In
the heart of Bedford Stuyvesant is a dance group called the Restoration
Dance Theater Junior Company. The company accepts kids from the ages
of 8 to 14.
The
dance program is part of the larger Restoration Plaza. It was founded
in 1967 by the late former US Senator, Jacob Javits and Robert F.
Kennedy. It is located on 247 Herkermer Street in Brooklyn. Peggy
Alston is the director of performing arts at the Restoration Plaza.
The center uplifts the community in economic, cultural, and academic
activities.
Artistic,
academic, and personal development is the focus of the Junior Companyıs
work. There is cultural value and historical value in their dancing,
and the dancers must learn the history of the piece before they can
perform. The Company wants the performers to know why they dance,
to value themselves, and to know who they are so that they can have
high self-esteem. The Company touches on every subject including life
skills, and tries to find out what the students value and what they
care about.
At
the restoration, there were some eager people who wanted to talk about
how they feel about their beloved restoration. The first person was
a student. His name is Shihan Barbee, age 13, and he attends J. S.
258. He works in the Rite Center What he likes about the program is
the academic assistance and art that is provided for him. The program
helped work harder in school, and it also helped him with his future
career as an architect. He learned about this place from from his
art teacher. He has been here for three months and plans on staying
here for two years. The program has taught him techniques in art,
the internet, and how to use the computer.
Another
student that is part of the Restoration Dance Theater Junior Company
is Bijan Dendtler, age 11, and she attends Packer Collegiate Institute.
What she likes about the program is how it gives her the chance to
challenge herself. She has been dancing since she was four. The program
shows her discipline and responsibility. She wants to go into prfessional
dancing so she must be prepared. Her mother told her about the place
as they went shopping. She wants to stay here for a long time.
The
Restoration Dance Theater has a far reaching effect. The Company performs
in the community and creates a domino effect because people talk about
their experiences. For instance, the Company danced at the American
Museum of Natural History during a Kwanza special, and this is where
HarlemLive first saw them. Their Kwanza dance is one of the celebrations
they want others to care about the most.
The
Company has a few funding sources. The Restoration Center is now however
creating their own company so that they donıt have to rely on certain
sponsors. .Besides the dance theater, there is a Skylight Gallery
and the Billie Holiday Theater. The Restoration Building has many
activities in which youth and adults can participate. There is also
a RITE Center, which one can join at a reasonable price. However,
members of the youth leadership program can use the technology for
free.