PATC- building community

In 1967, the Performing Arts Training Center (PATC) emerged as one of the most robust, multidisciplinary programs of the Black Arts Movement. Designed by dance anthropologist, Miss Katherine Dunham, this program became a catalyst for racial equity and urban revitalization through the use of the arts in the city of East Saint Louis, IL (ESTL). Her mission was to reshape the thinking of urban youth while exposing the ESTL community to the communal power of culture from the African Diaspora. Students were immersed in foreign language, dance, art, as well college prep courses of which could be transferred locally to Southern Illinois University. PATC was instrumental in birthing a generations of instructors, artistic directors, dancers and other creatives of whom I decided to label the legacy keepers. Today, the legacy keepers are intergenerational and stand as a living legacy of Dunham’s works. I felt important to speak with the PATC source community about their experiences with Dunham and the influence this cultural program had on their lives.

I briefly interviewed PATC member, certified Dunham Technique instructor and creative director Keith Tyrone Williams. Mr. Williams discussed the importance of spending time with Dunham Dance Company elders: Mor Thiam, Archie Savage and Tommy Gomez. Communal in nature, PATC for him was the opportunity to develop life long skills such as sewing costumes, cooking and being pushed to expand his career in New York. It was the interaction with principal dancers and directors that have influenced his creative practice today. In addition, I also spoke with professor Laurie Goux, who is an extension of the Dunham legacy through her mentor Tommy Gomez. Gomez served as Dunham’s artistic director for much of Dunham’s early career. She shared the same sentiments of Dunham’s goal in exploring, expanding and cultivating peoples thoughts and daily life through the arts. Goux develop a dance company with Gomez, assisted in the first fundraiser for Dunham when she became ill in 2006. She cared for Gomez until his passing. Goux described Dunham as having no bounds; limitless.

The Value of the Experience