Inspiring Film Shows Power Of Combining Art And Activism Through Ballet

By Taryn Finley via https://www.huffingtonpost.com

The Dance Theatre of Harlem is sending their message through dance for the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.

The Dance Theatre of Harlem is emphasizing the power of activism through ballet with its new short film “The Movement.”

In the promotional film, directed by Daniel Schloss, children gather around a TV and watch as critical events throughout history unfold interspersed with clips describing the historically black dance company’s rise and role through the decades. The young dancers watch footage of former President Lyndon B. Johnson announcing the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and South African protesters advocating for the release of Nelson Mandela.

The kids turn the energy from each historic moment into their own routine to Billy Porter’s “Keep Moving.” Older dancers then join in on the routine, and the entire studio is eventually filled with ballet dancers taking a stance through art.

Dance Theatre of Harlem’s artistic director Virginia Johnson told HuffPost in a statement…

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