Inclusivity key to Columbus dance company

COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) — A local dance company hopes to expand its reach to more young kids and people of color throughout the city.

Leaders with the Columbus Dance Theater said they commit to bringing accessibility to dance education for everyone who seeks it.

The Columbus Dance Theater is trying to ensure everyone in the community can learn the craft of dance no matter their background. Executive director Jaime Kotrba notes that’s why the company has policies in place like “no child turned away,” giving children and families who may not be able to afford classes a chance for their kids to dance for free.

“It’s so important for kids to be inspired, to be happy, to experience something that they feel good about,” Kotrba said. “If it’s accessible and if we make it more accessible to kids, it’s a way for them to have something they really enjoy doing.”

Watch: Inclusivity at center of Columbus dance company

The classes are for children ages 3 to 18. The theatre also has a professional division prepping for shows next month.

Student Sincere Rose-Cohen has been coming to classes for the past seven years and believes there has been a noticeable growth in himself from attending these classes.

“I’ve grown up personally from this experience,” Sincere Rose-Cohen said. “Ballet is like, all about discipline, so you mess up and, you know, you got to take accountability. For boys, I feel like they think it’s only for girls. But it’s not; it gets you fit, you know? You can go places, make it out.”

Sincere’s mother Lauren Rose-Cohen also notes there are major impacts dance can have on a child’s life that can help in other ways.

“I think having that discipline has carried over not only to into his growth as a dancer, but into other parts of his life,” Lauren Rose-Cohen said. “He’s great at time management. He’s become a better communicator in terms of organizing his day with his teachers and us as parents.”

Artistic Director Seth Wilson believes having more representation in dance and letting people throughout our community see that classical dance is a space that can help everyone excel is an imperative part of the Columbus Dance Theater’s mission.

“I think it’s important for men and people of color to see people that look like them doing these things and being in these roles,” Wilson said. “It teaches you etiquette that will take you throughout life. Whether that is to be a teacher, a doctor, a lawyer, whatever you do.”

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