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Dance Steps
To Success
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When two great things come together, the result can be powerful. A successful dance group was looking for a place to call home, and a church was looking for a connection to the neighborhood's youth. Once the introduction was made, the teens and the congregation began creating art that's changing a community. Kim Riemland (REEM land) reports. |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: Memphis, Tenn.)
Nat/Dance class: “1, 2, 3. Good job! Do it again.”
DeWayne Hambrick sees the true reflection of who these teenagers are.
DeWayne Hambrick/Founder, Graffitti Playground: “I don’t know if you’ve
ever seen the movie ‘Fame’ but this is ‘Fame’!”
Hambrick is the founder of Graffitti Playground, a non-profit performing
arts program for inner-city kids in Memphis.
Ron Myles/Dance Student : “Before 3 years ago, I wasn’t dancing at all.
I wasn’t even trying to dance.”
Ron Myles recently placed first in a Los Angeles hip hop dance
competition. But the coveted award isn’t the only thing he’s gained
through Hambrick’s program.
Ron Myles: “When I was hungry, he bought me something to eat. When I had
no ride home, he would take me home. So he’s like a father to me.”
This is just one success story of many.
DeWayne Hambrick: “I don’t want them to stay with me forever. But when
they leave here, I want them to know they got some training, they were
cared for, that there was love here. And then they can take that on and
share it with someone else.”
Graffitti Playground is housed in Galloway United Methodist Church. The
Reverend TroyAnn Poulopoulus says the program has revitalized the whole
community, especially its future leaders.
The Rev. TroyAnn Poulopoulos/ Pastor, Galloway United Methodist Church:
“These kids are finding potential within themselves. They’re doing
better in school, they’re getting chips off their shoulders, they’re
believing they can achieve things they never thought possible.”
DeWayne Hambrick: “I’m not trying to make Baryshnikovs or Alvin Aileys.
If that’s what happens, that’s what happens.”
Nat/Dance class: “1,2, 3, 4…whoa! Do that again!”
TAG:
What's amazing is that student was nearly cut from the group.
Persistence paid off.
The group's talent has caught the attention of national agents and
several former students have moved on to work in dance companies across
the country. DeWayne's dream for Graffitti Playground is to have
programs in different cities.
For more details, go to
http://www.graffittiplayground.com.