Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Outreach

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and outreach are priorities at Pasadena Dance Theatre, and central to the pedagogy of our organization. As we experience and embrace the 21st century in an art form rooted in the 16th century, PDT is committed to expanding access to students from groups traditionally underrepresented in ballet. Anyone who holds the love of dance in their body of any color, shape, and size is welcomed at PDT, and encouraged to see themselves as a valuable component of ballet’s future. Pasadena Dance Theatre is proud to balance and hold space for both the excellence and the discipline of ballet’s roots with the acceptance and encouragement of ALL who dream to train in it. 

 

Some ways PDT supports Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

Uniform:

• PDT students are encouraged to wear tights & shoes which match their skin tone.

• Leotard styles in the technique levels are individually chosen to best support different body types and needs.

 

Health & Wellness (physical & mental):

• Focus is on a healthy body.

• Rest is essential, necessary, & encouraged.

• Pointe work is carefully assessed and a slow and safe program is followed.

• Turnout & flexibility are guided and not forced.

​

Outreach: 

Nutcracker: 

Our Nutcracker performance outreach program, in existence since 1997, offers low cost dance performances of our annual Nutcracker to over 5,000 school children from underserved schools. This program has given students a live theatrical experience at the historic San Gabriel Mission Playhouse with music and dance set to a story hundreds of years old. We are proud to offer many of these children their first experience with the ballet and hope to inspire a new generation of diverse dancers.

​

National Dance Day: 

In 2013, Pasadena Dance Theatre began offering FREE dance classes to the community in celebration of National Dance Day 1-2 times annually. We offer a variety of free classes for all ages and levels of dance experience. Our instructors come from all over Los Angeles and represent a wide range of cultural diversity and experience.

 

Boys Scholarship Program: 

In 2015, PDT launched our Boys Scholarship program, aimed at recruiting boys from underserved communities interested in dance. Historically in the United States, boys have been underrepresented in dance companies and schools, but are incredibly important to a well-rounded dance program. Pasadena Dance Theatre is dedicated to bringing ballet and other forms of dance into the lives of boys, giving them strength, grace, flexibility, dedication, and performance opportunities.

 

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

Pasadena Dance Theatre admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin in administration of its education policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs or any other school-administered programs.