Elevate Black Dance Stories: Join Our Rhythmic Journey

“And The BEAT Goes On” is a touching and impactful docuseries that takes a look into the lives of Black dance studios, their owners, and directors across our nation. Exhibiting dance and the Black culture in an ascending light, and through on-screen interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and deep storytelling, each episode captures captivating interviews and testimonials through the eyes of dance professionals and their students of color through their stories and experiences as a studio by catapulting them to mass audiences. Created and Executive Produced by Cristala "Krys" Poole Dorsey, Founder and Creative Director for Upward Artistry Arts and Entertainment Agency, professional dancer, artistic director, dance coach and industry mentor, "And The BEAT Goes On" represents the essence of dance studios of color everywhere by bringing their leaps, battements, life lessons, Black girl and Black boy magic to television screens.

As another season of "Dance Moms" is unfortunately displayed on tv screens, for me, it is perfect timing to announce a film project - a docuseries - I have been working on the past two years. I have been enlisting Black dance studio owners and directors to be part of this project as we are pioneers of dance in America, and we hold the fabric to the indelible culture of dance. I'm ready to embark on this endeavor, but in the magnitude that I desire, it does require financial support to produce this docuseries in the magnitude that we desire for onscreen and televised viewing. As a Black dance professional myself as a director, coach, mentor as well as an entertainment and arts industry professional, it hurts my soul to see what has been depicted on screen by "Dance Moms", "Bring It" and the like not showing a TRUE reflection of dance and Black dancers. I am proud to announce "And The BEAT Goes On," a docuseries that will highlight the beauty, experiences, and triumphs of Black dance studios and companies across our nation. Some of the episodes will feature prominent dance studios and companies, and other episodes - lesser known studios, but with great impacts within their communities.

Through a questionnaire, interested studios have to answer a series of questions pertaining to their location, demographic information, family incomes of their student base, questions pertaining to the culture of the studio and experiences - the good, bad and beautiful. The questionnaire also allows space for studio owners and directors to expound and highlight deserving students and staff, as well as further their expression on why their studio should be selected to be featured in the docuseries. Many of the questions to the questionnaire I pulled from my own experiences as a studio director, coach and mentor, so this project is also an extension of myself, my legacy, and the studio - HeartBEAT Houston - that I fell in love with as the Artistic Director. Let's do a roll call of the studios that have signed on to the project:

Chicago, IL

Lafayette, LA

Magnolia, AK

Houston, TX

Brunswick, NJ

Columbus, OH

Woodbridge, CT

Temple Hills, MD

Indianapolis, IN

Austell, GA

Lithonia, GA

Harlem, NY

As questionnaires roll in, my team and I review everyone's responses, do additional research on studios that meet the scope of what we are trying to capture, and reach out to the selected studios to begin the process of filming. Meaning...ALOT of travel will be involved to various cities to be able to film at each studio.

This has been two years in the making, and I have copyrighted paperwork, acquired the masters to the theme song, NDAs, treatment, and other documentation toward the docuseries.

Secured funding gives my team and I more leverage as we present this project to streaming platforms as well as the "big wigs" of the industry should a network desire to pick-up the project, although our primary aim is web-based on streaming within distribution.

As the visionary behind the project, as a Black woman, this is a GREAT undertaking that many Black dance professionals are excited about, and I want to ensure that this project is presented in the highest manner and quality. Additional funding raised will be primarily spent on pre-production/production/post-production, equipment, travel, and financial compensation to the filming team. This does not include myself as the Creator and Executive Producer. Please make sure to visit the "rewards" tab to view how we will thank each supporter as well as additional offerings. The more voices from the masses, the more we maintain control of how OUR story is told as it pertains to the Black dance culture.