THROWBACK THURSDAY #TBT

SPECIAL EDITION, 3:45 PM TODAY!
(Catch this feature every week at 2:00 pm EST)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEANDRE WARD.

Daedream performer, dancer, creator and now director, 

2007 to ?

Always making someone laugh or smile

Yes, that's De on the right (with Kevin)

Deandre is in the front at start of video, at right, one of the three freestylers, 

and yes, that's Torey in the middle, also former member, Carlos Gonzales, from 2010.

Deandre, in Future Dance, 2012

with Evelyn getting ready for Maine trip, 2016 Summer

with Kevin and former mentor, Tyrese

with the team, former mentor Luis, current director Kevin, Administrative Assistant Evelyn,
current director Torey, director De in his Puff look, and Student Safety Director Marlon.

Deandre, cold interpretation, Surprise Dance, 2017

In The Spotlight: Torey Robinson - The first program alumn to take Daedream fully into college

Recently promoted to Co-director of Daedream, Torey Robinson is more than just a "kid that can dance."  With the theater program now going into its 28th season, Torey has been part of it in both times of upswing and lag.  Currently, he made the decision to continue to be part of this growing and popular after-school theater company as he also continues his college life, while working as a paraprofessional at Mauro-Sheridan.

Q:  How do you manage your other job, school and Daedream?


"To me, the point is I have work, dance and my education.  The way that I manage all this is thinking about the hours or time spent in each place.  I know it's hard, because the hours I'd like to dedicate to one thing, I may not be able to get.  When I'm dancing, it's not working to me, even if I'm paid.   It's doing something that I love and working on my craft. When I am at work, I'm not working for myself really, aside from making money. I'm learning basic skills, but it's not what I want to do for the rest of my life.  With School, I need my education to better myself and to become what I really want to be.  Now, realizing that I have only so many hours in the day, and so many days in a week,and so many weeks in a year, I've come to see how to prioritize and make the best use of my time.  I love dancing more than school and work, but sometimes, dancing is not what I do most in my day.  With that being said, I have to make that the best of the time I have when I can.  My passion is dancing, and I know my own goals down the road will include dance because it's something I've always loved to do.  My  hours of dance are worth it, because I feel it's beneficial to me, whereas the job sometimes just seems like a bit of money, but not something I love.  This makes the whole thing difficult because it doesn't lead to perfecting your craft, but it has to happen.  You have to put yourself into what you are doing to advance yourself, whatever that takes."

Q:  What impact has Daedream had on your life choices and career path?  Watch the video below to see Torey's response.

Q:  Since you're the first mentor who included Daedream in your daily life post-high school, what would you say to the now-graduating high school seniors this year?

I'd say, remember everything you learned and that motivated you - the things that got you through tough times and how you were helped.  Think back on how you handled situations with the support of people you had around you.  You're going on to the next step in life, and what you do is solely upon you.  No one can tell you where you are or where to be.  For me, I love working with kids and I love the surroundings that Daedream brings me.  Being that I fell in love with teaching and love doing what I do ever since 8th grade, why not continue after high school to be part of a program that brought me up, so I can bring others up.  I feel not many people have the right guidance or the best life, and because of that, it makes it that much more enjoyable knowing that we can make their lives better, by the energy we bring to the table and how much they like being around us.  Being a role model you have that responsibility that you take on, by choice, knowing that you can mean more to people than you think.  

My direction and guidance came from Ms. Francis, and then I could reach others.  There's a line, you know, of being at the right place at the right time as far as how things fall into place.  When I started, there was really only me choreographing.  That year, Ms. Francis and I were the choreographers, because she had just started a new version of the program when the school merged.  Now, I have Kevin, Deandre, Des'Tahnee, Aissatou and others helping me and of course Ms Francis, to achieve our goals with the program.  And who knows where we we can go, and who they'll bring with them as they role model for others.  The whole thing just shows growth.

Q:  What is your goal for the kids in the program?

Torey is currently a sophomore at Gateway Community College, who will graduate this Spring.  He will be attending SCSU in the Fall with a major in Math Education.

Thank you!

Thanks to all who have provided help and support this year!

Ms. Francis, Director

Perceptions: What Daedream Means To Me

When I first joined Daedream, I wasn't sure if I would be able to do it.  I didn't think I would be able to dance, act or be on stage.  Ever since I was a kid, I have had trouble doing anything on a stage.  Daedream changed that.

Ever since the first rehearsal, I knew that I would be able to do it.  It just seemed like it was a great program from the start.  Even though I was a little behind, the mentors stayed after rehearsal to help me with my steps.  When Ms.Francis first told me she wanted me to be in the front row of a dance, I knew I was in the right place.  The day I was promoted to Junior Mentor, shocked me, but at the same time made me reflect.  I had only been in the program for about a month and a half, but it felt like years.

Daedream has given me the confidence to do things I thought I never would have done before.  I acted, danced, and played my saxophone in front of almost 600 people!  It felt amazing.  Ms.Francis is a wonderful teacher and director and without her, this program would be nothing.  With her encouragement, I feel I can do anything.

Thank you, Ms.Francis
                                                                                                           
William O.

William is a mentor in the Daedream Theater Arts Program and a Staff Reporter for the Daedream Theater Arts Blog