Dimensions Dance Theater

Dimensions Dance Theater in Oakland creates, performs, and teaches traditional and contemporary dance that centers on African American and African diasporic culture and experiences. Dimensions’ professional company presents two to four productions each year, often combining elements of dance, music, storytelling, and spoken word. The organization serves over 1,000 youth annually in after-school and out-of-school programs that provide dance education, cultural field trips, and performance opportunities. The organization also serves adult community members through community dance classes. Support of Dimensions Dance Theater aligns with the Performing Arts Program’s Communities strategy.

Dimensions Dance Theater presents dance performances drawn from African traditions and the African American diaspora experience. As a dynamic force in the cultural life of the East Bay, Dimensions offers a cluster of programs through residencies in the Oakland public school system, classes at its dance studio, and a sequence of annual performances by the adult company. Dimensions’ programming reaches nearly 8,000 audience members and more than 1,000 students in and after-school. Students are trained in movement and provided a cultural groundwork rooted in African traditions. Funding for Dimensions would address gaps between administrative capacities and artistic growth, and develop a new performance (The Town), which explores the many facets of Oakland’s urban conundrum, and will be the basis of the organization’s artistic and educational programming.