The Dunbar Project is Ujima’s Arts Training Program, dedicated to training 12-18 year old students in the performance styles and traditions of their ancestors, and providing them with opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge through public performance.
Interdisciplinary training in acting, music, dance and technical theater is provided by professional artists, designers, and educators with significant performance and teaching experience.
The Dunbar Project
The Dunbar Project helps build and strengthen connections in young people, providing experiential workshops and training in areas such as:
Acting and scene work – focusing on developing character and on works both from the African American canon and relevant contemporary/new pieces that reflect the experiences of the students and their communities
Devised Theater
Script Analysis
Poetry
Staged Plays
Dance – offering both fall and summer program-long dance classes, as well as intensives in various cultural, classical, and contemporary dance techniques such as
African
Modern
Hip-Hop
Jazz
Bollywood
Tap
Salsa
Music – training with local musicians and artists for both solo and group music work, and affording performance and training experience in
solo vocal music
choral vocal music
African drums
piano
loop pedals
traditional instruments
Technical theater – beginner exposure and classes in behind-the-scenes stage crafts and technology
directing
sound design
lighting design
costumes & props
set building & design
Community Exposure — we provide our children with enrichment through field trips to local cultural performances and events. Past and upcoming trips include
Shea’s Performing Arts Center
Shakespeare in Deleware Park
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
Strong Museum of Play
Art Galleries & Installations
Professional Artistic Development — Students who advance in the program are given opportunities to work on our professional productions in various roles such as performers, shadow-directors, tech operators, stage hands, assistant stage managers, and wardrobe crew. Additionally, students are given instruction on resume-building, interview and audition skills, professional etiquette, and industry-standard tools, ensuring that our students exit the program ready to step into the next step of their artistic journey
Introducing:
The Hanesworth Project
Named after Buffalo, NY’s first poet laureate Jillian Hanesworth, the new Ujima Hanesworth Project will begin accepting students in Fall 2026.
This program is designed for students ages 8-12 who are interested in exploring their talents and growing as performers by deepening their skills in dance, music, acting, and more!
Questions?
Interested in working with any of our education programs?
Whether you’d like more information on becoming a student, a teaching artist, or sponsor- fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly! We can't wait to hear from you!