School Partnership Programs

Dance Place’s School Partnerships Programs offer schools and organizations off-site and on-stie programming including dance classes and performances. Classes and performances are led by professional teaching artists and professional dance companies from the DMV and beyond. 

RESIDENCIES (Classes & Workshops) 

Dance Place partners with local schools and organizations to provide dance classes and workshops. Professional teaching artists are paired with a school or organization for a specific length of time determined by the partner site. Residencies can range from year long classes to one off workshops. Using an arts based and arts enhancement curriculum, residencies are offered in a variety of dance genres. This program is funded by both schools/organizations and grant funding. 

PERFORMANCES: STUDENT MATINEES 

Dance Place offers free and/or low cost tickets for students in the DMV to attend a professional dance performance at Dance Place during the weekday. Students engage with local, and sometimes national and international dance companies,  in interactive performances that are both educational and entertaining. Select performances are Relaxed Performances** (see below description) 

**Relaxed Performance Description

Dance Place’s relaxed performances are shows that have been adapted to make the performance more accessible for audience members. Performance elements such as sound and lighting shift to make the performance more sensory friendly, creating a more relaxed environment. Audience members are free to come in and out of their seats and utilize the calming space, with fidget gadgets available as well. 

Examples of relaxed elements include: 

• Brighter lighting design – no totally black out moments 

• Lower sound volume 

• Easy access to leave the performance and return at any time

• Calm area 

• Fidget gadgets available for use in lobby and to take into the performance 

• No sudden to alarming elements in show

• No use of fog machine or strobe lighting

• ASL interpretation 

PERFORMANCES: IN SCHOOLS

Dance Place partners with schools and organizations to bring professional dance performances to the partner site. Performances include an interactive approach for school assemblies and/or special school wide events. Performances often include student performance opportunities coupled with in-school residencies.