‘Celebrate Summer’ project to share priceless arts with communities
The approach of summer heralds a season of bustling playgrounds, county fairs and ice-cream vendors. In Washington's winter-weary Puget Sound area, the very thought of it tantalizes. Some area residents will likely spend the season away from the Pacific Northwest - soaking up history, culture and art experiences from around the world. Of course, not everyone can do that.
Those who plan to stick around Pierce County will just have to settle for relaxing right where they are while professional artists from Dance Theatre Northwest bring centuries of tradition, heritage and international treasures to them - for free, without reservations, passport screenings or airport delays.
The non-profit organization's "Celebrate Summer" project will present a series of interactive workshops, free dance performances and educational lectures from May through August at area festivals and at senior communities and assisted-living facilities.
"This project increases the visibility of the cultural arts in our community and most importantly reaches out to residents, families and the economically and mobility challenged," said DTN Artistic Director Melanie Kirk-Stauffer.
As many an artist can attest, the arts are not just for the wealthy. Often, though, theater arts - which combine creations of music, storytelling, scenery, costumes, drama and dance - are thought to be the purview of only wealthier members of society.
The aristocratic roots of ballet and theatrical dance are undeniable, but the music, stories and traditions generated for and by dance over the centuries represent cultural history and heritage that everyone can share and enjoy, according to Kirk-Stauffer and members of the DTN board of directors.
In the belief that finances or physical limitations should not separate people from art, the organization works year-round, relying on grants, donations and volunteers to present professional productions for local audiences at venues ranging from fully equipped theaters to made-to-fit stages in care home dining rooms.
"Their presence brings great anticipation by our residents and their families," said Jaquelyn Kleiner, activities director at Renaissance of Narrows Glen, a senior community in Tacoma. "They get a very intimate preview of the exceptional performances that this dance company presents."
She said many Narrows Glen residents are accustomed to attending live theater events - some throughout the world - and still can if they choose, but the intimacy of a DTN performance is thrilling to even this experienced audience.
"Even if you go to performances, you're not that close," she said. From the impressive arrival of the entourage of dancers, crew, equipment and costumes through to the chats with dancers after the show, the audience gets a privileged sense of being behind the scenes with professionals, she said.
That up-close effect also is good for the artists, who benefit from seeing and hearing the reactions of audiences, said DTN dance instructor Vadne Domeika. "I like to be able to kind of scan the audience and watch facial expressions," she said. "Especially the little kids who all run down to the front to dance with us ... it's very rewarding."
All of DTN's performances in the region's care homes and senior communities are open to the public to encourage more people to visit, spend time with the residents and enjoy the shows, Kirk-Stauffer said. Four of the eight events in the "Celebrate Summer" series will be at such venues.
Incorporated in 1986, Dance Theatre Northwest includes an award-winning Regional Performing Dance Company, a Junior Dance Ensemble, guest performers, the Dance Theatre Northwest Music Ensemble, guest vocalists, and an extensive support network of professional artists and volunteers serving in various capacities.
The group provides training in classical ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical dance, musical theater and dance exercise at the Dance Theatre Northwest studio in University Place and participates in several educational collaborations in the region. The group's principal trainer is Kirk-Stauffer, who studied and performed at internationally acclaimed institutions prior to bringing her art home to the Tacoma area.
Along with formal winter and spring productions, DTN makes up to 18 trips to assisted-living and senior residential facilities each year with a complete cast of company and student dancers. Free and open to the public, these programs include a full complement of dancers, audio equipment and costumes. Kirk-Stauffer gives audiences educational narratives on the history of particular stories, choreography or music.
More information on how to support or participate in classes, performances or outreach programs provided by Dance Theatre Northwest, a registered 501c(3) non-profit, is available at (253) 565-5149 or online at www.dancetheatrenorthwest.org.
The "Celebrate Summer" project currently includes the following events:
July 14:
10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Dance Arts Stage, Proctor Farmer's Market, Tacoma
July 21:
2:30 p.m., Patriot's Landing, 1600 Marshall Circle, DuPont
July 29:
10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Dance Arts Stage, Puyallup Farmer's Market, Puyallup
Aug. 4:
10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Blue Mouse Theatre, Proctor Arts Festival, Tacoma
Aug. 18:
1 - 2 p.m., Museum of Glass, 1801 Dock Street, Tacoma
6 p.m., Bridgeport Place, 5250 Bridgeport Way West, University Place