RACE'S HIP HOP NUTCRACKER
DECEMBER 6 AND 7TH

 

Students Share Stage with RACE Dance Collective in RACE’s Hip Hop Nutcracker

RACE Dance Collective mentors 50 students from dance programs in five Oklahoma City Public Schools for the eighth annual production of RACE’s Hip Hop Nutcracker. Show performances are set for 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 6th and 2:00 and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 7th at Oklahoma City Community College Visual and Performing Arts Center located at 7777 S May Ave. in Oklahoma City.

Students involved in dance programs at Southeast High School, John Marshall High School, Northwest Classen High School, Capitol Hill High School, and U.S. Grant High School will perform in the show. RACE Company members mentor the kids once-to-twice a week leading up to the show from September.

“We go to teach them the choreography and fundamentals of hip-hop, but we leave knowing we’ve impacted these kids way beyond the dance floor,” Hui Cha Poos, Founder of RACE Dance Collective. “For many of these kids, this is life changing – being able to perform in a professional setting is something they never dreamt would be possible.”

Poos says RACE’s Hip Hop Nutcracker also advances the Collective's mission to provide intentional and genre-inclusive dance experiences through performance, education, and community outreach.

“We bring kids together from different schools and different backgrounds in a non-competitive environment where it’s all about collaboration and inclusion. The result is truly magical – not just for the kids, the audience can see and feel it throughout the performance,” said Poos.

This year, RACE Dance Collective is bringing back a campaign from 2013. The shoes that the OKCPS students wear as part of the production will be theirs to keep. “It’s a symbol of positive memories gained through powerful mentorships and collaborative storytelling. Not only are these shoes worn as part of their costumes, but they serve as a reminder of their creative journey through self-discovery and expression that resonates long after their final bow.”

Set to high-energy music and with hip hop, contemporary, and even tap moves, RACE’s Hip Hop Nutcracker tells the story of a young man who searches for something missing from his life, only to discover that "it” exists within himself. The take away for the audience is a message of perseverance, family and holiday spirit.

Individual tickets can be purchased for $20 online or $25 at the door. Inquiries for group and special rates can be directed to racethespace@gmail.com.

https://tickets.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?e=a6a69bc7b3570b374f9f5f173a3938f0&t=tix&vqitq=b7e858fe-286c-4001-82c5-52d482365631&vqitp=56597c89-9b97-4053-89c3-eb900592b0dc&vqitts=1573833534&vqitc=vendini&vqite=itl&vqitrt=Safetynet&vqith=761dc220906cda67b898a394aa7e4572

For more information about RACE’s Hip Hop Nutcracker, visit: racedance.com.