Since 2006, Houston Ballet’s Education and Community Engagement (ECE) has given away hundreds of dance costumes, shoes and other varieties of dance accessories to Houston-area schools free of charge in our community sponsored event called Graceful Givings. Keep reading to learn more from Associate Director Lauren Anderson and the team responsible for this incredible event.
LAUREN: When I first joined the Education and Community Engagement department here, it wasn’t all these programs we have now, only about three or four. As the programming expanded, we noticed that a lot of kids didn’t have dance clothes, and the ones who were wearing dance clothes felt like they had more pride. They had a different feeling. So, we had the idea to see if any dance stores had extra inventory they’d want to donate, and we could do a giveaway!
The very first Graceful Givings giveaway was held in this small, closet-like room at the old studio (before Houston Ballet moved into its current home at the Margaret Alkek Williams Center for Dance). The whole thing lasted about three minutes. A couple of us set up two racks of clothes and some stuff folded up on a table. All the teachers went in at once, grabbed something, and left. There were just a couple feathers and sequins left on the floor and that was it.
Since then, Graceful Givings has evolved into a much larger event. And what we do today is amazing! Our team has also evolved over the years to include the Houston Ballet Guild and other volunteers. We have racks, tables, and the entire stage area of the Dance Lab covered in costumes, warm-ups, shoes, and other dance accessories. We use a timer to allow everyone an equal chance at getting the stuff they want. Now it’s a well-oiled machine.
During the pandemic, they had to switch gears a bit and take Graceful Givings virtual. ECE Coordinator Alex Garza spearheaded that effort.
ALEX: Items had been donated prior to the lockdown, so we wanted to find a way to still get them to the schools. We took pictures of every single item, labeled them, and made an Excel document. We basically played the same game virtually. We’d spin a wheel with all the schools’ names and a teacher would tell me, “I want A through C on the spreadsheet,” and that’s what they would get. They then picked up their items in socially-distant drive-through event.
The second year of the pandemic we didn’t host a Graceful Givings because the boutiques didn’t have any items at that point. We’re very grateful that things are getting back to normal, and this engaging event can take place in-person again.
More than just a one-day giveaway, the impact of Graceful Givings can be seen and felt long after the event. ECE Coordinator Jamie Cegelski fondly describes one of her favorite memories from this past year.
JAMIE: One of the coolest things is getting pictures back afterwards and seeing the kids who benefitted from the event at a performance or striking a pose in their costumes. We got one from a group of highschoolers who staged a photoshoot in front of their school in their new attire. It was clear that it was student directed because they’re all in different, artsy poses, but they looked so proud. They were living!
LAUREN: There are some teachers we have that have been coming for a decade. Now, besides just giving away dance clothes, it’s an engagement of the teachers creating a community within. The teachers meet and start sharing things between themselves. They say, “Hey, I have a bunch of tap shoes! If you ever want to borrow them, call me up!” and trade contact information.
And it’s happening right here in the Houston Ballet, the largest dance organization in Houston! Why would we not want to facilitate that and help create that community. I think it’s something that many of the teachers look forward to. I’m surprised we don’t have tailgating. Well, we can’t because we’ve got classes going on, but if they could, they would!
If you are interested in attending next year’s Graceful Givings please keep an eye on our website as the date is to be confirmed. For more information on how to donate, please contact Alex Garza at AGarza@houstonballet.org.
By Emily Averitt-Cleveland
En Pointe with Houston Ballet 