**This season, WCDW has chosen the theme of "Surround" as we endeavor to encircle our community with love, strength, endurance, and all the things that dance helps to develop.**

With YOUR HELP, we will be able to:

Revive the heroic, true story of Rachel Harris, a runaway slave in Chester County and her search for freedom and dignity as found in the writings of Robert C. Smedley and other period journalists
Sustain our organization and continue the meaningful work that we do to develop our dancers, support our growing student body at the Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts, and further cultivate our outreach programs

As we "surround" you with the power of dance this season, we hope that you would equally surround us with your support!

Levels Of Giving

"DONOR" $1-$499: Receives program acknowledgement

"SUPPORTER" $500-$999: Receives program acknowledgement & name on studio plaque

"SUSTAINER" $1000-UP: Receives program acknowledgement, name on studio plaque & invite to a special rehearsal

Rachel Harris: One Woman Over the Line

Originally premiering in 2008, this retelling of Rachel’s story illustrates how, during a dark time in American history, many people of varying backgrounds took risks and contributed to the pursuit of freedom. This multimedia project brings history to life with a regionally significant story that engages the audience through dance, projected historical images, song, percussion, and narration.

We need YOUR HELP to secure the funds to support:

Travel accommodations
Space usage
Theater rentals
Costumes/props
Professional collaborative artists (i.e. vocalists, percussionists, etc.)
Staff compensation (including teachers, booking manager, and program coordinators)

For the 2025 revival, Rachel Harris excerpts will be prepared for presentation in January. The full-length concert will launch February 7th (7:30PM) and 9th (2:30PM) at Chester County’s local theater, Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (including a performance for local school students).

This production has been fitted for a variety of formats, including a full professional performance, performance excerpts, a lecture demonstration, workshops and more. As we continue to book engagements for 2025, we look to secure funds to reach as many audiences as possible!

Rachel Harris is a moving performance that has been highly praised for its beauty and authenticity by notable members of the community, including the founder of the Kennett Underground Railroad Center.

In a greatnonprofits.org review from 2010, a viewer writes:

“Their professional company's original "Rachel Harris: One Woman Over the line," tells the story of a West Chester area slave's travel to freedom through dance. It is a performance not to be missed! A beautiful, emotional, historical story brought to life in a very personal way. The training the participants receive is top notch, the life experiences they gain from bringing their work to the community is fabulous.”

For more information about our organization, please visit our website at www.westchesterdanceworks.org

WCDW Surround

Rachel Harris and Beyond...

Team Members