Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access at LMU Dance
LMU Dance began hosting a series of Zoom Town Halls in the Fall of 2020 on the topic of “Decolonizing Dance: Sharing ideas on moving past oppressive systems of race, hierarchy, and patriarchy in the dance world.” This was a call to all members of the LMU Dance community–students, faculty, and alumni - to make their voices heard and to meaningfully improve equity and access in the department.
The department quickly expanded its Decolonizing Dance series to bring in guests and alumni to speak on their experiences and approaches to navigating diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access in the dance industry outside of LMU. We also have students lead sessions on DEIA topics, which has led to a number of rich discussions on the intersections of dance, gender, and sexuality.
As we continue the Decolonizing Dance series, we are committed to giving our students, faculty, and alumni the space to navigate how to be valuable and impactful members of the broader dance community.
Past Guests Have Included:
Jawole Willa Jo Zollar
Choreographer/Educator/Activist/Artistic Director of Urban Bush Women
Dr. S. Ama Wray
'Performance Architect' - improviser, choreographer, director, teacher, scholar, and creator of Embodiology®️
Gerald Casel
Casel is a choreographer and dancer who leads a community engagement program called Dancing Around Race, activating the community through candid discussions around racial equity.
Alumni:
Justice Domingo '18
Gillian Ebersole '20
Chadric Johnson '11
Clare Sitzer '17
Miranda Ordoñez '15