THREE RIVERS AREA — With a smile that could light up a room, Shani Bufford's enthusiasm for the arts is unmistakable. Bufford is not a run-of-themill dance instructor; she brings her experience as a professional actress, dancer and casting agent to share with each student who enters Fusion Dance Academy.
With the belief that participating in the arts plays such an important role in a child's future, Bufford has begun plans to open a visual and performing arts center in Batesville.
With the help of grants and contributors, Bufford hopes to bring every aspect of the art world to the doorstep of Independence and the surrounding counties.
"It helps you in every walk of life," Bufford said about the arts. "If you are in the arts, your grades go up."
Bufford got her bachelor's degree in theater and dance from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she also performed in UALR musicals, Murry's Dinner Playhouse and The Rep.
Working as a casting agent in San Diego, Calif., Bufford learned what it took to become a successful performer, and she incorporates that knowledge into her teaching.
"I saw what you needed to get the job," Bufford said. "Eva Longoria was one of our talents."
Bufford went on to earn her master's degree in theater from Missouri State University and came back to Batesville to coach the Southside High School Steppers in 2000. Under Bufford's oversight, the SHS Steppers won individual awards to perform in the Macy's Day Parade, the London New Year's Parade, the Cotton Bowl and the Paris New Year's Day Parade.
Three consecutive years, the squad performed at Disney's Universal Dance Association's National Dance Competition, which is broadcast on ESPN.
The visual and performing arts center will provide teachings for all mediums of the arts for children and adults. By incorporating dance, painting, music, sculpture, acting and other art forms, Bufford hopes to make it easier on parents and students to participate in the arts.
Each art form will be taught by experienced instructors in their fields. Classes will not only be just for kids, adult classes will also be available.
"I want parents to just go to one place," Bufford added. "We want to encompass all arts and have the kids' art for sale.
"Kids have the ability, and there's nowhere to take them," Bufford said about the lack of art classes. "I'm trying to bring it closer to home."
Bufford, along with her 10-member board of directors, which she refers to as the "board of minds," hopes to have the center up and running within the next two years.
"The benefit of an arts center would be tremendous in offering opportunities that have been limited or not even available in this area," Bufford supporter Tommy Hancock said. "It will offer access to all sorts of classes and experiences that can only contribute to making children and adults of the area more well-rounded."
Hancock, who also works with children and is involved in theater groups, believes participation in the arts raises the confidence levels in kids.
"Having the ability to perform and function within the fine arts adds to a child's self esteem, increases their interest in a wide variety of subject matter and provides them different arenas for socialization and possibly a broader base of socialization than most activities they have access to," Hancock said.
"It's not just the lessons you learn like the dance steps, but it's the life lessons you learn," Bufford said about learning an art form. "It segues into your life from education to socialization."
In addition to educating people about the arts, Bufford hopes to have a working theater within the center.
The touring shows that come to Little Rock and Memphis could just as easily come to Batesville, she said.
Prior to opening Fusion Dance Academy, Bufford taught drama at Southside High School.
She advocated expressionand allowed the "actors" in her classroom to do what they needed to do to make the scene believable.
She recalled pushing the contents off her desk so a student could stand on it and recite lines from a play.
"Kids need to be kids, and we don't let them be kids anymore," Bufford said. "It all boils down to kids. There are so many missed opportunities, and I don't want anyone to have regrets."
Hancock said Bufford is the perfect person to lead such an endeavor.
"The passion and experience as well as the determination that Shani has for the arts is exactly what is needed to get an idea like this off the ground" Hancock said. "Without a powerhouse like her, the concept of a fine arts center will remain just that, a concept."
Three Rivers, Pages 113, 116 on 08/23/2009