The Dance Bridge Workshop introduces participants between the ages of 12 and 19 to theatre games, writing assignments and discussion topics that inspire new ways of creating and connecting through dance. We provided a safe space for teen artists to use dance making as a tool for storytelling. Participants are empowered to push past fear and think outside the box to broaden their horizons. Every season the program holds a free final sharing for the community. Our aim is to establish a Bronx community of young people who are continuously creating and learning the skills needed to speak their truth.
Past and present master class instructors include: Ana "Rokafella", Jason Rodriguez "Slim Extravaganza", Candace Tabbs, Madelyn Sher, Roberto Parris, Raymond Falcon, Leah Tubbs, Careitha Davis, Quilan "Cue" Arnold, Dorren "Moglii" Smith and Marcel March.
Beverly Lopez launched the workshop in 2015 as a final project at Battery Dance Company's Dancing-to-Connect Institute 2015. Through financial support from the Bronx Council on the Arts ( 2017 BRIO Grant awarded to Dance Bridge Workshop facilitator and director, Beverly Lopez), the program returned in spring 2018 with the "I AM" Dance Bridge Workshop at the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance (BAAD!). In this 5-day workshop participants moved through and discussed self-love, important affirmations for everyday, and their own truths and goals. The summer season was just as rewarding with new and returning teen artists taking part. The youth focused on the theme "Building Tomorrow" and created dances about two important goals, "Creating the Space to Build" and "Building With You." This workshop took place at Herbert H. Lehman College thanks to Amy Larimer, the director of the Dance Program at Lehman College.
Since the return of the program in the spring of 2018, the program is offered bi-annually. The 2019 winter workshop took place at Theatre Arts Production Company School and at Lehman College for the 2019 summer session. REDi Dance Co. continues to bring affordable training to youth in the Bronx.
