Arts Classes

Fort Worth arts nonprofit offers free classes to under-privileged youth

Above the Clouds is a nonprofit for arts education.

Above the Clouds

A Fort Worth nonprofit is offering classes on singing, dancing, and more to inner-city kids: Called Above the Clouds, it provides instruction on dance, vocals, and other performing arts to kids as an outlet to express themselves.

Founded in Wisconsin in 2001, Above the Clouds was inspired by president and co-founder Linda Wade's visits to women's prisons in Wisconsin and Texas and her curiosity about what got them there or what their upbringing was like. That transformed into a desire to keep young children from facing the same fate.

They offer a faith-based, free creative arts program to reach disadvantaged children who would not have the means or opportunity to participate in such programs.

The organization expanded to Texas in 2022, led by Texas director and seamstress Tina Washington, who organizes dance, theater, and vocal classes for students ages 5 -17 at the William M. McDonald YMCA.

"We opened up our first location at the YMCA in Fort Worth, and we currently have two sites in the Tarrant County area," Washington says. "Our classes are year round and we have the summer camp currently going now."

In addition to the YMCA, they also offer classes at LTV Rise Community Center and and at Forest Oak Middle school — both located in neighborhoods where classes like this would be dearly appreciated.

The classes are held in the evening and typically run small with a total of three instructors (they're looking for more to recruit who have professional training) and about 12 to 15 students per class. Lessons taught range from ballet and hip hop to jazz, vocals, and theater.

Their summer session is underway, and Washington says they'll post registration forms online for the next session in the fall.

"Even when a class is at no cost, sometime they have to buy supplies," Washington says. "We provide everything so they don't have to buy any of that, so that is what brings me excitement— to know that we can provide that benefit along with accessibility to arts to children in the community."

Recitals are held annually with a few smaller showcases throughout the year.

"We have mini showcases throughout the year and will be doing a small showcase of the summer semester at the end of July," she says.

In the Spotlight

Fort Worth's Hip Pocket Theatre names first-ever managing director

Courtesy photo

Gianina Lambert

The out-of-the-box Fort Worth theater company Hip Pocket Theatre is starting the New Year with a new managing director: Gianina Lambert.

The Texas Wesleyan University grad has previously worked as a stage manager at the al fresco Hip Pocket, and will now manage the day-to-day in the newly created position.

“We’re thrilled to add Gianina to the Hip Pocket Theatre staff in the new position of managing director,” says Holly Ellman, chair of the board of directors. “Her experience as a stage manager at Hip Pocket proved her ability to face problems head-on and develop creative solutions that benefit all."

Ellman notes in the press release that an anonymous donor's recent contribution has allowed the theater company to expand to a full-time, locally managed leadership team — a major help as Hip Pocket gears up for its rapidly approaching 50th anniversary in 2026.

"This critical support allows our co-artistic directors, Lake and Lorca Simons, to dedicate more time to their creative vision, ensuring Hip Pocket's continued growth and artistic excellence," says Ellman.

Born and raised in Connecticut, Lambert began her theatrical training at Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, working most notably for Looking In Theater Company, a performance ensemble comprised of teenagers from the Greater Hartford area.

She continued her education at Texas Wesleyan University, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting. She has worked with Fort Worth Opera, Circle Theatre, Artes de la Rosa, Casa Mañana, and Stage West, and served as stage manager for several Hip Pocket Theatre productions, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Big Love during the recently concluded 48th season.

"I joined Hip Pocket Theatre in the summer of 2021 and my heart has not left since,” Lambert says. “I’m passionate about continuing the legacy of community, innovation, and technique that Johnny Simons, Diane Simons, and Douglas Balentine have built. I’m also thrilled to be working alongside Lake and Lorca Simons, two brilliant creatives whose artistry has shaped and molded me in beautiful ways. Together, I’m confident we can take Hip Pocket to new heights as we move toward the highly anticipated 50th season."

Based in Fort Worth, Hip Pocket Theatre is a unique, alternative theatre company known for its imaginative, experimental productions and its rustic outdoor setting.

Established in 1976, the theater combines an unconventional approach to storytelling with original scores, drama, humor, puppetry, mime, and movement. Hip Pocket produces a wide variety of works, including original plays, adaptations, musicals, and multimedia performances. Often incorporating elements of fantasy and fable, the theater creates an immersive experience filled with creativity and artistic exploration.

The 2025 season has not yet been announced.

theater