Working Together to Support Arts, Health and Education

The School of Theatre & Dance was again pleased to collaborate with Arts4All Florida, a private not-for-profit organization that conducts art education programs in schools, Department of Juvenile Justice facilities, and community centers. Housed in the USF College of Education, Arts4All promotes the accomplishments of artists with disabilities and provides increased access to the arts through professional development workshops.

Professor Merry Lynn Morris, Interim Director of the School of Theatre & Dance, serves as a Board Member and frequently collaborates with the organization to produce dance and disability related events. Professor Clint Randles, School of Music, also serves on the board and teaches classes for students with disabilities in a community music outreach sponsored by the organization. Professor Andrew Carroll teaches specialized Dance for PD® classes online through Arts4All to people with Parkinson’s, and their families, friends, and care partners.

This year, USF dance and music students performed alongside professional artists with disabilities in dance, music, and theatre in From Backstage to Center Stage: A Celebration of Access and Inclusion in the Arts. Morris served as artistic director and collaborated with Randles to shape the performance program. Both the School of Theatre & Dance and the School of Music hosted master classes with the artists.

For students, an important part of this experience included a choreographic residency with Marc Brew, acclaimed international choreographer, supported through the School of Theatre & Dance’s Holloway endowment. USF dance students participating in the Marc Brew piece toured to Miami to do both outreach and a performance.