Compton Dance Theatre Foundation: Press & Reviews

In Full Bloom...... As Compton Dance Theatre thrives, Carol Bristol-Henry has planted the seeds for change for so many inner city dancers.

Urban Renewal

In the wake of ABT’s migrating swans last week, a small inner-city dance academy in the heart of Compton won honors and recognition of excellence.

Compton is more known for gangster rap than for ballet.

Carol Bristol-Henry and Compton Dance Theatre received the Addie Patterson Award for Outstanding Service in Community Development from the City of Compton. The U.S. House of Representatives bestowed a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, and the California legistlature presented a Certificate of Recognition.

With a BA in Psychology from Howard University and an MA in Dance and Dance Education from NYU, Bristol-Henry trained at Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. “I reluctantly started teaching dance at Compton High School to earn money between gigs,” she says. “Making a difference was unintentional.”

Most days after school, she noticed that idle students would fight just to entertain one another. The more studious sought refuge in the few available after-school activities. “I offered to teach dances to three students after school,” Bristol-Henry remembers. “They invited their friends and relatives. It started getting pretty crowded.”

Rapidly running out of room, Bristol-Henry scrambled for space in which to hold classes. “I had to,” she says. “Several kids confided in me that dance was their only reason for showing up to school every day.”

In 2002, Bristol-Henry founded the 501-c-3 nonprofit Compton Dance Theatre Foundation in order to meet eligibility for financial support. Since then, the organization has won numerous grants to stay afloat. “Funding remains the biggest challenge we face,” said Bristol-Henry. “Our ability to survive is tested all too frequently.”

Evidence of the quality of CDT’s dance training is apparent in student dancers’ discipline and technique. One of them, 11-year-old Victoria Portor, auditioned and was accepted to American Ballet Theatre’s 2008 summer intensive program, during ABT’s recent residency at the Music Center.

Contributions are tax-deductible. Compton Dance Theatre can be reached at (310) 669-9908, or www.comptondancetheatre.org. — Penny Orloff

Compton Compton Dance Theatre Receives City, State & Federal Honors

Ballet blooms in Compton, CA proving that classical dance can thrive as an alternative to hip hop’s strong influence in one of the country’s most challenged inner cities, honors were given to a small community based dance academy in the heart of Compton, California last week.

In honor and recognition of excellence in community service, Compton Dance Theatre (CDT) and its Founder/Artistic Director, Carol Bristol-Henry, received awards and acknowledgements from local, state and federal representatives at the City of Compton’s 2008 Community Development Week luncheon.

From the City of Compton, Bristol-Henry and Compton Dance Theatre, a ballet, modern and traditional dance foundation, received the Addie Patterson Award for Outstanding Service in Community Development. A Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition was bestowed from the U.S. House of Representatives, and a Certificate of Recognition was presented from the California Legislature Assembly. Additionally, Bristol-Henry was the recipient of a Teacher of the Year 2007-2008 award from CDT’s students and parents.

Students along with members from its professional troupe performed two pieces choreographed by Bristol-Henry. The audience, comprised of numerous City of Compton commissioners and dignitaries, and representatives from the state of California and U.S. House of Representatives, were impressed with the dancers’ discipline, technique and choreography.

Upon receiving the award, Bristol-Henry gave an emotionally charged acceptance speech, acknowledging the dedication of her husband, students, their parents and supporters. As she thanked the City of Compton, state and federal representatives, she recapped the beginnings of CDT in Compton and the barriers she faced in establishing the fledgling dance academy in the inner city.

“I started Compton Dance Theatre Foundation unintentionally”, Bristol-Henry remarked, “and my friends thought I was crazy; they said I shouldn’t do it; that it would ruin my career by association”.

Visibly moved by Bristol-Henry’s message and emotion, the audience frequently responded with “Amen” and words of encouragement throughout her speech.

With a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Howard University, a Masters Degree in Dance and Dance Education from N.Y.U., CDT’s Founder studied dance at Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. She is also an accomplished performance artist. Bristol-Henry explained, “I reluctantly started teaching dance at Compton High School as a way to earn money between gigs. I was very uncertain about making any kind of a difference”. She described how she used to wait for traffic to clear before leaving the high school to go home and she noticed that idle students would fight just to entertain one another. The more studious young people were left to defend themselves or seek refuge in the few after-school activities that were available to avoid becoming prey to the fighters.

“On a whim”, continued CDT’s Founder, “I offered to teach the dances I had started working on during my regular daytime classes to three students after school. They came consistently, invited their friends and relatives and expressed how grateful they were to me for spending time with them and giving them an opportunity to feel good about themselves.”

“Later”, stated Bristol-Henry, “several of them confided in me about not having alternative activities to gangs and other risky behavior, and that dance was their only reason for showing up to school everyday and not getting into trouble.”

With arts acting as a reflection of society and culture, Compton is more known for “gangster rap”, “soft-porn rap videos”, corruption and crime. It is this reputation that the City of Compton is combating which makes it vitally important for Compton Dance Theatre to exist and to serve the youth of the greater South Los Angeles area.

After seeing the overwhelming need for regular after-school dance programming, Bristol-Henry scrambled for space to hold classes for her faithful students. “This is the only dance outlet that promotes an entire re-education on dance for both genders. Instead of being violent to one's self or another person, the preservation of life, health, and well-being is addressed. The young people in my program not only receive professional training in dance, they are held accountable for being self-directed, disciplined, and aspiring toward excellence in all that they do. They are also encouraged to experience life beyond their zip code”, she added.

In 2002, Bristol-Henry founded the 501c3 nonprofit corporation to become eligible for the much needed artistic and financial support. She explained, “I decided to call it Compton Dance Theatre Foundation because I wanted my students to have something that was a positive reflection on their neighborhood and on their efforts to make a difference in their community.”

Evidence of the quality of CDT’s dance training is seen in one of its 11 year old students, Victoria Portor, who auditioned and was accepted to American Ballet Theater’s 2008 summer intensive program. Compton Dance Theater has developed partnerships with the Music Center which referred American Ballet Theater’s education outreach director to CDT.

“Of course funding remains the biggest challenge we face and survival is put to the test on an all too frequent basis”, said Bristol-Henry, adding “we have been the recipient of grants and appreciate what has been provided thus far. But to continue, we need additional funding and more funding resources. We also need a permanent home.”
Compton Dance Theatre is currently located at 534 W. Compton Blvd. and can be reached by calling (310) 669-9908 or at www.comptondancetheatre.org.

Economic Growth in Compton

The city of Compton is making great strides in its mission of birthing a new Compton. New businesses are springing up and occupying once vacant lots and buildings.

Since Compton was named an entrepreneurial hot spot and ranked #2 for best places to start and grow a business, the city is enjoying a surge in economic growth. We now have Target, Staples, Best Buy, Wells Fargo, Fresh & Easy, Panda Express, 24 Hour Fitness, Ross and more….This is wonderful news for Compton residents as these new and welcomed circumstances create new jobs, new opportunities, more choices, and new resources in our community.

Just yesterday I was driving down Compton Blvd and noticed the new Compton Dance Theatre studio. I pulled over and ran in! There was a rehearsal in session but I was greeted by the director and one of the instructors.

The Compton Dance Theatre is a non profit organization that provides professional training in classical, contemporary, and cultural dance forms to Compton’s youth after school and during the summer.

This is exciting! Kids in Compton interested in the arts have some where to go, learn, and grow! It’s about time! When I was growing up there was no dance studio in Compton. I took modern/jazz/tap on the westside. I encourage everyone to support the Compton Dance Theatre. I am signing up for classes asap.

Even if you are not a Compton resident support this organization anyway with a donation and/or by spreading the word. This is an opportunity and benefit for young people that should be taken advantage of…this is an after school activity that can keep our kids off the streets and out of trouble…this is an art form that could inspire higher learning and help develop character. This is an organization that is in synch with birthing a new Compton. If you are a fellow blogger, I ask you to blog about it!

For more information about the Compton Dance Theatre visit http://comptondancetheatre.org.

DANCE AUDITIONS
General Information: Compton Dance Theatre is holding general auditions for its performance company for rehearsals beginning Feb. 11, 2008. Hourly pay for rehearsals and performances. Must have flexible schedule to rehearse and perform mornings & afternoons.

Requirements:
► Advanced level of training in ballet; pointe
► Advanced level of training in modern dance
(Graham & Horton technique)
► Must be over 18 years old
► Bring headshot and resume
► ALL ETHNICITIES are encouraged to audition
► NO HIP HOP dancers needed at this time

DATE: SUNDAY - FEBRUARY 3, 2008
TIME: 2:00pm
PLACE: Compton Dance Theatre
534 W. Compton Blvd.
Compton, CA 90220

American Ballet Theater Hosts Master Class in Compton


As American Ballet Theater prepares for its upcoming season at the Los Angeles Music Center, Compton Dance Theatre (CDT) will be one of the few locations where the company will teach Master Classes.

Richard Toda, American Ballet Theater's Artistic Coordinator of Educational
Outreach, will teach a beginner and intermediate ballet class at the urban
dance center on January 9, 2008. CDT's Founder and Artistic Director,
Carol Bristol-Henry, commented, "It is an honor for CDT to be recognized
by the Music Center and selected by American Ballet Theater for this season's educational outreach. Our students represent Los Angeles' diversity and they will be excited for the opportunity not only to take class from an instructor of this caliber who is associated with a major ballet company, but also to have the chance to display their talent."

According to Richard Toda, this series of master classes is intended to help
serious young dancers prepare for the California American Ballet Theatre
Summer Intensive Auditions. Regarding those students who may choose to proceed onward, he stated, "I look forward to meeting and working with your students and preparing them to attend the auditions." Even for those students who may not be gearing themselves as professional dancers, a master class experience provides the opportunity to better appreciate this form of art at a greater level.

Founded in 2002, CDT is a nonprofit dance organization that provides professional training in classical, contemporary, and cultural dance forms to youths and adults.

Located in the City of Compton, students from neighboring communities such as Lynwood, South Los Angeles and beyond frequent the dance studio. CDT recognizes the vital importance for arts programs to exist in this area and to provide young people with an option for artistic expression other than "gangster rap" and "soft-porn rap videos". According to Mrs. Bristol-Henry, "the discipline of dance helps to steer at-risk youth away from violence to themselves and others, and towards the preservation of life, health and well being. Students receive professional dance training, while learning to be self-directed, disciplined and aspiring toward excellence".

The two master classes are provided for registered students only. CDT is located at 534 W. Compton Blvd. and can be reached by calling (310) 669-9908 at
www.comptondancetheatre.org.

When dancer-choreographer Carol Bristol-Henry was asked to teach dance in the Compton school district, she was amazed by the raw talent she encountered in the young people. “Our children are very gifted,” said the 35-year-old Brooklyn native, who started teaching dance in Compton Unified schools five years ago.

“After school, the students would just hang around campus and they would be idle and get into trouble. So I started dance classes after school, but to tell you the truth, I was trying to avoid traffic on the 405 freeway,” laughed Bristol-Henry, a West Los Angeles resident.

Bristol-Henry, who has been teaching dance for 19 years, was stunned when she realized that no dance theatre existed in the city of Compton.

The dance teacher, who has taught in many cities, said that untapped talent can be found in many undeserved neighborhoods. “Most inner cities do not have dance programming and when they do, they do not have professional quality programming,” Bristol-Henry acknowledged. “There are so many young people with talent who do not have access to any type of artistic training,” said the dancer-choreographer, who has also taught dance in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC.

Despite having taught dance in large metropolitan cities, Bristol-Henry said that Compton is the city that “stole her heart.”
“This is one place I couldn’t leave,” admitted the dance instructor. “My heart is here because there are so many young people with extraordinary talent who typically do not have access to any type of artistic training.”

Determined to create a dance venue for Compton youth, Bristol-Henry established the Compton Dance Theatre Foundation in 2002. Bristol-Henry’s goal is to mold young dancers into professional performing artists so that they will be eligible to acquire scholarships to dance companies.

“Most of the time, when a young dancer auditions for a dance company, they have the natural talent but they have no training,” said Bristol-Henry. “They have been led to believe that they do not need formal training, so they just wing it and they get passed up for scholarship opportunities. More often than not, when they audition and don’t get a scholarship, they get discouraged and don’t continue.”
Bristol-Henry said that her school will offer a professional training program for students interested in pursuing dance as a career as well as a dance program for young people who want to explore the art form.

Bristol-Henry said that she loves teaching dance and has witnessed many of her students join professional dance companies. “Some of my dancers have gone on to perform in Broadway and off-Broadway productions,” said the dance instructor. Currently in the midst of renovations, the Compton Dance Theatre is set to open in June. “We have a summer program that is starting June 18 and ending August 3,” said the dance instructor. “It’s an all-day program for children from age 7 to 13. We also have dance instruction for adults in the afternoon and in the evening.”

Members of the Compton Dance Theatre have performed before the Legislative Black Caucus and hosts an annual Kwanzaa celebration as well as spring and summer concerts.

Bristol-Henry said that the theatre teaches modern, African, Latin and ballet techniques and that dance has the ability to “transform” a student. “They learn discipline and a sense of pride. They learn to understand human behavior and how and why we move the way we do,” said Bristol-Henry. “Dance exposes the student to so many other different subjects in terms of the arts and academia,” said the dance instructor, who said that before she teaches a dance, she paints a picture of its historical and cultural context.

Bristol-Henry is excited about opening the doors of the theatre. Pointing to two flowerbeds that grace the front of the studio, Bristol-Henry said, “I want my students to bloom like a beautiful garden.”

The Compton Dance Theatre is located at 534 W. Compton Blvd. and can be reached by calling (310) 669-9908 or access the web site at www.comptondancetheatre.org.

Compton Dance Theatre Foundation will be hosting its annual celebrated “Spring Dance Concert” on Saturday, June 17, 2006, at 7:30pm. The event will be held in the University Theatre of California State University, Dominguez Hills (1000 East Victoria Street, Carson, CA, 90747). The cost of admission in advance is $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 12 and younger. Door prices will be $25 for adults and $15 for children.

In addition to the performance of the students, the audience will enjoy guest artists’ performances from members of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. All proceeds from the concert will benefit Compton Dance Theatre’s dance programming activities scheduled for the 2006-2007 session.

Founded in 2002, Compton Dance Theatre Foundation is a nonprofit dance organization that provides professional training in dance to youths ages 5 to 18 in the City of Compton and its surrounding areas. Assisted by partnerships with the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and the Los Angeles Unified School District, the foundation provides quality after-school and summer dance programming to desiring and enthusiastic youths.

Students participating in the dance program at Compton Dance Theatre Foundation are trained in classical, contemporary, and cultural forms of dance. Mrs. Carol Bristol-Henry is the Founder and Artistic Director of the foundation. While working as a dance instructor for the Compton Unified School District, Mrs. Bristol-Henry identified an obvious need to create after-school and summer recess dance/art programming that would serve as a positive and creative alternative activity to for “at risk” youths. To date, the organization has received rave reviews for its consistency in fine artistic representation of dance.

For additional information about the “Spring Dance Concert” and enrollment for the 2006-2007 session, please visit our website at www.ComptonDance.org or contact us by phone at (310) 669-9908.

A Unique Compton Dance Concert
Written by Ari L.Noonan
Friday, June 16, 2006
Scarcely any Westside neighborhood can match the sheer beauty of Ladera Heights on a sunshine-bathed afternoon, especially when the undulating hillsides frame the portrait of an engaging and accomplished young woman. In the process of — almost accidentally — transforming the social lives of unsuspecting young students in Compton, the performer-teacher Carol Bristol-Henry has instituted a tradition that will be renewed on Saturday evening. With an assist from four professional friends, guest artists whom their teacher has recruited, three dozen boys and girls between the ages 5 and 18 will artfully glide across the stage of the University Theatre of Cal State Dominguez Hills, 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson, at 7:30 p.m. Among the professional performers on the program are are Dwana Smallwood, the principal dancer with the prestigious Alvin Ailey American Dance Co., and Crystal Michelle of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Co. “They like the idea of giving back to the community and sharing their art,” Ms. Bristol-Henry told thefrontpageonline.com. The celebratory occasion at Cal State Dominguez Hills is the Compton Dance Theatre Foundation’s fourth Spring Dance Concert.

Serendipity on the Dance Floor

Until Ms. Bristol-Henry unintentionally landed in their neighborhood, the Compton students had no more notion of dancing than they did of flying, and that really is the main — but not the only — storyline for this unusual Spring Concert. They would not be here without her. Without them, she herself probably would be on stage somewhere. Artfully, she has danced across the Continent and across the glitziest stages in the United States. As it happens, the students, some of whom were already — or were considering — meandering off on perilous tangents, lucked into a star-level teacher who never dreamed of putting Compton on her map. Ms. Bristol-Henry, you may safely deduce, is a double-barreled neon attraction quite on her own.


Time for Nature to Dance

Possibly in honor of Ms. Bristol-Henry who was taking a teaching break from instructing several students in a mirrored room, the scene was theatrical on Thursday afternoon was dramatically theatrical. As she stepped outdoors to take her place on a comforting bench, overhead the late afternoon sun and the dappled shadows danced a minuet as she rhythmically unfolded her story. The American-born daughter of clear-thinking parents who emigrated from Guyana to Brooklyn, she is a rare artist. Steeped perhaps equally in academics and performing ability, Ms. Bristol-Henry brings to her previously art-starved students a talent for communing with them intellectually about the art form she is going to teach their feet and the rest of their moving parts.


Taking a Closer Look

Although still young, Ms. Bristol-Henry has led a fascinating life, and she will be profiled during the coming days in thefrontpageonline.com. Six years ago, she moved here from her native New York. Two years later, when her university position ended, she came to the Compton School District, which meant she had concerns to overcome. Unlike perhaps most other dancers, she speaks in the manner of a university professor, and that helps to make her story even more appealing.


Postscript

Ticket prices for Saturday night’s Spring Dance Concert, at the door, are $25 for adults and $15 for children. In advance, they are $20 and $10. Telephone:310.669.9908. Website:ComptonDance.org.