Symposium for the People is a free dance pedagogy program of Bashi Arts, specifically aimed at providing affordable, accessible, equity-driven dance training for pre-professional and professional dance artists in New York City. We are excited to offer four workshops on August 15th, 2026 at the Mark O'Donnell Theater (160 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11201), a fully ADA-accessible and gender-neutral space. In addition to joining us in person, we are also excited to offer limited hybrid options via Zoom for all four workshops! This special Symposium is part of BASHI BLOCK, a two-day event celebrating the official launch of Bashi Arts, Inc. as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

 

Click here to RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPhIG96Iu2WhfmDJmz97-EL3doFNxegVqjxxyI0Ae78jbrKg/viewform

 

All workshops are open-level and designed for dancers with some to extensive movement experience. Participants must be at least 13 years of age by August 15, 2026.

 

Each workshop invites participants to engage with the material in ways that best support their bodies, interests, and experiences. Instructors will offer a variety of movement options, variations, and adaptations throughout each workshop to support multiple ways of participating.

 

All Bashi Arts Symposium teaching artists are trained in basic, foundational access practices. An Access & Experience Guide will be available in the lobby before and throughout the Symposium to answer more extensive questions, provide support, and assist with access needs as they arise.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE:
12:00 to 1:00 PM EST: Postmodern Realness: Multi-sensory Improvisation with Rachel DeForrest Repinz 
1:15 to 2:15 PM EST: Pilates for Every Body with Cate Christiansen and Dalia Engelberg
2:30 to 3:30 PM EST: Bashi Bounce: Hip-Hop Meets Caribbean Dance in Brooklyn with Makayla Peterson and Rachele Domond
3:45 to 4:45 PM EST: Ebonic Bodies in Motion: Afro-Contemporary with Dr. Enya-Kalia Jordan

 

Throughout the Symposium, we are pleased to offer the following access offerings and community resources:

Open-Door Policy: Bashi Arts embraces an open-door policy, and participants are welcome to enter and exit the theater space throughout the Symposium as needed -- no questions asked.
COVID-19 Supplies: A limited number of KN95 masks and COVID-19 self-tests are available at the check-in table in the lobby. We encourage you to take any supplies you may need. While masking is not required, it is encouraged. 
Sensory Supports: Fidget and sensory toys are available at the check-in table in the lobby for use throughout the Symposium. If you borrow an item, we kindly ask that you return it to the check-in table before you leave.
ASL Interpretation: American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation is available upon advance request. If you would like to request ASL interpretation for a Symposium workshop, please email info@bashiarts.org with the subject line "ASL Interpretation – Symposium."  We kindly ask that any requests for ASL interpretation be made via email no later than Sunday, August 2nd, 2026.
Free Dance Book Giveaway: Browse and take home books from our community dance and dance education book giveaway! Dozens of titles will be available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.
Food and Water: We believe that nourished dancers are healthy dancers. A limited number of bottled waters and individually packaged snacks will be available throughout the Symposium. To help keep our spaces as allergy-friendly as possible, we kindly ask that all food be consumed outside the Mark O'Donnell Theater facilities. Water is the only beverage permitted inside the theater.

 

ABOUT BASHI ARTS: Bashi Arts is a Black and Disabled woman-led 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to advancing experimental approaches to contemporary dance choreography, research, and pedagogy through practices grounded in Disability Justice, Black feminist pedagogies, Africanist aesthetics, and affordability. With roots in the southern-most neighborhoods of Brooklyn, Bashi Arts is dedicated to uplifting Brooklyn as a global center for contemporary dance, multidisciplinary arts, and culture.