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DECEMBER 26, 2024 - JANUARY 1, 2025
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Vol. 35 No. 53
HERALD PERSON oF THE YEAR Brooke roByn Dairman
She’s all about the Long Beach arts
Brooke Robyn Dairman helps young people grow through dance and theatre By Angelina Zingariello
Brooke Robyn Dairman has long been one of the most influential figures in Long Beach’s arts community. Known for her dedication to the performing arts, she is a leader in youth theater and dance education, and for all that she has done for young people eager to develop their talents, the Herald is proud to name Dairman its 2024 Person of the Year. From her beginnings as a young dancer to her co-founding of the Professional Youth Theatre and becoming co-director of the Dance Loft, Dairman, 42, has always been driven by a passion for helping young people grow and mature by way of the arts. Through her love of performance, she helps shape never thought young dancers into not only wellrounded performers, but well-rounded to myself that people as well. I could make a Dairman’s passion for dance decareer of this. veloped early. She was raised in Oceanside, and started dancing at age 5. It wasn’t until she was a teenager, BRookE RoBYN however, that she decided to pursue DAIRMAN dance more seriously. After researching nearby studios where she could expand her skills, she discovered the Dance Loft, on West Park Avenue in Long Beach. After graduating from Oceanside High School in 2000, Dairman studied anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania, and then earned a master’s degree in social work at Columbia University. Although the focus of her education was seemingly unrelated to theater and dance, she has found it invaluable. Anthropology, she said, taught her how to listen to and understand people, skills she applies to acting and directing. And social work, she said, equipped her with the tools to support young performers through their personal challenges. “I never thought to myself that I could make a career of this — it just didn’t strike me,” Dairman said of the performing arts. “And so now I’m in my early 20s, and thinking to myself, I really love musical theater, I’m pretty good at it, maybe we could do this, we’re in New York City, let’s give this a go. Kind of as a surprise to me, that totally took off.” Dairman toured nationally with theater productions including “Peter Pan,” “Damn Yankees,” “All Shook Up,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Hello, Dolly!” performing in the ensembles. The tours gave her experience as a performer, and as a member of a larger creative team. In 10 years on the road, Dairman worked alongside seasoned professionals, learning the ins and outs of big-time theater.
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She returned to the Dance Loft as an instructor in 2014. That year, she met Erica Asher, a graduate of Syracuse University’s prestigious musical theater program and the mother of one of her students. They shared a passion for theater, and they co-founded Professional Youth Theatre, on East Walnut Street, driven by a vision to create a space where young people could nurture their artistic talents while gaining self-confidence and building life skills such as teamwork. Johanna Mathieson, the executive director of Long Beach’s Artists in Partnership, met Dairman in 2014, and immediately recognized her vision and passion. Their friendship has grown since then, along with Mathieson’s admiration for Dairman. “She’s such a generous spirit,” Mathieson said. “Every time she gets a new group of students coming in, you feel the inspiration, joy and love that she gives them. Everyone has these dreams, but not all of them are willing to put in the kind of work that goes into getting there. So she does it every single day. She makes it work. And that’s such a great quality.” Professional Youth Theatre stages fall and spring musicals, Continued on page 2 Courtesy Brooke Robyn Dairman
Brooke Robyn Dairman has dedicated her life to the arts and, in doing so, has also dedicated her life to mentoring the Long Beach youth.