Dance has always been a huge part of black culture, and black culture is a tremendous influence in dance. But, ironically, the African Americans who have shaped the art-form remain hidden figures. Sadly, in today's dance world, African American dancers are unequivocally faced with discrimination and a lack of opportunities for advancement, even when their talent speaks for itself. While many people love what black culture has contributed to dance, they still don't love or accept black people. In an interview with Dance Spirit magazine Misty Copeland spoke about dance and ballet's hostile relationship with race, saying, "The rarity of seeing ourselves represented is sad. The more we see every hue and body shape represented on the stage, the more possibilities young dancers feel they have for themselves."
No black dancer is immune to the discrimination that comes with the territory of dance, but one dance director is trying to eradicate the challenges that dancers of color face. Robin Pitts is sparking a movement of change by equipping dancers of color with the tools required to succeed. Her weapons of choice are education, opportunity and excellence. By rigorously training any child who dreams to dance, regardless of income, Pitts is changing the game. In addition, Pitts is re-educating the dance community about the contribution of people of color to dance, so that they can be mindful that dance is a sport that has to be inclusive.
Pitts is the owner and director of the prestigious Dancemakers Academy, a non-profit education centered studio in Prince George’s County. It was always her dream and mission to provide any child between ages three and 18 with the technical foundation required to excel in dance. "I don't think children should be limited to doing what they love because of a lack of income. I believe in honoring a child's talent and preparing them for a brighter future, no matter their background," said Pitts. Dancemakers has become known for their technical excellence in dance and their emphasis on an academic curriculum, which is rare. The studio, which teaches everything from ballet and tap, to lyrical and jazz, continues to beat the odds as all youth, regardless of income, are given the opportunity to attend Pitts' school.
Dancemakers unapologetically utilizes the art of dance to not only provide a platform for their emerging and seasoned brown dancers, but they have been committed to solidifying their position as an educational resource in the performing arts, while breaking barriers along the way. Pitts says the education of dance and how black culture has impacted dance should not just be limited to her students.
Pitts states, "I'm making sure my students and the community celebrate dance through the education provided at Dancemakers. A lot of times, dancers are taught how to dance, but the education, culture and the people who influenced the art forms are left out. This is not good for black history, or dance, history at all." Pitts is inviting the community to sit in on their rehearsals as a way to learn about the historical roots of dance in African-American culture. "Dance has meaning. It is spiritual. It is our history, as well. These elements should not be omitted while others flourish in what was so personal to our ancestors," said Pitts.
She is correct. From African traditional celebrations in times of weddings, birthing ceremonies and just pure moments of joy, dance has always been symbolic. Dancing was spiritual and a way of communicating and holding on to hope for a lot of African Americans during the middle passage, and later into slavery. When the slave traders brought Africans to the Americas, the slaves danced in order to stay close to their roots.
This is an example of how, in many instances, dance was deeper than entertainment. Specifically, when The Negro Act of 1740 was passed in South Carolina, it prohibited any African American person from beating drums, blowing horns or the like, because slave owners believed it would lead to rebellion. Other states followed, enacting similar acts. "This act caused slaves to be deprived of their traditional means of communication, " wrote Danielle Lowery. "Therefore, the human body became their source of rhythm and communication, which gave birth to many dance forms, such as tap and the use of heel and toe beats." African Americans had to combine music and dance, together. They chose to do so with their feet. They began dancing in the evening after working in the fields. They danced the Jig, the Cakewalk, the Calenda, the Bamboulo, the Pigeon Wing, the Buzzard Lope, the Corn Shucking, the Quilting dances and much more. Most of these dances were dances from their cultural roots in Africa and Haiti
"It is interesting because in our dance community, our brown dancers are often overlooked in the very art-forms that their ancestors created. There are many racial challenges in dance that we are still trying to overcome. There is so much that we have to learn and so much that we can not allow others to take while erasing our contributions. I just hope that my dancers get all the love and support they need to change the future of dance," said Pitts.
