Pierre Dulaine Takes the Lead

The Ballroom dancing film ‘Mad Hot Ballroom’, as featured in the last issue of DANCE, is now on general release in cinemas around the UK. No sooner had this film been released in the UK than news of another dance film called ‘Take The Lead’ reached us.

Those of you that have already had the opportunity to see Mad Hot Ballroom will be familiar with the program undertaken by these children, called the ‘American Ballroom Theater’s (ABrT) Dancing Classrooms’. A non-profit organisation which provides instruction in Ballroom dance in over sixty public schools in New York, its founder Pierre Dulaine is himself soon to be immortalised by Hollywood in the film ‘Take the Lead’

This upcoming film stars Hollywood star Antonio Banderas as Pierre, volunteering to teach dance in the New York school system. While his professional ballroom background initially clashes with his students' hip hop tastes, together they create a completely new style of dance. Due for release in 2006, this is a not to be missed chance to see the story of one man’s mission to bring the physical and social benefits of dance within the reach of those that wouldn’t normally have such an opportunity.Despite an extremely busy schedule due to his involvement in both ‘Mad Hot Ballroom’ and ‘Take the Lead’, Pierre found time to talk to us about the film, his personal achievements and his hopes for the future of dance in schools.

Pierre, tell us about how you first became interested in dancing yourself…
Having spent 13 years in the Middle East, I arrived in England as a very shy child with a heavy accent, settling in the Midlands, after living in Windsor for about 9 months. Several children in my school class went to a dancing school that happened to be on a main road near my house. I decided this would be fun to try but soon learned it would take a lot of work to catch up to the other students so private lessons were necessary. To pay for my weekly half-hour lesson I did a morning paper-round and washed cars on weekends. Eventually I passed my Bronze test and joined the other students in the Silver class. One Sunday afternoon I attended a dance competition as a spectator at the local Garry Owen Ballroom Unfortunately without my father’s consent since Sundays were reserved only for religious things. But that afternoon something stirred inside me... I knew I wanted to become a champion.

Dance changed my whole life! With a lot of enjoyable hard work it gave me everything I dreamed of. From being very shy I became confident; my accent no longer mattered to me; I learned to stand up straight and shake hands with a positive attitude that received attention. I became the champion of my dreams

How did the idea for the ‘Dancing Classrooms’ program come about?
At 14 years old my school friends took me to the Jean Johnson School of Dancing in Birmingham. I used to be shy awkward and timid, dancing brought 'something out of me'. I soon felt more confident and my accent no longer bothered me...in short I wanted to give the New York City public school children something to enjoy and teach them ‘civility’ and transferable skills that would prove useful to them in their adult lives.

What benefits does being taught dance bring to the children within these schools?
This outlet for expression, musically and emotionally, connects their positive feelings for one another, focuses their physical energy and builds their self-esteem and social skills. They learn the value of team work, to respect each other and to treat each other as ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’.

Antonio Banderas plays you in the film, do you feel that his character realistically represents your aims and determination to bring the benefits of dance into schools?
I have not yet seen the movie, but I know from the script that it will do a lot of good both for the world of ballroom dancing as well as to the young adults in general. 'Take the Lead' is set with High School students who are 17/18 year old teenagers, where Mad Hot Ballroom is with the ten year old Elementary children.

What are your hopes for the program as its reputation expands overseas?
My plans are to take this Outreach Program to as many cities and countries as far and as wide as possible. ‘Dancing Classrooms’ is a unique Arts in Education Curriculum Based Program and is very hard to beat.

Many thanks Pierre and we are sure the film will be a huge success! To find out more, visit the film’s website at www.theleadmovie.com

Interview by Victoria Blackburn

Above left: Pierre Dulaine; above right: pupils from Pierre's programme competing at the World Financial Centre's Winter Garden