PBCC’s Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center (DHCAC) is truly a theatre for the community! Now celebrating its 28th Season, the DHCAC was PBCC’s first performing arts center; the only campus without a theatre department, is a beautiful example of PBCC’s commitment to the arts in the Glades communities.

Outreach and partnerships have been important components of the programming at the DHCAC since it opened in 1982. In 1983, the Center opened its doors to the students of the Glades communities with the Theatre for Schools program. Now called the CAFE series (Cultural Arts for Education), this program usually serves over 18,500 students per year and is offered at almost no cost to the students.

In 1995, the DHCAC held its first week-long residency program with the Missoula Children’s Theatre. Local children audition for approximately 50 roles and in just five days, they present a fully-choreographed musical production! In April 2010, the Missoula Children’s Theatre returns for their sixteenth year! Other week-long residencies have included Ballet Folklorico “Quetzalli” de Veracruz, the Caribbean Dance Company of the Virgin Islands, Japanese storyteller Kuniko Yamamoto, and the Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre of New Zealand.

The 2007-2008 season saw the return of Step Afrika! to our theater for more workshops and performances. In the spring of 2007, the DHCAC partnered with Prime Time of Palm Beach County and the Palm Beach County Cultural Council to bring Brian Williams and his Step Afrika! group to the Glades for several week-long workshops with eight local step teams. Stepping is not only physically challenging, but also used as an educational and motivational tool for young people. With the help of two Step Afrika! members, each group created their own signature step as well as learning new step routines. Together, they performed at the Afro-American Arts Festival. There was also the opportunity for local steppers to perform at the Saturday, March 17 Step Afrika! show at the DHCAC.

In addition to the Center’s annual professional series, the DHCAC has been able to offer a number of special programs through partnerships with organizations like the Norton Museum of Art, The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, the Florida Philharmonic, Palm Beach Opera, Very Special Arts, the Argentinean Arts Organization, the Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors and the New Gardens Band, to name a few. Over the years, numerous local community businesses, organizations, schools and non-profits have partnered with the DHCAC for performances, pageants, recitals, meetings, and other activities, truly making it a center for the community!

For additional information about the Center’s outreach and partnership, contact Leigh Woodham at 561-993-1160 or at woodhamL@pbcc.edu.