Gettysburg College Dance Ensemble

Are you interested in choreographing and teaching a dance? Come check out Dance Ensemble’s choreographers meeting happening through Zoom! The link to join is in our bio or you can use the meeting ID: 272 449 3509. We’re excited to see you there!

Since the creation of ballet in the 15th century, Western styles of dance have been a hobby and profession that systematically excludes people of color. Today, many ballet companies across the country lack diversity, often causing talented dancers of color to be cast in background roles that they are vastly overqualified for as hypersexualized caricatures of other minorities, or barred from dance companies completely. Misty Copeland made headlines by becoming the first black ...ballerina to be a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre just five years ago in 2015. Today, universities and dance schools around the world offer courses in ballet and other styles of Western dance but exclude dance styles originated by people of color. Costuming in many famous Western ballets appropriates clothing from cultures around the world and profits off of it. In many communities, people of color not only see a lack of representation in their dance studios, but also do not have access to dance materials that match their skin tones. Throughout the history of ballet, black women were often forced to pancake their skin to lighter colors or make their shoes darker to match their own skin color, as tights and ballet shoes in the right skin tone are extremely difficult to find and even more difficult to afford. Dance Ensemble urges you to sign the petition in the comments for Capezio to manufacture ballet shoes in all skin tones and to continue to educate yourself on how to be a better ally to the black community, both in and out of the dance world. Read the articles in the comment section to learn more about the relationship between racism and Western dance.

Happy Get Acquainted Day from Gettysburg College Dance Ensemble! We hope the Class of 2024 is finding our online GAD interesting, innovative and informational! As we made our Instagram posts for the event, we were reminded of some really great moments in the club. Remember to follow us @gburgdanceensemble on insta!

Hey everyone!!! We hope you're excited for another fun semester of Dance Ensemble! We have a lot of great choreographers and classes to choose from. The ful...l list is attached! Classes start Today (Monday, 2/3)!!!!!! Remember, there is a 2 week trial period so you can try as many classes as you want for the first two weeks, but after that, we ask you to commit so that we can start preparing for the showcase!