BIPOC & LGBTQ2S+

“Freedom School of Dance recognizes that dance and the performing arts would not be where they are today without the influences of Black culture or the LGBTQ2S+ community. In dance, just as in most other areas of society, these communities have been under-represented, under-appreciated, and mistreated. From a lack of recognition for their contributions to a lack of opportunity for their youth, from distasteful representations in traditional theatre to a lack of appropriate available roles. It’s time for the performing arts community to recognize that theatre would be significantly less advanced without the contributions of these groups. It is essential to understand how theatre reached its current state and not to allow history to be selective or forgotten. Just like society, theatre benefits from diversity. To enjoy dynamic, exciting and diverse theatre, the teams of performers and creators also need to be dynamic, exciting and diverse.

Below are lists of Black and LGBTQ2S+ icons. These lists are non-exhaustive and only scrape the surface of the impacts made by these communities. The figures listed not only influenced the styles seen in dance and theatre today, but they are also part of the list of potential role models for young performers to see themselves in.

A greater diversity of role models will create a greater diversity of new young performers who will dream about being on stage! ”