Dance for Schools 2024
Dance for Schools is the Alabama Dance Festival’s arts education program. This program provides high-quality, meaningful arts experiences focused on P12 students, educators, and artists. Dance for Schools programs focus on arts integration, arts enhancement, and arts exposure. The Alabama Dance Festival is proud to offer three exciting opportunities for the 2024 Dance for Schools Program!
Dance Across Birmingham – Field Trip
Dance Workshops, Performance, and Assessments
The Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center, North Meeting Hall and Theatre
Dance Across Birmingham is Saturday, January 13, and offers a day of FREE dance classes for all ages.
Styles range from hip-hop, belly dance, and praise dance to African dance, Latin dance and more, taught by local instructors and artistic directors of local dance companies. Classes meet in the BJCC North Meeting Rooms. Register online to reserve space in your favorite classes!
Birmingham Dance Showcase is included in your DAB registration. Enjoy lunch in the BJCC Theatre and watch a concert of this area’s best dance talent.
Dance Performance Assessment was created to align the dance arts with the other arts organizations in the state of Alabama. The evaluation process presents public school dancers with a summative form of assessment that is aligned with the Alabama Course of Study: Arts Education Dance Standards. Students who receive a Superior ranking will receive a medal during the awards ceremony.
Any middle or high school student enrolled in a public/private school dance program is eligible to participate.- REGISTRATION DEADLINE DECEMBER 29
- Your school must be a member of the Alabama Dance Council for you to participate.
- There is a $5 fee per dancer per dance.
- Performance must not exceed 5 minutes.
- You may submit solo, duet or group pieces (3-20 dancers) .
- Dancers must wear all black, no costumes/props are allowed. (Excluding footwear)
- Dancers must provide their own accompaniment music and sound, bring your own wireless speaker and adapters (as needed).
- Marley flooring and resin are not available.
- Students should be 6th – 12th graders.
- Dance Performance Assessment Rubric
Performances Designed for School Groups
Jemison Concert Hall, UAB’s Alys Stephens Center
Friday, January 19, 10 am
Performances designed for school groups are a great way to engage students in the arts and provide them with a unique learning experience. These performances are tailored to meet the needs and interests of students, making them both educational and entertaining. These performances can be a great way to introduce students to the world of dance. Tickets are free, but reservations are required. Limited transportation reimbursement is available. All students grades 6-12 are invited to attend.
Video – 2024 School Show Artist – KM Dance Project – Raw Fruit
For more information, contact Kerri-Noelle Humphrey by email kerrinoelle@alabamadancecouncil.org.
Professional Development
January 20, 2024
1:00 – 2:30 pm
Alabama School of Fine Arts, Birmingham, Alabama
Classroom Goals: Define and refine your objectives to ensure a comprehensive dance education.
Curriculum Enhancement: Receive guidance on curriculum development that aligns with industry standards and university expectations.
Interactive Discussion: Engage with experienced professionals, exchange ideas, and discover effective strategies.
Career Path Guidance: Learn about the latest trends and requirements for students pursuing dance as a profession.Alys Stephens Center, Birmingham, Alabama. October 21, 9AM – 3:30PM.
The Alabama Dance Festival includes workshops and resource materials for classroom teachers. On October 21, P12 educators can attend a day-long training session and receive Continuing Education credit.
The teacher workshop offers instructional strategies to effectively bring creative movement into any P12 classroom. This professional development program is designed for educators who want to utilize arts integration in their classrooms but need practical methods and resources.
This is an unprecedented time for Artists, Educators and Administrators, and a time which calls for deep engagement, developing new skill sets, a radical imagination and a call to action for equality through the arts and arts education. Download the Teacher Workshop Flyer for the full workshop description and make your reservation today!
Workshop Description: We invite you to move, celebrate your ancestors and participate in a cultural exchange in the KM Dance Project multidisciplinary creative process. Rooted in storytelling (both verbal and written) and integrated with movement synthesis, the Raw Fruit Teacher Workshop investigates the intersection of dance technique, composition and social justice commentary with a deep connection to family history and identity affirmation.
Participating educators will use the Story Circle method of the late John O’Neal, founder of Junebug Productions and co-founder of its predecessor, Free Southern Theater, to share life experiences and family tradition. We value the deep listening that is achieved through this process and the shared respect for everyone’s experience. Reflecting on their own deep listening and storytelling, participants will engage in writing prompts and movement creation generating a collection of embodied stories. Participants will use the histories, legends and tall tales of their family/community/collective identity, to explore individualized written and embodied solo study. In addition to deep internal exploration, participants will work collaboratively to create ensemble work as a collective.
