BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia Dance Company is the state’s only touring dance company and has been based in Beckley since its inception. WVDC holds performances and workshops throughout the state and will bring their program to Raleigh County schools Oct. 30- Nov. 3. They will conduct 18 workshops and performances of their show based on K-12 curriculum standards, “Continental Carousel: STREAMing the Globe”, at the Woodrow Wilson Auditorium.
“Continental Carousel: STREAMing the Globe” is a show about the seven continents developed using movement and sound languages and corresponding lesson plans written by West Virginia master teachers targeted towards science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and math subjects. Educational shows are a large part of the WVDC touring schedule and will have completed dozens of shows in Raleigh, Wyoming and Kanawha County by the end of the first half of their season on Dec. 7. WVDC has also toured their educational pieces to the STEAM Showcase in Charleston, W. Va., where they gave a demonstration and lessons to schools from across West Virginia.
Christy Massie, an elementary teacher at Baileysville Elementary and Middle School, had this to say about the show, “The program was wonderful! The students loved to participate and watch the dancers. They loved it! We have several students who learn differently, and the movement helped to keep them engaged and able to learn a variety of subjects. We are actually discussing Asia in a writing assignment. My third graders were very excited! We all enjoyed the arts education project, “Continental Carousel: STREAMING the Globe”.”
WVDC is sponsored by the Carter Family Foundation, WV Department of Arts, Culture & History, Beckley Area Foundation, The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation and Benedum Foundation to be able to bring these educational performances all over West Virginia. WVDC will be back in Beckley in March for a community performance at Woodrow Wilson Auditorium as they celebrate 47 years of operation. More information about WVDC and their work can be found on their website, https://wvdanceco.com.