Free Let’s Dance movement workshop for all returns to Eisenhower Auditorium stage on May 1
UNIVERSITY PARK (Monday, April 14)—The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State invites people of any dance preference and skill to celebrate movement and inclusion at the Let’s Dance Movement Workshop for All Ages, All Abilities. The free, public event will be at 5:30–6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1, on the Eisenhower Auditorium stage.
The workshop is free to attend, but registration is required for the one-hour event. Register online.
No dance or singing experience is necessary and loose clothing is encouraged. Parking information will be provided to registrants closer to the event. Visit Let’s Dance online for more details.
During the workshop, members from the For Good Performance Troupe, part of the Centre Region Down Syndrome Society and directed by Krista Wilkinson, will perform excerpts from their favorite musical theatre songs. Afterward, Michele Dunleavy will teach participants basic choreography moves and how to have some fun!
“That it is really neat for people to come together and learn. There is something really powerful that happens there,” said Center for the Performing Arts education specialist Medora Ebersole. “It embodies the power of learning together.”
The For Good Performance Troupe program offers the opportunity for people with Down syndrome to participate in music theatre performance activities while giving the community the opportunity to attend and celebrate together.
An ASL interpreter, captioning, wheelchair access and inclusionary practices for neurodiverse participants will be provided. To discuss accommodations to help flourish in this space, contact Kelly Kaiserian via email at kvk2@psu.edu or by calling 814-863-7101.
The Center for the Performing Arts aims to create collaborative programs committed to ensuring that the arts are accessible and equitable. Let’s Dance fosters inclusive and immersive environments that help people of all abilities, ages and backgrounds realize their creative potential and create a sense of community.
For more information, email Medora Ebersole at mde13@psu.edu.
Watch an interview with Dunleavy and Ebersole as they share the ideas behind the community engagement of Let's Dance and how it fit into Dunleavy's year as the 2024–25 Penn State Laureate.
Sensory accommodations
The center welcomes patrons of all sensory sensitivities to its performances. Eisenhower Auditorium is certified by KultureCity as a sensory-friendly venue. Upon request, patrons can sign out a variety of items to accommodate your visit, including noise-reducing earmuffs, anti-strobe glasses, lap pads and fidget toys.
Learn more about the center’s available Accessibility services.
Acknowledgments
Let’s Dance is presented in partnership with the Penn State College of Health and Human Development, the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, and the School of Theatre.
Find us
For more information about the season, visit the Center for the Performing Arts online, Facebook and Instagram.