Fifth Ward Arts Camp At UH School Of Theatre & Dance Finishes First Year

Students and alumni from the UH School of Theatre & Dance just wrapped up the first D.E.C.K. in Houston's historic Fifth Ward. The camp is named for the neighborhood's Deluxe Theatre, which has a storied past in the arts.

D.E.C.K. introduced acting, puppetry, storytelling and dance under the guidance of UH teaching artists, including some faculty and graduate students. The camp was made possible by a multi-year grant of $260,000 from the Houston Endowment.

"The grant supports the university's commitment to community partnerships and funds a pilot program that will be the seed for an ongoing arts education relationship between UH, Houston Independent School District and the Fifth Ward," Steven Wallace, director of the UH theatre and dance school, said in a statement.

The camp included third-, fourth- and fifth-graders from the E.O. Smith, Atherton, Crawford and Nat Q. Henderson elementary schools in the Fifth Ward. On the last day of camp, June 26, the students performed for family, friends and the community.