By Omwattie Kissoon. This summer, Queensborough Community College and contemporary dance company Drastic Action are partnering to present “Don’t Just Stand By,” a new creative movement workshop exploring what it means to be a bystander or an upstander in the face of injustice. “It’s about looking at how we respond when we witness injustice,” said Professor Aviva Geismar, workshop leader and founder of Drastic Action. “Do we stay silent, or do we take a stand?” The free, five-day workshop runs from Monday to Friday, August 18–22, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in RFKennedy Hall, Room 214.
Open to all QCC students, the workshop invites participants—regardless of dance experience—to explore themes of civic responsibility, moral courage, and social action through movement, writing, and group collaboration. The program culminates in two performances at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center (QPAC): Saturday, September 6, 2025 7 p.m. will be open to the general public, and Tuesday September 9th, 2025 at 11 a.m. for the college community as part of next year’s Welcome Read.
The dual performance structure emphasizes a professional-student dialogue that strengthens both voices and amplifies the workshop’s message. “The title ‘Don’t Just Stand By’ speaks directly to our focus,” said Professor Geismar.
Art as Activism
Throughout the week, students will participate in journaling, discussion, improvisation, and movement exercises aimed at helping them explore personal experiences and build meaningful work around the concept of “upstanding,” a term coined to mean taking a stand rather than being passive complicit . The workshop offers a safe, inclusive space for participants to connect deeply with one another and to develop performances rooted in their own reflections.
“This is not about dance technique,” said Geismar. “It’s about creating something honest and urgent using the body as a tool for communication.”
About the Facilitator
Professor Geismar has taught dance and movement for over two decades and has been a faculty member at QCC since 2013.
“Dance has always been a vehicle for change,” she said. “In this workshop, we’re not just moving. We’re building community.” She is known for her choreographic work addressing social themes such as gentrification, the housing crisis, immigration, and mental health—issues she has explored through both solo and ensemble works with Drastic Action. Her most recent work explored gentrification, the human right to a home, and the current housing crisis. She has also explored the journey of immigration and issues around mental health.
This marks the first time “Don’t Just Stand By” is being presented at QCC, though Geismar has facilitated similar workshops in other settings. She sees this program as an important introduction to dance as a form of critical inquiry and activism.
“Standing by in the face of injustice is a kind of participation in it,” she said. “This workshop encourages students to consider their role and power as individuals and as a collective.”
Gateway to QCC’s Dance Program
While “Don’t Just Stand By” is open to all QCC students, it also serves as an introduction to the college’s growing dance program. Students who develop a passion for movement and creative expression may choose to take additional classes or even declare a dance major.
The Dance program offers an Associate in Science degree (A.S.) in dance. Courses include modern, ballet, jazz, African dance, dance history, improvisation, and choreography. Dance majors perform regularly in faculty- and student-choreographed works and collaborate with professional guest artists.
QCC’s dance graduates have successfully transferred to renowned programs at institutions such as Queens College, Hunter College, Brooklyn College, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Purchase, Rutgers University, Marymount Manhattan, and Montclair State University.
“Our program is open to anyone with a high school diploma or equivalent and the drive to work hard,” said Geismar. “We give students the foundation to enter some of the best dance programs in the country.”
Register Now
Advance registration for “Don’t Just Stand By” is required and open now. Students must be able to attend all five days of the workshop. To reserve a spot or learn more, contact Professor Aviva Geismar at ageismar@qcc.cuny.edu.
Whether you are a seasoned performer or simply curious about using art to address real-world issues, this summer workshop offers an opportunity to move with purpose—and to speak out through movement.
“We’re not just making dances,” said Geismar. “We’re creating a space for change.”
