A Message from Miranda
“I don’t want to see the kids acting like grown ups, I want to see the grown-ups act more like kids. ”
A very little Moo on her way to Creative Movement Class. Circa 1993.
I have been wondering lately if Woody Guthrie would still say this today. As a former kid who grew up in the ‘Caravan, I loved the sentiment of the quote above. I remember waiting in the wings backstage, giddy with anticipation, until Amy Fradon said those very words and Livia started dinging on the triangles. That was our cue! We would skip out on to the stage with the biggest smiles on our faces and build, with our bodies and our imaginations alone, a playground.
As I teach my own group of Caravan Kids now--I try to instill in them the same values and lessons I have learned from Livia Vanaver. I teach them to play, to explore, to be curious, and to listen--to each other, and to their instincts. I teach them about the histories of the dance traditions that we train in because I intrinsically understand that learning about the world through movement sinks in to our muscle memories and sticks there forever.
Our bodies remember lessons that our minds forget. What textbooks did I read in third grade? No idea. What dance did I learn in third grade? Easy! The South African Gumboot Dance—which taught me the history of Apartheid and racial oppression in South Africa before I could compose full sentences or read a book for fun. It is hard to describe in words how important it was to have this training as a child. But I’ll try to sum it up concisely: To grow up in The Vanaver Caravan is to grow up whole.
The lessons that The Vanaver Caravan teaches to children and teens feel more precious and vital than ever these days. I don’t want Woody Guthrie’s words to feel sad or ironic to me anymore. I want grown-ups to act like grown ups and be willing to be playful, curious, respectful and kind as children are taught to be. I want to see our children grow up in a world that is healthy and filled with people who listen to those they disagree with, recognize all people as human beings, and treat others with dignity and compassion.
Miranda and Marina Lopez teaching in Udaipur, India. January 2012. Photo by R.J. Partington III.
The Vanaver Caravan teaches these principals in every dance workshop and performance they do. Dance and music are simply the mediums used here to remind people how to be good to each other. What would the world look like if all the grown ups of today got to train as Caravan Kids when they were little? In that world, I am certain the Woody Guthrie would be happy with what he saw.
I want to see this nonprofit not just survive in the coming months and years, but thrive and adapt as the world changes and evolves. In order to build the infrastructure needed, hire and diversify our staff pool, and reach students of all ethnic and financial backgrounds, the simple fact is that we need more funding. There are so many people, organizations and systemic structures in financial need right now—it’s hard to know where to give. I get it. I feel helpless and overwhelmed when I look at the state of the world on a daily basis.
My light and solace is my job at The Vanaver Caravan because I know—in my body—that educating young people in the gentle, wholesome, and creative pedagogy of The Vanaver Caravan, is one of the surest ways to effect real and lasting, positive change. So, if you can, lend your financial support to this company. Your donations will land in good hands, be put to good use, and help children grow up to be whole.
Gratefully,
Miranda (Moo) ten Broeke
Wearer of Many Hats at The Vanaver Caravan
