The Educational Edge of Community Engagement

A Rich History

Community Engagement, formed in 2006 under the direction of former Joffrey Company Artist Pierre Lockett, was established to support formal dance training for students in Chicago Public Schools and expand their knowledge of the art form while supplementing their education.  

Community Engagement began small, but as Chicago Public Schools' arts programs were cut, the Joffrey leaned in and expanded their reach. Lockett, alongside Teaching Artists Willy Shives and Linda Swayze, taught 25-30 hours a week, five days a week, with the remaining hours of their administrative duties. Programming was well received, and today, Community Engagement has grown to include seven full-time employees and ten independent contractors, allowing the organization to offer programs in 37 schools.  

Mentor Movements  

When reflecting on her experience with Community Engagement, Swayze says, "There have been great mentors to help develop my position—like previous Community Engagement directors Pierre Lockett and Erica Lynette Edwards. I saw their commitment to mission and community and learned what building relationships with parents, students, administrators, and partners are like. Their work gave me the tools to grow and sustain our programs."  

Moving On Up  

Today, the Joffrey is known for its rich legacy of bringing quality arts education across Chicago through a breadth of programming, with classes offering students of all ages, statuses, or abilities the opportunity to experience the joy of dance.  

The youngest students, grades K-2, participate in the Bridge Program, comprised of four phases:  

Phase I is an introduction to ballet in a school. In Phase II, which takes place during the second half of the school year, students develop classical ballet techniques, increase ballet vocabulary, and improve body placement in free weekly classes. Select students are invited to attend Phase III, a free two-week summer intensive focused on continued training. When select students reach Phase IV, they receive a full scholarship to the Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet that extends through their high school graduation.  

Continued Growth  

The Exelon Strobel program, designed for students in grades 9-12, is a rigorous program that enhances technique and performance quality. Students serve as ambassadors of Joffrey Community Engagement, with frequent opportunities to perform their repertoire throughout the city. Students receive mentorship opportunities for academic success, with a 100% graduation rate.  

Previous Strobel students have gone on to choreograph new works through Community Engagement's partnership with After School Matters. They've performed at the Chicago Bulls halftime show, the Obama Foundation Summit in 2019, the inaugural JoffreyNext at the Lyric Opera House, and the Joffrey for All free performance in Millennium Park in 2023 and 2024. Students have also received post-graduation opportunities with companies such as Alvin Ailey and The Lion King. 

Stretch Into Alignment — What's Next for Community Engagement?  

The remarkable success of Joffrey's Community Engagement programs is a testament to Swayze and her predecessors' commitment to providing accessible dance education to the Chicago community.  

Swayze envisions advancing the program to new heights as it evolves further. Plans include: 

• Developing family-friendly matinees beyond The Nutcracker to offer partnering schools, creating opportunities for students to experience additional ballet works and interact with Company Artists.  

• Creating clear pathways for Community Engagement Extensions program students to access classes within the Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet. 

• Building workshops for Teaching Artists to expand their classroom management skills.  

• Expanding the Adopt-A-School initiative.  

• Creating college-readiness workshops for students interested in pursuing a dance career.