After School Matters has selected two Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater programs for the 2015-16 school year.
Ensemble Español, which is in its 40th year in residence at Northeastern Illinois University, will operate the programs at Theodore Roosevelt High School and Steinmetz College Prep in Chicago.
“Ensemble Español has worked with After School Matters for more than six years,” said Jorge Perez, the company’s executive director. “Several of our current youth company dancers and Northeastern students have participated in After School Matters, and we are thrilled to build this relationship into a year-round effort in two communities.”
After School Matters is a nonprofit organization that offers Chicago high school teens innovative out-of-school activities through science, sports, tech, words and the nationally recognized gallery programs.
Through its programs, Ensemble Español provides students the opportunity to learn the history, culture and professional theatrical art form of Spanish dance in the classical, folkloric and Flamenco styles. The company’s professional dancers and educators support student growth and development by providing them the opportunities to explore and develop their talents while learning critical skills for work, college and beyond.
Over the summer, Ensemble Español has been working with the Roosevelt, Steinmetz and Northeastern communities through After School Matters.
One of the groups has been invited to perform in the Chicago Teen Dance Festival portion of the Chicago Dancing Festival on Saturday, Aug. 29, at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.
