Community Engagement
with Steamboat Dance Theatre
SDT offers a variety of different programs designed to bring dance education into schools, youth clubs and more.
Outreach
In the Schools
SDT is working with the local elementary schools to bring dance programming into the physical education curriculum. In 2023 SDT brought dance to 3rd graders in 4 schools in the area. In 2024 the program expanded to include 5th grade and reached 8 schools in Routt County. The program went from serving approximately 200 students in 2023 to almost 500 students in 2024. SDT trains and pays the instructors through grant funding, so that this program is FREE to the schools.
Other
Youth Initiatives
In the FY 23-24, SDT brought dance to Boys and Girls Club, worked with the City of Steamboat and Perry Mansfield to bring dance to after school and school days off programming, and partnered with Steamboat Creates and The City of Steamboat for summer camp initiatives.
Dance Vitality: bringing dance education and free workshops to the community on the multifaceted benefits of dance!
Embrace the Rhythm of Aging
Did you know? It has been scientifically proven that the ONLY physical activity to offer protection against dementia is frequent dancing:
Reading= 35% reduced risk, Cycling & Swimming = 0%, Crossword Puzzles (4x/week)= 47%, Golf = 0%, Dancing Frequently = 76%! Study suggests – do it often! Seniors who took dance lessons 4 days a week had a measurably lower risk of Dementia than those who did it once or not at all.
SDT aims to bring instructors to Steamboat throughout the year to teach movement classes for those with Parkinson’s, other mobility challenges, or the aging population who just wants to MOVE. Help your brain, help your body! Dance Today!
Movement for Healthy Minds
Dancing is a TOOL for mental health, an outlet that grounds you and lifts you and fosters innate joy. Dancing is a form of expression that allows the person to lose oneself and find oneself simultaneously. SDT aims to help Steamboat residents increase quality of life by providing opportunities and education on the benefits of dance as it relates to mental health. We offer FREE therapeutic movement classes- contact us today confidentially at info@steamboatdancetheatre.org with interest.
Athletic Performance
It’s no secret! Professional football players and other athletes are adding dance to their training repertoire. Why? Ballet provides an excellent foundation in stability, flexibility, agility, core strength, balance, and rhythm. It also can help prevent injury and aid in injury recovery. Several recent studies have shown these results. SDT is bringing ballet into Steamboat’s athletic associations as well as partnering with a local studio to offer a ballet for athletes class. To be released in the fall/2024.
Collaborations
In the Community
SDT works to bridge the gap between high cost of living and accessibility to the arts by partnering with local organizations and nonprofits such as Boys and Girls Club, REPS, Queer Futures, The Health Partnership, and Winter Sports Club to offer free dance instruction and exposure to the powerful transformative nature of dance. If you have an interest in partnering or learning more please contact us.
Adaptive Dance – Information Coming Soon!