Everyone Should Have Accessibility To Dance Regardless Of Socioeconomic Background, Age, Training Or Physical Ability

Rise To Dance describes our belief that dance should be accessible, inclusive, equitable and diverse. These principles represent the core value, philosophy and culture of our entire organization, and they were our motivation for founding Polaris Dance Theatre in 2002. All of our programming and activities fall underneath the umbrella of Rise To Dance, and its philosophy permeates every aspect of our organization, from the leadership, board and staff, to students, families, partners, programs and performances.

Our belief is that everyone and Every “Body” should have accessibility to dance, regardless of socioeconomic background, age, race, gender, identity, and physical or mental ability. Over the years we have passionately and devotedly built a community based on these beliefs. Our motivation comes from the desire to make the experience and expression of dance, and dance education, fully accessible to ALL. Please come dance with us!

The Rise to Dance philosophy is exemplified throughout Polaris’ community programming. It is what inspires our All Access dance classes for people with altered abilities, and our international exchange programs for dance students in China. It also informs our scholarships for single parents and low-income households, and our annual dance festival offering free classes and performances to the public. Polaris also has a professional dance company that performs moving, thought-provoking work, intended to inspire and move hearts and souls. But, it is our community “outreach” through Rise to Dance that is our driving force of inspiration.

We are continuously working to improve and grow our ability to make a difference and effect positive change. With the help of our community, our motivation is to tear down walls, elitism and barriers, so that we all may Rise to Dance. We accomplish this by bringing together other like-hearted creatives and collaborating, sharing resources, and building opportunities to celebrate diversity, individuality and unity. If you would like to be a part of this creative movement, please reach out to us today. We want to hear from you!

The following are the core values of the Rise To Dance philosophy.

  • Every Body can dance – No matter your age, body type or ability (physical or mental), we are all dancers!
  • Every Body should dance – Our mental and physical health requires that we move, so we should move! Additionally, we benefit from learning how to move with others in a shared, collaborative space.
  • Every Body is free – To dance and express themselves through movement.
  • Every Body is welcomed, respected, nurtured and valued – No matter your economic or social background. No matter your origin, color, or religion. No matter who you love, how you love, or your orientation. Every Body is safe here.
  • Everybody’s voice is heard and valued in all aspects of Polaris Dance Theatre. We are strongest when we use our collective voice.

WHAT DOES RISE TO DANCE MEAN?
Let’s Break it down!

Polaris’ Rise to Dance program offers year-round programming focused on breaking down barriers of socioeconomic background, age, and physical/mental ability, allowing ALL members of the community to experience the power of dance.

Polaris Dance Theatre

Led by Polaris co-founder and Artistic Director, Robert Guitron, our professional, multidisciplinary dance company moves to inspire minds and souls with passionate, thought-provoking work. The company embraces the many diverse languages of dance, with a focus on the human experience and social commentary. Mr. Guitron brings his seasoned experience and eclectic dance background to the work and has been honing the company’s eclectic voice from its inception.

JCO and NEO

The Polaris Junior Company (JCo) was established in 2011 as a pre-professional company for youth ages 13 – 18. The program is designed to offer young, talented dancers a chance to grow their skills and experience the demands of rehearsing and performing in a mock professional environment. This is a tuition-based training program, with limited scholarships available upon application and approval. NEO is the springboard youth company that feeds into JCO, and is designed for youth ages 10-13. It is a preparatory program which mirrors in principle and practices its older sibling, JCO.
Auditions are required.

All Access

The All Access Dance program is dedicated to the belief that every “body,” no matter age or ability, can and should dance. We believe that every “body” has the potential to explore movement, and the right to experience empowerment and healing through dance. The program’s core philosophy is one of inclusivity, meaning the traditional lines between ‘abled bodies’ and those with disabilities, and the lines between different demographics, does not exist here. Instead, individuals and communities of diverse backgrounds and abilities have the opportunity to come together and celebrate a shared love of dance.  The All Access program seeks not only to work with the individuals but, to work collaboratively with organizations and centers that work with individuals from the senior and altered abilities communities.

Groovin’ Greenhouse

Polaris is a collaborative partner of the Fertile Ground Festival of New Works which began as a citywide festival showcasing new and emerging works in theater. In 2010, Polaris spearheaded the introduction of dance to the festival through its founding of Groovin’ Greenhouse, which is now the dance hub for the Fertile Ground Festival. Because we believe dance should be experienced and enjoyed by ALL, Groovin’ Greenhouse includes two weeks of non-adjudicated dance performances, showcasing new and emerging works from diverse dance companies in our community. Every January, Groovin’ Greenhouse is held at the Polaris Dance Theatre studio theater

Galaxy Dance Festival

Founded and curated by Polaris Dance Theatre, this three-day outdoor summer festival is held every year at Director Park in downtown Portland, and celebrates the rich diversity of dance in our city and beyond. The festival is open to the public and offers free dance performances and classes presented by a multitude of local, regional and national companies. It is an inclusive and collaborative platform that strives to help spectators and participants develop a better appreciation of the diversity of dance that is happening in our community.

Over the years, the festival has featured an eclectic mix of dance styles including aerial, ballet, hip hop, ballroom, belly dance, contemporary, modern, folk, jazz, and a variety of ethnic and cultural dance forms. Over 3500 people attend the festival each year.

Cultural Exchange

We believe in bridging cultural divides, and finding commonalities between international communities. These cultural exchanges are of the utmost importance, especially in our often divisive times. Twice per year, Polaris hosts 50-70 children from China in collaboration with the Children’s Welfare Palace of Shanghai. Polaris provides these children with dance and vocal classes and workshops, taught by local instructors and choreographers. The children are also given performance opportunities, allowing them to share traditional Chinese dances with American audiences. Beyond politics and language, we come together through these cultural exchanges and find commonality and humanity through the mutual language of dance. We are always looking for opportunities to expand our cultural exchange program. In 2018 our cultural program expanded its reach from Polaris to sharing exchanges with the Beaverton, Portland and Vancouver School Districts.

Free to Dance Program

Polaris believes that dance should be accessible to all, especially for those who do not have the financial means to enjoy it. To help make dance more accessible, we offer free dance opportunities throughout the year, in an effort to expose more people to the healing benefits of dance, and as a means of investing back into our community. Throughout the year, Polaris provides free classes, performances, and programming for the public. Some examples of Free to Dance in action include: free performances for public schools and non-profit organizations, a free day of dance classes held periodically throughout the year, an annual dance festival providing free dance classes and performances, open rehearsal events, and more! For those interested in studying dance, we offer a number of full and partial scholarships to our school for students in need. No one is turned away at Polaris!

Outer Limits Program

At Polaris, we see technology as an opportunity to make dance accessible to a larger, more global audience. We believe that through the expansion of technology, we can provide dance exposure that was once logistically and/or financially impossible for certain populations. We seek to do this by developing an online library of performances and classes through live video, using an affordable online subscription format with an intimate, personal quality. We aim to focus our reach on rural communities that have limited access to dance, and/or limited financial resources to enjoy dance. We also wish to focus on individuals whose situation may keep them homebound. (This could include people with physical/mental disabilities, social anxieties, individuals living in senior citizen homes, or staying in hospitals, etc.) Outer Limits aims to spread the enjoyment of dance through the wonders of technology, while maintaining the personal, community-oriented focus that is the lifeblood of Polaris.