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In a powerful display of artistic activism, students from Curry's Dance Social Justice (DANC 2200) class performed at The Boston Center for the Arts World AIDS Day Vigil this December.
The student performance aimed to end stigma, promote healing, and remember the lives lost to AIDS. Rachel Sanford, a junior Psychology major with a minor in Special Education, stated that she "felt a lot of pride knowing that the Curry dance class was moving a group of people."
Suspended in the center of the installation were selfies and handwritten stories contributed by the students to display the impact of stigma on their lives.
Andres Haas, a senior Public Relations major with a minor in Marketing, said, "It felt cathartic during the dance because I was thinking about my own challenges as a student with learning disabilities."
Beyond their artistic expression, the students engaged in discussions with representatives from the Community Resource Initiative, a Massachusetts-based HIV drug assistance program. The organization covers out-of-pocket costs for pre-exposure prophylaxis medications and prescription drugs for individuals living with HIV.
Nigel Griffith of Boston Neighborhood Network also interviewed the student performers, capturing their experience as performers and activists.
The performers included Kaylynne Bettencourt, Arlette Bobadilla, Andres Haas, Kayla Hanuschak, Ally Hoffman, Sarah Kelly, Nora Madison, Jake Perrotte, Miguel Pina, Kelly Pineda, Rachael Sanford, and Mike Worden - all played a pivotal role in delivering an impactful message through their dance.