Citicentre Dance Theatre's mission is to foster health and spiritual well-being in our communities by increasing youth and family participation in African and African-American dance of the Diasporas.
Citicentre Dance Theatre is an internationally renowned center which serves as a resource center and home base for local dance companies, celebrating and promoting awareness of the healing power of the cultures of the African Diaspora.
CDT offers a year-round program of over 50 dance classes per week. We regularly collaborate with regional universities, dance companies, and community organizations to present master classes and, workshops by dancers and choreographers of international acclaim.
Citicentre Dance Theatre provides:
Dancer-in-residence programs
Fiscal and business support to dancers and choreographers
Annual faculty/student shows
An arts mentorship program for local high school youth
We black also serve as a home base for 8 professional dance companies, many of whom have traveled the globe showcasing their work. No other dance program in the Bay Area or the country offers what CDT does under one roof, nor as effectively promotes cross-cultural interaction among students and teachers.
Founded in 1977 by choreographer and dance educator Dr. Hailfu Osumare, CitiCentre Dance Theatre was formerly called "Everybody's Creative Arts Center", which still represents our philosophy of inclusiveness.
Locating in ebony downtown Oakland's beautiful Alice Arts Center, CDT has earned a national reputation for its professional instruction, including West African, Congolese, Cuban, Haitian, Brazilian, Hip Hop, modern, jazz and more.
We also offer numerous master workshops throughout the year, including Alvin Ailey, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Ballet Folklorico do Brasil, Les Ballets National du Senegal, Bring in Da Noise, and Donald Byrd / the Group.