Take The Lead upcoming new movie releases starring Antonio Banderas
Take the Lead Official Site: Pierre Dulaine Professional Dance Teacher Teaching Ballroom Dancing Lessons
Pierre Dulaine - American Ballroom Theater Co.
Summary: Antonio Banderas stars as a professional dancer and teacher teaching ballroom dancing lessons to New York Bronx inner city kids.
Back Story
Diane Nabatoff caught a story on the CBS- Sunday Morning re; Pierre and his program, who then came to New Line with the idea of TAKE THE LEAD. 'Mad Hot Ballroom' was also based on Pierre and his programs, however he is not mentioned and was deliberately taken out of the film.
Pierre Dulaine's Program
Pierre's company is called American Ballroom Theater Co., abbreviated ABRT (so not to be confused with ABT - American Ballet Theater).
The program is called "Dancing Classrooms," which is currently in 110 New York Elementary Schools (4th and 5th graders), 12,000 students, 478 courses, and has recently expanded to twelve 8th grade classes. This is a licensed program that is held during school hours as part of the curriculum - it is a 10 week program with 2 lessons per week. The program is beginning to franchise across the country. Chicago has just signed on to license the program in their schools and Pierre will be conducting clinics for educators in Omaha and Kentucky funded by the Buffet family and Abercrombie family for the next few weekends in January.
There are also Saturday "Reunion- Scholarship" classes where kids who have completed the program in their school and wish to continue are invited to attend, approx 150 kids. Pierre has established a dancing troupe from this program with 4 teams, that perform at benefits, competitions, practice parties...and are available to us.
Important Dates
February 8th
Winter Colors Match- Preliminary Round
Thirty three of the schools participating in the Dancing Classrooms program will be competing in a city wide team match. With run-offs in each of the New York boroughs, these matches culminate with a grand final at the World Financial Center's Winter Garden in June.
5:00pm - 6:45pm
Cipriani's Toy Building
February 15th
Private Benefit for the program at the University Club in Manhattan for appox. 250 pp.
February 25th
Dancing Troup will be competing at Roseland Ballroom in New York.
March 25th
N.Y./Channel Thirteen's is sponsoring a Celebration of Teaching and Learning features several unique events including discussion forums, author readings, and performances.
Tom Brokaw and Richard Dreyfuss will be moderating a discussion of educational policy with nationally recognized opinion leaders. Pierre and his troupe will be performing and giving classes.
May 7th
Dancing Troup will perform at the Kennedy Center as part of an exhibition with Marvin Hamlisch.
Hip hop dancing movie starring actor Antonio Banderas and Jenna Dewan
distributed by New Line Cinema
