People supported through Brooklyn Employment & Business Services and Day Services programs had the opportunity to showcase their talents in a unique environment on Monday, April 3. The Dr. S. Stevan Dweck Cultural Center at the Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library played host to a variety of performances from community partners, AHRC NYC’s Our Broadway, and Ervine Haskins of Stefanie Nelson Dancegroup. The Central Library is located right across from Brooklyn’s iconic Grand Army Plaza at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Eastern Parkway.
Michael Del Broccolo, Curriculum Developer, said he reached out to Christine Schonhart, Director of Central Library, to coordinate the event. Christine has previously worked closely with Brooklyn EBS’s programs funded by the city’s Department of Youth and Community Development.
“I think the most valuable benefits from performance for the people we support result from what happens before and after the event as opposed to the actual event itself,” Michael explained. “Each group of performers was able to spend a few weeks preparing their acts for the performance, which I hope gave them a good sense of the work that goes on behind the scenes and in anticipation of a live production.”
Sharing Joy in All Its Forms
Shihan Ras of Brooklyn Martial Arts began the day with his students demonstrating physical skills, breathing techniques, and the mental clarity of regular practice.
“My joy right now is sharing what I’ve learned over my career with these brilliant young people,” Ras said.
CO/LAB Theater Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing Creative Opportunities without Limits And Boundaries, followed with improvisational performances. Zahra Budhwani, Teaching Artist, explained the three cardinal rules of improv while showcasing some of the fun games that make up their live shows:
- Your first idea is your best idea—go with your gut!
- Share the air—communicate with your peers and work together to create a great performance
- Yes and—affirming each other’s ideas and suggesting ways to improve
“Both of these community partners are really gifted at meeting the people we support where they’re at, which I think makes for some excellent community-based programming that aligns really well with what we’re trying to accomplish here at AHRC,” Michael said.
AHRC NYC’s Our Broadway, founded by Broadway professional Dale Hensley, live-streamed their performance on YouTube as part of its weekly Ten Minutes of Joy. The theater troupe performed longtime favorites and selections from their upcoming show, “Aladdin,” at the Jerry Orbach Theatre. Finally, Ervine Haskins, a dancer, and choreographer with Stefanie Nelson Dancegroup who has long been supported at Brooklyn EBS, invited his colleagues and friends to join him on stage and let loose through dance.
“After the show, I was able to speak with many of the performers about how they felt their performances went, and many of them shared some very constructive feedback,” Michael added. “This led to a bunch of really meaningful conversations about what they felt did and didn’t work, which I think is a really valuable part of the growth process for a live performer.”
