Reality Check Dance Troupe and Youth Outreach Organization
Keeping the art of dance alive...providing an artistic outlet for inner city, at-risk youth, ages 12-17, while exposing society to the positive aspect of the Hip-Hop community.
Reality Check is a professional, performance dance troupe, created to provide an artistic outlet for the inner city youth of Pierce County, while exposing society to the positive aspect of the Hip-Hop community. Reality Check was formed in 2002 with 9 young ladies from Jason Lee and Stewart middle schools. Within one year, Reality Check grew to include youth from areas outside Pierce County, who share the passion for dance and community involvement. Reality Check is founded on strong principals and the belief that the Arts are a major influence in the lives of young people. Candi Hall, Founder and Director of Reality Check is living proof of such. Candi came to Tacoma from Atlanta, GA, where she danced professionally with the international Hip-Hop dance organization, Culture Shock. Always being taught that the main way one shows appreciation for all the gifts, opportunities, and blessing given is to share them with others, Candi was led to form Reality Check. Reality Check is a vision of a gift, opportunity, and blessing for a number of inner city youth.
Reality Check has become a community entertainment staple as since spawn two other dance troupes, Reality Check Juniors (RCJ, ages 7-11) and Zero Gravity (the grown-up version). All groups hold to the same mission and requirements.
The Troupe
- Dancers are youth ages 8 and up.
- Dancers are required to maintain at least a 2.7 GPA.
- Dancers are required to exercise everyday.
- Dancers are required to take dance classes every week.
- Dancers are required to participate in all fund-raising and community activities and events.
- The troupe volunteers at a community event, center, or assisted living facility quarterly.
- The troupe hosts dance workshops open to youth in the community.
- The troupe travels to perform at various events across the US.
Opportunities
- The Pacific Northwest is surprisingly underrepresented in the Hip-Hop community. There is a lot of untapped talent in this area, especially in the field of dance.
- For the youth that participate in Reality Check, the opportunities to become well paid dancers and choreographers is great and quite realistic.
- The youth involved with Reality Check have the opportunity to explore the world of entrepreneurship and business leadership, as they will each have a role within the organization, from administration and accounting to marketing and advertising.
- Reality Check provides the opportunity for youth to make money doing something they enjoy, versus making money in an “unsuitable” manner.
- Local businesses have the opportunity to provide support to youth in their own neighborhoods, while at the same time, promoting their business.
- Supporters of Reality Check will receive advertisement and promotion locally and nationally wherever Reality Check performs.
Objectives
- Make Reality Check a nationally recognized youth outreach and performance troupe.
- Create and develop talented, artistic assets to society.
- Develop and perform dances and “dancicals” that encourage and send positive messages to today’s youth and families.
- Become self-sufficient and profitable, with the objective of being a limited source of income to the youth that are Reality Check Members.
Experiences
- Reality Check has had the opportunity to perform for some very memorable events
- Featured on Komo 4 News with United Way Youth Day of Caring
- Mayor and City Officials of Tacoma
- Golden Eagles September 11th Day of Remembrance
- YMCA Walk for Youth
- Grand Re-opening for the Peoples Community Center
- Grand Re-opening for the Al Davies Boys and Girls Club
- Culture Shock Atlanta Hip-Hop Showcase, held in Atlanta, GA
- Culture Shock Oakland’s Annual Hip-Hop Showcase, held in San Fransisco, CA.
Risks and Rewards
- The risk involved in creating and supporting Reality Check is that a child who needs an outlet could be encouraged and helped to achieve the very best in his/her life.
- The reward is that a community of children who need an outlet will strive to achieve the very best in their lives.
In many ways, society has giving up on our youth. However, Reality Check is comprised of awesome young people who raise the bar of expectation to a high level. They endeavor to be model students, dynamic peer leaders, and excellent examples to children younger than themselves. Youth of Reality Check develop and show respect for people from all walks of life, and take the time to embrace other cultures. Only by learning about and accepting others, can we truly come to know and appreciate ourselves.
As a organization that is involved in reaching out and bettering its community, Reality Check can only grow by means of support from its community. Please support Reality Check. If you are a local business, support the youth in your community. Reality Check travels to major performances in California and on the East Coast each year. Donations from supporters such as yourself, make our performances possible. Reality Check is in need of permanent rehearsal space. If you are a local property owner with space available, please contact us. If you are a teen who enjoys dancing and Hip-Hop music, auditions are held every fall for the new season.
Reality Check is available for corporate events, community events, and private parties. Email or call the “hip-hopline” to book Reality Check for your next event.
Thank you for you support.
Reality Check Dance Troupe