Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center
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Articles

Kabby Mitchell III, first black dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet

Kabby Mitchell III, first black dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet

Kabby Mitchell III, first black dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/kabby-mitchell-iii-first-black-dancer-with-pacific-northwest-ballet-dies/

Tacoma News Tribune

Kabby Mitchell III, first black dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet

Kabby Mitchell III, first black dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet

 Tacoma News Tribune Feature Article 

South Sound Talk

 

T.U.P.A.C.: Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center Brings World-Class Dance to All


by: Gale Hemmann

Find out more

Videos

KBTC Northwest Now - T.U.P.A.C opens its doors.

Kabby Mitchell, lll "Celebration of Life" at The Paramount Theatre - July 9, 2017

HARRIET: THE BLACK SWAN IN THE YEAR OF COVID-19

 Inspired by conversations with Dr. Maxine Mimms & the late Kabby Mitchell IIISelected for The 2020 Kwanzaa Film Festival Selected for The 2020 Alt Alternative Film Festival Selected for The 2021 WRPN Women's International Film Festival Selected for The 2021 Children's Film Festival Seattle Selected for The 2021 Imagine Rain Independent Film FestivalSelected for the  The Anatolia International Film Festival Selected for the  The Gold Star Movie Awards  Selected for The Cannes World Film Festival
 

Check out this behind the scenes video from our 2018 production of The Urban Nutcracker.

This & That

Been away from Dance Classes for a While?

T.U.P.A.C. STUDENT NAMED ONE OF 100 CHANGEMAKERS BY BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION

T.U.P.A.C. STUDENT NAMED ONE OF 100 CHANGEMAKERS BY BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION

 Love yourself and take a dance class!


A good place to start: Open Beginner Ballet:  Come and join us at T.U.P.A.C. a fun, welcoming and focused dance environment! 

Every Friday 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2604609/Taking-ballet-old-age-help-ward-dementia-And-dont-worry-creaky-knees-neednt-hold-back.html




T.U.P.A.C. STUDENT NAMED ONE OF 100 CHANGEMAKERS BY BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION

T.U.P.A.C. STUDENT NAMED ONE OF 100 CHANGEMAKERS BY BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION

T.U.P.A.C. STUDENT NAMED ONE OF 100 CHANGEMAKERS BY BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION

   https://www.discovergates.org/exhibition/wethefuture/local-changemakers/ 

 

RENEE WILLIAMS

Renee is an African American Tacoma-based ballet dancer. She has been dancing with the Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center (T.U.P.A.C.) for three years and utilizes dance

as a medium for community healing. Renee is committed to advocating for access to the arts and dance for more young people of color.

Instagram: @Tacoma.upac 

YouTube

Website: tacomaupac.org/who-we-are

Find out more

Testimonials

T.U.P.A.C. STUDENT NAMED ONE OF 100 CHANGEMAKERS BY BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION

A Dancer's Life

 

"Olivia  has learned so much in the so many months that she's been taking dance  classes at T.U.P.A.C. Its amazing to see her growth. She loves every  class, especially ballet and calls herself a 'ballet nerd.' 
The  many performance opportunities give the kids a chance to be in front of  an audience and more importantly,  they allow the parents and kids a  chance to connect with the community. I love that. Through T.U.P.A.C, we  have also had the opportunity to see high quality performances, which  has helped to fuel my daughter's desire to learn, dance and perform. 

One  of the my favorite things about Olivia taking class at T.U.P.A.C is  that she now has so many mentors. The school helps to guide the children  to be healthy human beings and good community members. We look forward  to the Girls Hearts On Fire meetings, which help to empower girls and  provide holistic enrichment through creative projects, discussions and  other programs.   Thanks!" ~ Jenna Frieson (parent) 

A Dancer's Life

A Dancer's Life

A Dancer's Life

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/a-ballerina-just-suffered-a-terrible-injury-is-her-career-over/2018/06/29/86cb5740-68ff-11e8-bf8c-f9ed2e672adf_story.html?utm_term=.7081d5525868

FAQs

A Dancer's Life

FAQs

 

There is a strict dress code for each level of T.U.P.A.C. YDP students. So that we may accurately instruct students in proper techniques, the body must be visible. Showing respect for our art in conduct as well as a dress code helps foster the required discipline it takes to learn a classical art.

Leotards, tights and shoes can be purchased  online at Discount dance.com. 

Dancers who are not in dress code may be asked to sit out and observe class for that day.For safety and etiquette, only small post earrings may be worn. Facial jewelry must be flush (even) with the skin. No other jewelry including necklaces, watches, and bracelets or rings may be worn. Hair must be secured to keep hair out of eyes, and off of the neck – this is necessary for proper spotting. Hair clips and bows should not dangle from the ends of braids or twists. If hair is short there is no need to force it into a bun.

GIRLS 6-10:     Class assigned colored leotard, transition tights that match student’s skin color, canvas split soled ballet slippers – nude, pink or white (to be colored to match students skin color).

GIRLS & YOUNG WOMEN 11-18: Class assigned colored leotard,  transition tights that match student’s skin color, canvas or leather split soled ballet slippers – nude, pink or white (to be colored to match students skin color).

BOYS & YOUNG MEN 6-18:  White short-sleeve fitted tee shirt or leotard, black dance belt, black dance shorts or black transition tights, short white socks, white canvas or leather split  soled ballet shoes. 


PLEASE LET US KNOW IF THERE ARE FINANCIAL ISSUES IN ACQUIRING THE NECESSARY DANCE WEAR.   

                                                                     FAQ

Q. Where is T.U.P.A.C. located?

A. T.U.P.A.C. is located at  1301 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. 

Q. What qualifications are necessary to register for dance classes?

A. Auditions for placement are not necessary. The Autumn/Winter YDP Session will be divided by maturity and will follow the guidelines for the age and development of students as set by the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards (NCCAS).  

Q. How is the school year organized?

A. The 2020/2021 Autumn/Winter/Spring Session  

Q. Are classes open to observation throughout the year?

A. No, parents and outside guests may not observe classes, it is disruptive to the student and instructor. Parent observation will occur one week in each session.

Q. Are scholarships available?

A. There are merit and need based scholarships available for YDP students.

Q. Will there be performance opportunities?

A. All T.U.P.A.C. YDP students in good standing have the opportunity to participate in various productions throughout each session.

Q. Who do I contact if I have any questions?

A. Email: office@tacomaupac.org, or call: 253-327-1873. All students should also report their absences her

City Line TV Interview with Mayor Victoria Woodards

2019 AMOCAT Award Recipient

Community Outreach by an Organization - 

Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center

  • helped bridge the gaps in dance education for marginalized communities in Tacoma
  • offers high quality classical ballet for all ages
  • monthly community contemporary classes
  • offers specialized dance workshops


View the Tacoma City Line TV Interview

Check out this behind the scenes video from our 2018 production of The Urban Nutcracker.

Seattle Inter|national Dance Festival Artist Series

Curators Julie Tobiason and Klair Etheridge bring together artists for a celebration of the Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center.

Learn more

Revitalizing Hilltop's Art Community

Download PDF

Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center

A BLAST FROM THE PAST written by the late Matt Driscoll January 16, 2022

Another betrayal of Hilltop? Reconsideration of arts center makes some people think so By Matt Driscoll Updated January 16, 2022 2:13 PM| 


 Trust on Hilltop has been fractured, according to Klair Ethridge. Important commitments to the community have been thrown into question. All of it has left the 66-year-old co-founder of Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center feeling betrayed, angry and raw, and she’s not alone. In a historically Black neighborhood accustomed to getting the short end of the stick, recent waffling by the Tacoma Housing Authority can’t help but feel like more of the same. 


Ethridge opened Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center with the late Kabby Mitchell III in 2017, with a goal of providing top-notch performing arts instruction to children of color and marginalized communities. The nonprofit studio currently offers ballet, flamenco and other dance classes out of the old Hilltop Rite Aid building to more than 200 students. It’s another in a string of temporary homes. That’s one reason Ethridge was so excited when she started working with THA more than two years ago on a plan to make the Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center the anchor retail tenant in the housing authority’s soon-to-be-built 230 unit development at South 11th and L streets. The only problem? After years of discussion and preparation — including working with the housing authority and architects on potential designs — THA is now considering going in a different direction with the project. 


Ethridge’s vision — which she said was embraced by Hilltop residents and shared by THA staff members from the very beginning — is to open a studio and community performance space of more than 10,000 square feet, expanding arts access for children and delivering on a need that the community had voiced loud and clear. But earlier this month, she learned there might not be room for the community performance space she imagined, she said. In fact, the square footage THA has most recently offered TUPAC is roughly half of what was originally envisioned, according to emails provided to The News Tribune. Such a decision wouldn’t just scuttle her plans, Ethridge said, it would blatantly disregard the demands and desires of Hilltop residents. Meanwhile, for THA — which recently endured a tumultuous transfer of power at the top — it would be a misstep that threatens to erase all the work that went into proving that this time would be different. “It basically comes down to the fact that the new leadership just is not interested in the voice of the community,” Ethridge told The News Tribune. “It’s disappointing, to say the least, and I believe the community will really suffer because of it.” 


Early this week, THA Executive Director April Black confirmed THA’s intention to alter plans at the development and reduce the amount of commercial space available. On Friday, she said that decision is now being reconsidered — in part due to the community outcry. At an estimated cost of $92 million, Black described the project as “the largest single-phase development that THA has done since Salishan.” Given the amount of debt and federal housing tax credits that it will take to see it through to completion — which will exceed original estimates — she said that it’s potentially safer and more financially sound for the housing authority to reduce the amount of retail space while increasing the number of affordable housing units. Basically, Black explained, there’s less risk to the bottom line in housing, and cutting the amount of retail space would allow THA to include three more three-bedroom units. Designs for the development need to be finalized soon since the project is scheduled to break ground this year, she indicated, and THA’s mission of creating affordable housing must be front and center in any decision that’s made. “It is a difficult decision to make because I know we have been with TUPAC, and having a performing art space in the Hilltop is important to the community, but we’ve also been hearing that having housing in the Hilltop and housing in Tacoma is important,” Black said. 


While few people doubt that Tacoma and Hilltop are in desperate need of affordable housing, that doesn’t mean the possibility of THA abandoning a Black-led nonprofit that has been counting on the agency has been well received by some of the community leaders most invested in the neighborhood’s future. Brendan Nelson, the president of the Hilltop Action Coalition, described THA’s decision making-process as “problematic” and “out of touch.” He noted that community and cultural space was one of the things Hilltop residents repeatedly said they hoped to see in the new development, as was a commitment to support Black businesses. “This is something that has continued to happen to the Hilltop for many years. We are promised something and then it’s not executed. Things are just dropped in our community and we have no input,” Nelson said. He pointed to the years-long Design the Hill and Housing Hilltop initiatives that were specifically designed to gather community input and counteract the history of gentrification in the neighborhood while giving residents a say in their future. “Take it or leave it. We’ve continued to have that happen on Hilltop,” Nelson said. Christopher Paul Jordan, the director of Fab 5 — a Hilltop based arts and mentorship program — was integrally involved with both the Design the Hill and Housing Hilltop initiatives. 


  • Jordan said that a decision by THA to pull the rug out from under TUPAC would be a slap in the face to the community and also directly contradict all the work and faith that residents have put into the process. Jordan described it as a decision he’s not willing to accept. “Kicking out Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center and removing cultural and Black business spaces from the Housing Hilltop development is an unsafe and unhealthy idea that’s wrong for Hilltop and bad for Tacoma,” Jordan said. “This sudden eleventh-hour betrayal of democracy and community by THA is emblematic of the brazen kind of visionless leadership that unfortunately seems to excel when organizations responsible for housing abandon their values.” On Friday, Black said she realizes that Hilltop’s trust in THA is at stake, and plans to fully reconsider all the options before making the final call. While Ethridge said she was “relieved” to hear the news, she also acknowledged that “a certain skepticism remains.” “My hope is that they do make a reversal on the horrible decision, and that we’ll continue working to make a really viable performing arts space for the Hilltop community,” Ethridge said. “We will see what happens.” This story was originally published January 15, 2022 at 5:00 AM.


Read more at: https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/matt-driscoll/article257348767.html#storylink=cpy  





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At Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center, we believe that ballet is for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or ability. We strive to create a welcoming and supportive community where students can make lifelong friendships and feel a sense of belonging.

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Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center

1105 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, WA 98405

(253) 327-1873

office@tacomaupac.org | (253) 327-1873

A 501(c)3 non-profit corporation EIN#: 82-0972418 

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