Yaa Samar! Dance Theatre blends contemporary dance and theater with traditional Dabke tools such as rhythm and footwork to invite improvisation and play within the traditional form. Dabke is a Levantine folkloric dance traditionally used in cultural moments of celebration and resistance. The practice of Dabke is inherently intertwined with social justice movements, and conversations around the use of dance and art in social justice movements will also be incorporated into the masterclass.

Yaa Samar! Dance Theatre (YSDT)

creates invigorating performance and education programs that expand access to- and promote understanding through- the arts. A female/minority led organization, YSDT believes art should be liberating, transformative, and accessible to all. The company operates out of the United States and Palestine and is committed to uniting diverse artists and audiences in the creative process. Since 2005, the non-profit has produced more than 30 original works that have been seen in 10 countries across four continents. For more information, visit: www.ysdt.org.