LETTERS: DANCE TROUPE BROADENS HORIZONS

To the editor:

Although it is nearly 10 oclock at night and all three children are in bed (at least for the time being), I find myself compelled to sit down at the computer and write this column. Thats saying a lot as I have not had one moment to myself since around 6:30 this morning, and I anticipate that within about two hours from now I'll have at least one of the children standing next to my bed wanting to climb in with mommy and daddy.

This is valuable time to me, but what I have to tell is even more valuable.

Less than an hour ago I was sitting in the audience at Academic Hall on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University experiencing a remarkable exposure to cultural arts in this region. It was the dance presentation of the Katherine Dunham Museum Children's Workshop Company. The moment the first percussionist struck his drum and created a rhythm so contagious that everyone in the audience was instantly rocking to the beat, I knew that my children and I were in for a royal treat.

Throughout the evening, as I watched my 2 1/2-year-old twins jumping up and down, clapping their hands and boogying to the beat, and my 5-year-old chanting an African song taught to us by the lead percussionist, I was struck with the overall impact this two-week residency must have had on those people most involved with this partnership. It had to have been very meaningful for them, because it was meaningful for those of us who were only minimally involved. (In addition to attending the Thursday night performance, my girls, along with many of their friends, participated in two of the dance workshops.)And these workshops were just the tip of the iceberg. Over the past two weeks these artists spent countless hours in this community and at Kennett doing not only workshops and performances, but also giving lectures and instruction in the Dunham technique from elementary schools to the Civic Center. And what is equally as impressive is that this troupe comprises children ranging from 10 years of age to 18. These are kids from East St. Louis who, instead of wasting their lives, spend over two hours after school each day and over six hours on Saturday to be a part of the team.

We need more of this in our society today. Fortunately there still are people who are willing to invest their lives enriching the lives of others. We need more people like Ruby Streate, Dr. Strauss and Gerald Williams who provided the main leadership to this residency. Your efforts are appreciated. And thanks also to the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education for the grant. Not only were my children's horizons broadened, but mine were as well. We were changed for the better.

For those of you who were not able to take advantage of this particular opportunity, I encourage you to seek out other such cultural offerings in the future. I have usually found time invested in the arts to be time well spent. The return on investment is immeasurable.

HOLLY RUST PAYNE

Cape Girardeau