Dance Company Puts Youths on Solid Footing in Arts, Life

At age 3, Marcella Lewis would put on her dance tights and strive for grace under the watchful eyes of Lula Washington. Now, six years later, the discipline, poise and confidence gained at the Lula Washington Dance Company have translated into top grades and a determination to join the troupe’s adult performers when she is old enough.

“We brought her here because she’s an only child, and we wanted her to have more activities than just school and home,” said her mother, Valerie Gilkey. “I’ve seen everything she’s learned here translate right on over to the classroom: self-confidence, the ability to pay attention, following directions.”

Somehow, while learning to dip into plies and make the sliding steps of glissades, children in the company’s classes are transformed.

There is no real secret, Washington says; dance is joyful.

“It makes your spirit soar. Some people do drugs or alcohol,” she said. “You don’t need to do that. Come to dance class.”

The studio -- with black flooring, orange-framed mirrors and fluorescent lights -- is a bustling, homelike place. Children play while their siblings dance; parents chat with each other. And administrative duties are handled by Washington; her husband, Erwin; daughter Tamica Washington-Miller; and other relatives.

Lula Washington focuses primarily on the artistic side of the company, however, while her husband raises funds, applies for grants and otherwise handles the finances.

“That’s why my hair is gray and hers isn’t,” he deadpans.

The nonprofit company, founded 23 years ago, offers low-cost ballet, modern dance, African dance with drummers, and jazz classes to about 200 children.

Its Youth Dance Ensemble and its company of adult professionals also maintain a rigorous performance schedule, dancing throughout California and in other parts of the country.

More than just a dance studio, the company is a safe haven for youths.

They go to Lula Washington to dance after school, after dinner, late into Friday and Saturday nights -- and often return Sunday afternoons.

“If I could offer dance classes from 11 o’clock to 2 in the morning, they’d be here then too,” Washington said.

The Los Angeles Times Holiday Campaign, which raises money for nonprofit agencies in Southern California, gave $15,000 to the company, which, while achieving increasing renown for its performances, has struggled to make ends meet.

The organization’s original home in the West Adams district of Los Angeles was severely damaged by the 1994 Northridge earthquake, and since that time classes have been offered at a cramped one-room studio on Pico Boulevard just east of La Brea Avenue.

Work is progressing on a spacious new building on Crenshaw Boulevard, but the company is still trying to raise funds and donations for some items. Still needed are flooring, a heating system, mirrors for the walls, computers for the study room and paint for the exterior.

“It’s going to be a joyous day when we can move into that new space,” Lula Washington said. “We hope to uplift the community when they see that a professional dance company is going to be there. There’s been a lot of struggle along the way, but when we’re there, then it will be tremendous. It will be joy.”

HOW TO GIVE

The annual Holiday Campaign is part of the Los Angeles Times Family Fund, a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation, which this year will match the first $800,000 raised at 50 cents on the dollar. Donations (checks or money orders) supporting the Holiday Campaign should be sent to: L.A. Times Holiday Campaign, File 56986, Los Angeles, CA 90074-6986. Do not send cash. Credit card donations can be made on the Web site: www.latimes.com/holidaycampaign.

All donations are tax-deductible. Contributions of $50 or more may be published in The Times unless a donor requests otherwise; acknowledgment cannot be guaranteed. For more information call (800) LATIMES, Ext. 75771.