Our legacy program, CREATE, does the deepest work with our students through a unique social change curriculum that combines technical dance training and expressive arts experiences with self-reflection and critical thinking about social issues. Students are taught not only how to master dance and performance, but how to assess their reality, build supportive peer and adult relationships, and express themselves through their voice and movement.
- Our legacy CREATE program runs April through August and encompasses the trancsenDANCE Performance Group and the annual summer performance in a professional theater
- CREATE Express Camps are a condensed version of our highly-successful legacy program and are offered in partnership with various San Diego high schools during school breaks
The goals of our legacy program and the camp experience are the same:
- To use movement, dance, written and spoken word, and creative journaling work to explore one’s voice and authentic expression
- To give teens a rich experience with peer collaboration
- To give teens the opportunity to be reflective about self in the context of the world around them
- To give teens the opportunity to work with local professional and practicing artists
- To connect young people to foster a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation as a young generation
- To break down barriers and preconceived ideas about others who come from different backgrounds and life circumstances
- To increase social emotional resiliency through the arts
- To have students see themselves as artists, leaders, community builders, and individuals capable of making a positive impact in the world
Program days involve:
- Daily Dance Classes (Hip Hop, Contemporary, Latin, and/or Improvisation Techniques)
- Facilitated Expressive Arts work (movement/creative writing/rhythm work/drawing/drama/spoken word)
- Facilitated Peer-to-Peer Dialogue about the creative work, personal narratives, social issues
- Small Group Work led by Professional Dance Teaching Artists to co-create original material
- Informal sharing of creative work with each other/school staff/parents, guardians or friend
Learn more about CREATE Express Camps
Past CREATE themes and performances:
2019: Hearts in Action
2018: Light Within the Cracks
2017: United We Move
2016: 10 x Change
2015: Me to We
2014: Because… I’m Still Becoming
2013: RESPACE
2012: Peace of Courage
2011: Exit In