CCP Professional Dance Support Programme
Official guidelines to safeguard public health from the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic have greatly affected the dance programmes of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Resident Companies, other organised dance companies, as well as individual performers. In particular, social distancing has caused the cancellation of live performances and the consequent possibility of the devastation of classical dance in the Philippines.
In response, the CCP launched a special programme called the CCP Professional Dance Support Programme (PDSP). It provides a series of dance training programmes, masterclasses, and performance opportunities to displaced professional dancers, choreographers, as well as dance artists from the regions who are affected due to the social and economic impact of quarantine measures and the COVID 19 crisis. The program started in January 2021 and is now extended from 1 July to December 2021.
The CCP PDSP Dancers during one of their training sessions. Photo by Kiko Cabuena
The CCP PDSP Dancers during one of their online training sessions
The programme has been designed to arrest the probable deterioration of skills, techniques and general performance excellence of dancers that can only be attained and maintained through constant practice and actual performances. It also aims to maintain the number of talented professional dancers by providing them with continued artistic employment and discourage their shift to other occupations due to reduced or absence of opportunities in dance. This programme also helps alleviate personal hardships of artists who have embarked on a career in dance through the availability of continued income sources in the dance profession.
Chosen and qualified displaced dancers were given scholarships. They are entitled to receive free training, benefits (with monthly stipends), and the opportunity to work with the country’s dance experts including the programme’s Artistic Consultant, National Artist Alice Reyes.
At present, the CCP PDSP Dancers are working with dance masters, guest artists and teachers, and choreographers in the study and restaging of repertoire composed of Classical and Neoclassical, Modern, and New Works. The programme includes modules on training and a culminating performance, focusing on advanced contemporary dance and classical ballet.
Despite the fact that the structure and platform (onsite and/or online) of the sessions are constantly shifting due to the changing quarantine measures in Metro Manila, with the dancers having to dance in their small spaces at home, the programme is helping the dancers and teachers stay alert and focused on the art form. The classes keep them in shape so they can perform well.
The CCP PDSP has brought together these dancers from various dance companies and affiliations and is giving them an opportunity to dance again and collaborate with other dancers and artists. The CCP PDSP is becoming a space for these dancers to experiment with new works, choreographies, techniques, and even new bodies to work with, in addition to maintaining and improving their skills. The programme challenges the dancers to push the limits of their creativity to discover ways on how they can continuously improve and express their thoughts and ideas despite the challenges of the pandemic.
The CCP PDSP dancers, choreographers, and everyone else involved in this programme are waiting with great anticipation to return to the stage to show the audience the results of their hard work and preparation.