Freedom Partners
Chanel Holland
Chanel Holland is the founder and artistic director of Chocolate Ballerina Company. Chanel is a traditional ballet, modern, jazz, and hip-hop choreographer and pioneer, who devotes her time teaching Vaganova technique to inner-city youth. She’s a lead teaching artist for BalletX’s in-school dance education program, Dance eXchange.
At the age of 16, Chanel was accepted into The Alvin Ailey School, a world-class training program for aspiring dancers. She studied at Koresh, The University of the Arts, National Dance Institute NYC, a Wissahickon Dance Academy. Determined to put her knowledge to use, Chanel’s experience extends beyond becoming a Complexions’ Apprentice, member of the Philadelphia Dance Company II, NAACP-ACT-So’s 2011 Gold Medalist, 2010 Choreographer of the Year, and a member of the Sixers Junior Dance Team. Through her time in the dance community, Chanel engages in the opportunity to be an active background dance for various local and international artists.
Throughout her creative journey, Chanel didn’t just test out dance, she started as an actress, attending the New Freedom Theatre, performing arts program. Chanel was granted the opportunity to participate in roles with legendary Philadelphia actors Johnnie Hobbs, Jr., Walter Dallas, and many others.
She created Chocolate Ballerina Company for change due to the lack of ballet culture in urban communities and performance opportunities to black artists. Building a company out of pain and self-resentment has transpired through the company’s repertory and lives through the passion in the company dancers.
Chanel received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet from Temple University and Tish School NYU and continues to choreograph and teach artist development experiences.
Aspire: No Limits © 2016 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Ernel Martinez. 21st and Ellsworth Streets. Photo by Steve Weinik.
The historic Edwin Forrest Mansion has housed Freedom Theatre since 1968. (Photo via Creative Commons/Wikipedia).
Street Knowledge © 2020 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Gabe Tiberino. 2125 Stanley Street. Photo by Steve Weinik.
freedom theatre mural
Mural Arts Philadelphia proposes wall murals for the Freedom Theatre at 1346 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA. The new mural will serve to celebrate past, present and future of the theatre and surrounding community and will feature the founders and legacy members of the theatre within the artwork.
The façade of the building where the murals are being proposed is historical and any alterations must be presented and approved by the Philadelphia Historic Commission. Due to the historic status of the wall, it is not possible to paint or adhere mural cloth directly onto the walls. Historical Commission has initially responded positively to the proposal of creating murals on the two recessed areas identified, provided that the murals were on panels, not on the building itself, and that the panels were mounted in such a way that the building was not harmed. Historic records show that the area on the left was used for a painted sign when the women’s art school occupied the building and the area on the right was previously altered for a door and then later restored back to its original appearance.
About the ANnenberg Center
As the University of Pennsylvania’s home for the performing arts, the Annenberg Center connects diverse audiences with visionary artists and innovative ideas, engaging both the University and the greater Philadelphia community in transformative artistic experiences.
Founded in 1971, the Annenberg Center is one of the nation's foremost urban performing arts centers on a major university campus, serving as a cultural destination in Philadelphia and connecting regional audiences and the University through a broad range of programs in theatre, music and dance. In fulfillment of its mission, the Annenberg Center engages world-renowned and emerging artists who express adventuresome perspectives on contemporary issues and timeless ideas and who further the Annenberg Center's commitment to artistic and intellectual excellence, diversity and education for adult, student and family audiences.
Annual programming includes dramatic touring theatre, jazz, world music, culturally-specific roots programming (including African, Asian, Latin, and Irish work), dance and local Philadelphia artists. For 32 years, the Annenberg Center presented Dance Celebration, one of the nation's top dance series, in partnership with Dance Affiliates. For younger audiences, the Annenberg Center presents school-time matinee programs and the annual Philadelphia Children's Festival, established in 1985 as the first event of its kind in the nation, serving children and families in the region with a range of artistic and interactive experiences.