Dimensions dance Theater Programs

Program 3

DOWN THE CONGO LINE​

The concept of DOWN THE CONGO LINE came about when Artistic Director Deborah Vaughan traveled to the Congo. The goal of this collaboration was to recognize the extraordinary contribution that Congolese culture has made to the music and dance of the Americas by engaging traditional artists from the Diaspora to create contemporary work that is both rooted in their own community’s traditions and also reflects their Congolese origins. DOWN THE CONGO LINE features four works by choreographers Isaura Oliveira (Brazil), Latanya D. Tigner (New Orleans), Jose “Cheo” Rojas (Cuba) and Herve (Kayos) Makaya ( Brazzaville, Congo. The work is accompanied by a spirited group of percussionists and singers.

Learn more about Down the Congo Line program

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Program 4

Catalyst

A movement-based, evening-length musical conversation crafted from a blend of traditional Moroccan melodies and jazz themes. CATALYST will acknowledge and celebrate the creative confluence of dance and music in the region of Morocco, and North Africa, where African, Spanish, and Arab cultures have co-existed for centuries. Ms. Vaughan will combine traditional African and contemporary dance forms to respond to the music’s rhythms, energy, and emotion. The underlying idea of Tolerance and our ability to accept difference; CATALYST honors the beauty that results when we celebrate our differences and let go of cultural barriers.

Learn more about Catalyst program

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Program 1

DOWN THE CONGO LINE​

The concept of DOWN THE CONGO LINE came about when Artistic Director Deborah Vaughan traveled to the Congo. The goal of this collaboration was to recognize the extraordinary contribution that Congolese culture has made to the music and dance of the Americas by engaging traditional artists from the Diaspora to create contemporary work that is both rooted in their own community’s traditions and also reflects their Congolese origins. DOWN THE CONGO LINE features four works by choreographers Isaura Oliveira (Brazil), Latanya D. Tigner (New Orleans), Jose “Cheo” Rojas (Cuba) and Herve (Kayos) Makaya ( Brazzaville, Congo. The work is accompanied by a spirited group of percussionists and singers.

Learn more about Down the Congo Line program

Drop us a line!
Contact

Program 2

Catalyst

A movement-based, evening-length musical conversation crafted from a blend of traditional Moroccan melodies and jazz themes. CATALYST will acknowledge and celebrate the creative confluence of dance and music in the region of Morocco, and North Africa, where African, Spanish, and Arab cultures have co-existed for centuries. Ms. Vaughan will combine traditional African and contemporary dance forms to respond to the music’s rhythms, energy, and emotion. The underlying idea of Tolerance and our ability to accept difference; CATALYST honors the beauty that results when we celebrate our differences and let go of cultural barriers.

Learn more about Catalyst program

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Contact

Program 5

DOWN THE CONGO LINE​

The concept of DOWN THE CONGO LINE came about when Artistic Director Deborah Vaughan traveled to the Congo. The goal of this collaboration was to recognize the extraordinary contribution that Congolese culture has made to the music and dance of the Americas by engaging traditional artists from the Diaspora to create contemporary work that is both rooted in their own community’s traditions and also reflects their Congolese origins. DOWN THE CONGO LINE features four works by choreographers Isaura Oliveira (Brazil), Latanya D. Tigner (New Orleans), Jose “Cheo” Rojas (Cuba) and Herve (Kayos) Makaya ( Brazzaville, Congo. The work is accompanied by a spirited group of percussionists and singers.

Learn more about Down the Congo Line program

Drop us a line!
Contact

Program 6

Catalyst

A movement-based, evening-length musical conversation crafted from a blend of traditional Moroccan melodies and jazz themes. CATALYST will acknowledge and celebrate the creative confluence of dance and music in the region of Morocco, and North Africa, where African, Spanish, and Arab cultures have co-existed for centuries. Ms. Vaughan will combine traditional African and contemporary dance forms to respond to the music’s rhythms, energy, and emotion. The underlying idea of Tolerance and our ability to accept difference; CATALYST honors the beauty that results when we celebrate our differences and let go of cultural barriers.

Learn more about Catalyst program

Drop us a line!
Contact

Program 7

DOWN THE CONGO LINE​

The concept of DOWN THE CONGO LINE came about when Artistic Director Deborah Vaughan traveled to the Congo. The goal of this collaboration was to recognize the extraordinary contribution that Congolese culture has made to the music and dance of the Americas by engaging traditional artists from the Diaspora to create contemporary work that is both rooted in their own community’s traditions and also reflects their Congolese origins. DOWN THE CONGO LINE features four works by choreographers Isaura Oliveira (Brazil), Latanya D. Tigner (New Orleans), Jose “Cheo” Rojas (Cuba) and Herve (Kayos) Makaya ( Brazzaville, Congo. The work is accompanied by a spirited group of percussionists and singers.

Learn more about Down the Congo Line program

Drop us a line!
Contact

Program 8

Catalyst

A movement-based, evening-length musical conversation crafted from a blend of traditional Moroccan melodies and jazz themes. CATALYST will acknowledge and celebrate the creative confluence of dance and music in the region of Morocco, and North Africa, where African, Spanish, and Arab cultures have co-existed for centuries. Ms. Vaughan will combine traditional African and contemporary dance forms to respond to the music’s rhythms, energy, and emotion. The underlying idea of Tolerance and our ability to accept difference; CATALYST honors the beauty that results when we celebrate our differences and let go of cultural barriers.

Learn more about Catalyst program

Drop us a line!
Contact

Program 9

DOWN THE CONGO LINE​

The concept of DOWN THE CONGO LINE came about when Artistic Director Deborah Vaughan traveled to the Congo. The goal of this collaboration was to recognize the extraordinary contribution that Congolese culture has made to the music and dance of the Americas by engaging traditional artists from the Diaspora to create contemporary work that is both rooted in their own community’s traditions and also reflects their Congolese origins. DOWN THE CONGO LINE features four works by choreographers Isaura Oliveira (Brazil), Latanya D. Tigner (New Orleans), Jose “Cheo” Rojas (Cuba) and Herve (Kayos) Makaya ( Brazzaville, Congo. The work is accompanied by a spirited group of percussionists and singers.

Learn more about Down the Congo Line program

Drop us a line!
Contact

Program 10

Catalyst

A movement-based, evening-length musical conversation crafted from a blend of traditional Moroccan melodies and jazz themes. CATALYST will acknowledge and celebrate the creative confluence of dance and music in the region of Morocco, and North Africa, where African, Spanish, and Arab cultures have co-existed for centuries. Ms. Vaughan will combine traditional African and contemporary dance forms to respond to the music’s rhythms, energy, and emotion. The underlying idea of Tolerance and our ability to accept difference; CATALYST honors the beauty that results when we celebrate our differences and let go of cultural barriers.

Learn more about Catalyst program

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Youth Programs

Program 1

Rites of Passage (ROP)

It is a comprehensive educational outreach program serving primarily youth ages 8-18 years throughout the East Bay. The program offers free classes in Oakland Public schools and year-round low-cost courses after school, on Saturdays, and during the summer at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts. Students learn traditional styles of movement and music such as West African, Haitian, Cuban, and Brazilian, as well as more contemporary forms such as Modern/Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, and Ballet. Sessions will include Spoken Word and Percussion. Through this programming, young people can learn from master artists rooted in traditional art forms that are strongly interwoven within African American culture. Most importantly, it also helps students to work collectively and develop a deeper sense of their self-esteem. ROP sessions begin in October (fall), January (spring), and June (summer). Each session culminates with a performance, the largest being the annual spring play in May written and directed by ROP students and "It Takes Village," a community celebration of all cultures.

Learn more about Rites of Passage (ROP) program

There are limited scholarships available. Please get in touch with the office at dimensionsdance@prodigy.net or (510) 465-3363 for further information regarding classes and registration.
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Program 2

Dimensions Extensions Performance Ensemble (DEPE)

s a group of students ranging in age from 12-19 years, has developed an outstanding reputation for presenting pre-professional work that is considered unique and quite remarkable in terms of what is expected of youth groups. DEPE has the honor of continuing Dimensions Dance Theater’s legacy of performance by providing performances of the African-American experience. Members of Dimensions...Extensions are trained in jazz, modern, hip-hop, Haitian, ballet, and traditional African movement. Members are arts ambassadors who serve the community through performances at local festivals, schools, church events, celebrations, fundraisers, etc. The group has performed and studied in Orlando, Los Angeles, Congolese Dance and Drum Camp in Nevada City, Washington D.C., and New York. Some members of the group traveled to Guinea, West Africa, in December 2006 to participate in a cultural exchange with the youth of Conakry, Boke, and Sangaredi; they also took a class with and performed for Guinea’s national company Les Ballet Africains.

Learn more about Dimensions Extensions Performance Ensemble (DEPE) program

Participation in the group is by audition only. Contact the office at (510) 465-3363 for audition dates and times.
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Program 3

Intern and Apprenticeship

The Internships & Apprenticeships component of our Rites of Passage (ROP) program is a multi-faceted, community-based arts education component program for Oakland youth ages 15-20. The I&A program was launched in 2003 with funding from Oakland Fund for Children and Youth, California Arts Council’s Youth Education in Arts program. The program is geared toward highly motivated advanced students seeking arts careers. These students work alongside DDT’s senior/professional instructors, teaching and mentoring younger students, demonstrating technique, rehearsing repertory, problem-solving in the studio and office, and performing in the community. ROP AND DEPE students graduate from this program.

Learn more about Intern and Apprenticeship program

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