Multi-day engagement with Dance Theatre of Harlem to take place February 12-14
Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC) is presenting a multi-day residency with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, a globally acclaimed dance company presenting a powerful vision for ballet in the 21st century. Born at the height of the civil rights movement, the Dance Theatre of Harlem conveys a message of empowerment for all through the arts. The company’s forward-thinking repertoire includes treasured classics, neoclassical works, and innovative contemporary works, using the language of ballet to celebrate African American culture.
The engagement will feature artists from the Dance Theatre of Harlem leading educational workshops, a student matinee performance for over 2,000 area youth, and a public performance with a post-show talkback.
Dance Theatre of Harlem’s performance and related engagements are part of the Culture Collective, which is designed to celebrate and elevate the contributions of artists of color across a spectrum of artistic disciplines, and aligns with MPAC’s commitment to Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) in the performing arts.
This performance is also the first show on the 2023/24 MPAC Presents Dance Series. Additional artists on the series include Hubbard Street Dance and MOMIX: Alice. MPAC Presents Dance subscriptions are on sale through February 14.
“The Dance Theatre of Harlem has such a significant historical importance in the world of ballet, and we are honored to present this groundbreaking company as part of our Culture Collective and 2023/24 season,” said MPAC President & CEO Kevin Giglinto. “This residency underscores our dedication to amplifying all voices and celebrating the diverse cultures that shape our world.”
The Dance Theatre of Harlem residency schedule is as follows:
Monday, February 12
A pre-professional masterclass and an intermediate workshop for youth will be held in the afternoon with partner organizations Milwaukee Ballet, TBEY Arts Center, and LocoMotion Dance Company. The intermediate youth workshop will be taught by Robert Garland, Artistic Director of Dance Theatre of Harlem.
Wednesday, February 14
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. – Dance Theatre of Harlem Student Matinee Performance for 2,000+ Milwaukee area youth
Geared for young audiences, company members will provide a brief introduction, a demonstration of ballet, and excerpts from the Dance Theatre of Harlem repertoire. This presentation on the art and science of dance will show how all the elements come together to create the magic of performance.
The Student Matinee performance is SOLD OUT.
6:00 p.m. – Family Nights Reception in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee.
Family Nights is an interactive experience designed to create lasting memories through special family-bonding activities that provide deeper connections to the performances on stage. MPAC partners with community organizations to provide tickets, meals, transportation, and family-oriented educational activities with the selected performance.
This program is not open to the public. Family Nights is generally supported by Bader Philanthropies, PNC, Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors Youth Foundation, and Kohl’s Hometown Giving Program.
7:30 p.m. – Dance Theatre of Harlem Public Performance. A post-show Q&A with the artists will follow the performance.
The program features Sounds of Hazel: The Hazel Scott Ballet, Pas de Dix (a Balanchine® Ballet), Return, and Take Me With You, a new premiere.
Tickets for the public performance of Dance Theatre of Harlem are on sale now and start at just $47.00. To purchase tickets, visit www.MarcusCenter.org, call 414-273-7206, or visit the Marcus Center Box Office at 929 North Water Street, Downtown Milwaukee. Groups of 10 or more can secure their seats by calling 414-273-7207.
Dance Theatre of Harlem is presented with support from the New England Foundation for the Arts and is part of the 2023/24 MPAC Presents Dance Series and the Culture Collective. The 2023/24 MPAC Presents Series is supported by Bader Philanthropies, Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, Fields Auto Group, the Herzfeld Foundation, and The Ambassador Hotel. Additional support for the Culture Collective is provided by Greater Milwaukee Foundation, MGIC, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
For more information about the company, visit dancetheatreofharlem.org.
About Dance Theatre of Harlem
Dance Theatre of Harlem is a leading dance institution of unparalleled global acclaim, encompassing a professional touring company, a leading studio school, and a national and international education and community outreach program. Each component of Dance Theatre of Harlem carries a solid commitment towards enriching the lives of young people and adults around the world through the arts. Founded in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook, Dance Theatre of Harlem is considered “one of ballet’s most exciting undertakings” (The New York Times). Shortly after the assassination of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mitchell was inspired to start a school that would offer children — especially those in Harlem, the community in which he was born — the opportunity to learn about dance and the allied arts. Now in its sixth decade, Dance Theatre of Harlem has grown into a multi-cultural dance institution with an extraordinary legacy of providing opportunities for creative expression and artistic excellence that continues to set standards in the performing arts. Dance Theatre of Harlem has achieved unprecedented success, bringing innovative and bold new forms of artistic expression to audiences in New York City, across the country and around the world.
About the Company
Now a singular presence in the ballet world, the Dance Theatre of Harlem Company tours nationally and internationally, presenting a powerful vision for ballet in the 21st century. The 18-member multi-ethnic company performs a forward-thinking repertoire that includes treasured classics, neoclassical works by George Balanchine and resident choreographer Robert Garland, as well as innovative contemporary works that use the language of ballet to celebrate Arthur Mitchell’s belief that ballet belongs to everyone. Through performances, community engagement and arts education, the Company carries forward Dance Theatre of Harlem’s message of empowerment through the arts for all.
About Marcus Performing Arts Center
A mission-based non-profit organization located in downtown Milwaukee, the Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC) brings high-quality arts and cultural programming to Southeastern Wisconsin. MPAC strives to act as an energizing force that connects the community to the world through collaboration, innovation, social engagement, and the transformative power of the performing arts. Through multiple performance series, community events, and educational experiences, MPAC brings a diverse range of celebrated artists to the region. A fixture in Milwaukee for over 50 years, MPAC is proud to be part of the Milwaukee Theater District as well as a dedicated War Memorial facility. Learn more at www.MarcusCenter.org.
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