ABOUT US

Library Dances is a 501(c)3 nonprofit in Santa Barbara, CA that works to improve students' kinetic understanding, literary comprehension, and self-esteem by teaching them dance and literature.

As part of State Street Ballet's outreach programming, we bring professional dancers into the classroom to provide positive role models and one on one mentoring.

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Our goal is to make theater, dance, and literature relevant and accessible to thousands of students whether onstage or in the audience.

Our 2022 Season Projects

Winter

The Library Dances team took two weeks to work with Santa Barbara Junior High students (many of whom had never danced before) to create the dance and video shown above. This project took place within the first two weeks that students returned to school after virtual learning and gave the students an opportunity to work together again. As one student shared, "I learned I could do something I didn't know I could do."

This program is possible with support from the Léni Fe Bland Performing Arts Partnership.

Spring

Library Dances partners with Opera San Luis Obispo and State Street Ballet to produce a bilingual video based on California Visual and Performing Arts Content Standards. This interactive digital experience will take audiences behind the scenes in rehearsals and will explore the choreographic process, as well as all of the aspects needed to create a fully produced live performance. This video will be accompanied by a bilingual study guide and will be shared across San Louis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ojai school districts.

This program is possible with support from the Léni Fe Bland Performing Arts Partnership, the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation, and the Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation.

Fall

Library Dances and the Santa Barbara Junior Performing Arts Club are back in-person! Under the direction of Rich Lashua, with choreographer Cecily MacDougall, and professional dancers from State Street Ballet, get ready to see "A Midsummer Night's Dream" like you've never seen it before. Performances  at The Marjorie Luke Theatre on November 17 & 18.

This program is possible with support from the Léni Fe Bland Performing Arts Partnership.

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Our 2023 Season Projects

Winter

Our "Dancers in the Classroom" workshops are back and more popular than ever before. The Library Dances teaching artists will guide students from San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara High School, and Goleta Valley Junior High School to explore the classic tale of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" through movement, characterization, and improvisation. Students will learn different dance styles, storytelling through movement, and how to delve into one of Shakespeare's most delightful comedies!

This program is possible with support from the Léni Fe Bland Performing Arts Partnership and supporters like you!