By Barry Wise Smith
For Diane Litsey, longtime Executive Director of The Dance Foundation (TDF), her interest in the arts started at an early age. “When I was a child, anything creative was magic,” Litsey says. After dabbling in music, theater and dance, Litsey decided she was more comfortable making things happen for artists rather than doing the art herself. After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Arts Management from Eastern Michigan University, Litsey built an impressive resumé of jobs in the arts sector producing a 10-day music festival in Michigan and the Taste of Los Angeles and working at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, among others. But when Litsey arrived in Birmingham in the early 1990s for her husband’s new teaching position at Birmingham-Southern College, she wanted to focus “on fostering arts education.” She began looking for jobs in the Birmingham area, and at the time, The Dance Foundation (then the Children’s Dance Foundation) was looking for their first full-time executive director. Litsey fit the bill, and 34 years later (she started in 1991), she’s still leading the organization that is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. Later, Litsey added a master’s degree in Public/Private Management from BSC.
The First Steps
The Dance Foundation got its start in 1975 when founder Jennie Robertson and friends Mary Conyers Cooper and Virginia Samford Donovon started teaching dance classes in Robertson’s attic and eventually the driveway of her home. Robertson’s mission was to provide dance education and inspiration to students of all ages and abilities, fostering an inclusive and joyful environment through programs and community partnerships. After several locations around Birmingham, The Dance Foundation moved into their current location in downtown Homewood in 2003. Several renovations over the years have expanded the size and space to accommodate the thousands of students who come to the Foundation to foster a love of dance and creativity. While The Children’s Dance Foundation became The Dance Foundation in 2015 during a rebranding process (adult classes and other offerings had long been a part of the Foundation’s work), “Children are always the heart and soul of what we do,” Litsey says. Daily, there are dozens of classes happening for dancers of all ages both inside the Foundation’s walls and outside at more than 20 community partner locations like The Bell Center, Mitchell’s Place, and numerous preschools and elementary schools. “We believe dance is for everybody,” Litsey says. “Dance is a foundation to life and learning. We want to build creativity, confidence, collaboration, critical thinking skills, innovation…all the things that help whether you’re starting kindergarten, high school, or entering the workforce.” And while dance is the heart of TDF, there have been other arts programs—piano recitals, theater performances (both Homewood Theatre and Terrific New Theatre have staged performances at TDF), cabaret shows, master classes, workshops, and more—take place in the space. “We want to serve as that creative community hub,” Litsey says. “We love to share, and we love to see our studios full.”
50 Years and Many More
For the 50th anniversary, TDF has kept the party going throughout the year. In February, the anniversary events kicked off with a party at Dread River Distilling Co. with food, beverages, performances, and fun. Then in May at the Alabama Theatre, dancers, instructors, and special guests were invited to Golden, Celebrating 50 Years of The Dance Foundation. The free event featured performances by dancers from third through twelfth grades. And in August, TDF guests gathered at The Edge in Homewood and danced through the decades with 50 Years of Gold. Guests enjoyed 50 dances for 50 years with the Hustle, the Hand Jive, the Electric Slide, and many more. Litsey also collected 50 Stories for 50 Years where former staff and instructors, students, parents, partners could send their memories of The Dance Foundation.
The Future
Looking ahead, Litsey wants to keep offering the magic of dance to as many people as possible. Renovations were made in August to widen hallways, remove carpet, and improve traffic flow. A capital campaign is coming so that the studio space can be expanded to accommodate even more students. “We want to take a thoughtful approach forward that will set us up for the next 50 years,” Litsey says. She and her faithful staff of 33 dance instructors, musicians, and “small but mighty leadership team” will continue to share the love of dance in and out of the TDF facility. “This is an extraordinary place,” Litsey says. “It’s something everyone should have the chance to experience.”
To register for classes, for more information, or to donate, please visit thedancefoundation.org.
