Somewhere there is a little girl wondering if a Black girl can be a Ballerina. Well, if she visits the KIDDS Dance Project, she can see that very thing happen at the upcoming production of “The Butterfly” next month.
KIDDS Dance Project is currently preparing for its next production titled “The Butterfly,” a family-friendly musical to help children learn to cope with bullies and learn to forgive those who hurt them. The Butterfly production will appear on Saturday, November 12th at 6:00 p.m. at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Dr, Decatur, GA 30034.
The ballet company is a 501(C)(3) compliant community organization for youth. The mission of the project is “building character through the performing arts.” Pat Martin, a registered nurse with over 18 years of experience in the area of behavioral health, is the director.
For 26 years now, Martin and the KIDDS have been wowing audiences with their original musical theater productions. They are the recipients of many community awards, such as the Building a Better Georgia award, the Best Program for Children award, and the Phoenix award from the office of the Atlanta Mayor.
They have seen the power of Dance to not only improve students’ academic performance but to also bring awareness to health issues impacting children in our community. They have done a production to help raise awareness for Sickle Cell Anemia for the Grady Hospital Pediatric Clinic and recently did a production to help fund research for a cure for Type 1 Diabetes in Children.
Martin says she is “fortunate” to have her own family serve as members of the KIDDS’ staff. Her oldest daughter, Melody Martin, is the choreographer. Her youngest daughter, Tracy Martin, now working a one-year Vegas residency with Cirque Du Solei, is the music director. Her niece, Natasha Daugherty, is the classical ballet Instructor.
Get tickets and show info here. For more information about the organization, visit the KIDDS Dance Project website.