feeding the development of a vital community center while simultaneously growing a reputation as a national and international presenter of high acclaim. Dance Place has served as a vital catalyst in parenting, partnering and supporting the growth of individuals, families, schools, organizations and business in the DC area. Also, Dance Place has played a significant role in the creation of a model program for underserved youth and in the development of the DC dance community. Dance Place has enhanced the reach of its national presence while strengthening its connections to DC and its immediate neighborhood. Dance Place has become a strong community arts center and an important thread in the city's cultural fabric, making Washington, DC a safer and more vibrant city in which to live.
Programs
As a "theater, school, and community resource," Dance Place's offerings include a wide variety of arts-related and community-building programs.Theater
Dance Place's year-long performance season includes performances at their home theater in Brookland, as well as "Dance Place Around Town" performances at other Washington theaters. These performances which occur nearly every weekend of the year include- Artist presentations both of touring companies and of local partner companies.
- Artist co-presentations mostly of local artists
- Presentations of resident companies: Carla and Company, Deborah Riley Dance Projects, and Coyaba Dance Theater.
- Festivals, presenting multiple companies, including the annual DanceAfricaDanceAfricaDanceAfrica is a heritage and community celebration centered on the diverse dance forms of the African Diaspora held annually in New York City, Washington, DC, and Chicago...
DC Festival
School
Dance Place offers a variety of classes for children and adults in styles including modern, African, and hip hop. Dance Places' unparalleled work in this city since 1980 as a dance presenter, dance training ground and laboratory for experimentation has been realized in the fruition of a healthy and diverse dance community. Dance Place's school is focused on training adults in modern and West African dance, and youth in creative movement. Additionally, resident company Coyaba Dance Theater runs the Coyaba Academy, an African dance training program for children.With a scholarship program called Work/Study, aspiring adult dancers have an opportunity of intensive training at no cost, while they work in a volunteer position in the operation of our theater. Internships for college students offer an opportunity to explore a career in dance with real-world experience, through on-the-job training in arts administration, intensive training in dance, career counseling and free housing. Established professional dancers come to Dance Place for continuous training, renewal, professional networking, auditions, and workshops which further their career development.
Community Resource
Dance Place goes into its community with its outreach performances by resident companies Coyaba Dance Theater and Carla and Company as well as outreach classes in DC schools. During the school year, Dance Place runs the Creative Education Center after school program, and over the summer Dance Place runs a Summer Camp for under-privileged youth. Dance Place also holds inreach performances in its theater for DC schools and has a Family Series of performances appropriate for children.About the Directors
Carla Perlo is the founder, visionary leader and Executive/Artistic Director of Dance Place, one of the nation's foremost presenters of dance. Ms. Perlo's work at Dance Place has been vital to the development and support of a growing dance community in Washington, DC since 1980. The D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities recognized Dance Place's contributions for "excellence in service to the arts" with the Mayor's Art Award in 1986. As a dancer, choreographer and teacher, Ms. Perlo has had an active career for over twenty-five years. As a solo performer, artistic director of Perlo/Bloom and Company and most recently of Carla & Company, Ms. Perlo continues to teach dance and lecture at universities, colleges and community centers throughout the region including American UniversityAmerican University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
, George Mason University
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
, George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
and Montgomery College
Montgomery College
Montgomery College is a public, open access community college located in Montgomery County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C. in the United States. The college has three campuses, the largest of which is in Rockville; the other campuses are in Takoma Park/Silver Spring and Germantown...
.
Ms. Perlo serves the field of dance regionally and as a panelist, lecturer, and arts consultant. She has worked with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Maryland States Arts Council, the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation and The National Performance Network among other organizations. From 1995-98 she served as the national coordinator of DanceAfrica, America, an eight city consortium of festivals presenting dance, music and culture of the African Diaspora. Ms. Perlo has been honored with the Tony Taylor Award for Outstanding Service to the Field of Dance presented by the Washington, DC Cultural Alliance in 1988, the Pola Nirenska award for outstanding contributions to dance in 1995, Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian Magazine in 1997 and was recognized as a "Hometown Hero" by WETA-TV in 2001.
Deborah Riley has a deep commitment to furthering Dance Place's mission in her capacity as artist-in-residence, faculty and staff member since 1987. In her current position as Director, she assists Ms. Perlo to guide the organization in all aspects including artistic, managerial, programing and financial. As a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher she has been instrumental in the training and development of dancers since 1975 and currently directs her own company, Deborah Riley Dance Projects which tours regionally.
Ms. Riley also appears as a guest artist in various universities around the country, most recently at American University. Her work has been presented in the U.S., the U.K. and France and has been funded in multiple years by the NEA, the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities and by the Jerome Foundation. She received a choreographic commission by The Kennedy Center, the Pola Nirenska award for outstanding contributions in dance and was awarded the first Distinguished Alumni of Fine Arts award by Ohio University. In 1993, she presented performances and workshops called Moving Affirmations at various community organizations, serving women survivors of abuse and sexual trauma. From 1978-87, she was based in New York City where she performed and toured extensively with Douglas Dunn & Dancers throughout the U.S. and Europe, and where she created collaborative choreography with dancer Diane Frank.
Notable Performers who have Performed at Dance Place
- The Blue Man GroupBlue Man GroupBlue Man Group is an organization founded by Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton. The organization produces theatrical shows and concerts featuring popular music, comedy and multimedia; recorded music and scores for film and television; television appearances for shows such as The Tonight...
- Eiko and Koma
- Philadanco
- Urban Bush WomenUrban Bush WomenUrban Bush Women is a Brooklyn, New York based non-profit dance company that was founded in 1984 by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. It is an ensemble of seven women who perform very diverse pieces choreographed by Jawole as well as many other reputable choreographers...
- Parsons Dance CompanyParsons Dance Company-External links:*** accessed 23 June 2007**...
- Tim MillerTim Miller (performance artist)-External links:* *...
- Rennie HarrisRennie HarrisRennie Harris is a dancer, choreographer, artistic director and professor of Hip-hop dance. Harris formed the first and longest running hip-hop dance touring company, Rennie Harris Puremovement in 1992...
- PearsonWidrig DanceTheaterPearsonWidrig DanceTheaterSara Pearson and Patrik Widrig's PearsonWidrig DanceTheater was formed in 1987 in New York City. Their work has been produced by the city's major dance venues including Lincoln Center, the Joyce Theater, the City Center Fall for Dance Festival, DTW, the Kitchen, Central Park SummerStage, P.S. 122,...
- Bill ShannonBill ShannonBill Shannon is an American artist who resides in Brooklyn. Shannon holds a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Born with a degenerative hip condition, he developed a way to express himself through dance and skateboarding on crutches.-Performances:Performances and video work...
- Victoria MarksVictoria MarksVictoria Marks is a professor of choreography in the Department of World Arts and Cultures at UCLA, where she has been teaching since 1995...
- Marc Bamuthi Joseph
- Paul ZaloomPaul ZaloomPaul Finley Zaloom is a U.S. actor and puppeteer best known for his role as the character Beakman on the television show Beakman's World.-Career:...
- Elizabeth StrebElizabeth StrebElizabeth Streb is an American choreographer, performer, and teacher of contemporary dance.-Background:Streb was born and raised in Rochester, New York and, after graduating from the dance program of State University of New York at Brockport in 1972, she was interested in experimental works and...
- CityDance EnsembleCityDance EnsembleCityDance Ensemble was founded in 1996 and is a contemporary repertory dance company based in Washington, D.C. and North Bethesda, Maryland. CityDance Ensemble, Inc, is composed of the dance company and three other divisions: an outreach education arm that teaches and performs to over 25,000...
- TaShawn Moore