BWW Exclusive: Blue Lapis Light's REMAKE HOME Brings Dance to Teens

Last night, Blue Lapis Light, Austin's renowned aerial Dance Company, opened Remake Home. The two night event, which closes this evening, is produced by Blue Lapis Light's youth outreach program, Youth Taking Flight. Youth Taking Flight focuses on teenagers and uses movement to instill confidence and open students to new paths of listening and learning.

The teens involved in Remake Home are also involved with many other Austin-based social service organizations such as LifeWorks, a nonprofit which helps youth and young adults who have endured unimaginable circumstances. Through a thirteen week workshop process, the students learn movement and dance as well as the intricacies of areal dance, an artform most of the students have never been exposed to. Says Lauren Peterson, Managing Director of Blue Lapis Light, "We have a few students that have been through the workshop before, but many of them are brand new to us and have never done something like this before."

The students involved in Youth Taking Flight don't just learn through the workshop. They are tasked with creating a performance piece by the end of the process. "The instructors teach the students the steps," Says Peterson, "But it's up to the students to create the choreography and pick their music."

I had a chance to see Remake Home last night, and given the short amount of time that the students have to learn a new artform, it's shocking how skilled they are. Aerial dance isn't easy, and given the danger involved in performing 20 feet above the ground without a net or safety harness, it's surprising the students don't seem more intimidated. Their courage in both performing in front of an audience and performing aerial stunts is a testament to their spirit. These young men and women are beyond inspiring.

REMAKE HOME, produced by Blue Lapis Light's Youth Taking Flight program, plays the Boyd Vance Theatre in the Carver Museum at 1165 Angelina St, Austin 78702. The final performance of Remake Home is tonight, Wednesday December 4th at 7pm. Tickets are $10 per person through the Blue Lapis Light website or by check or credit card at the door.

For more information about Youth Taking Flight and future Blue Lapis Light performances, please visit www.bluelapislight.org