Toe the Line follows Tasha Gaye, along with five other at-risk students, through the door of Room H-15, the dance studio in Burncoat High School, a public high school in Worcester, Massachusetts.
That is where the magic begins, because Room H-15 is more than just a dance studio. It is a safe space that’s alive and buzzing with energy. It is a productive working environment where students not only practice dance, but learn valuable life skills: collaboration, competition, work ethic, success, and failure. It is an open space of possibility for kids of all bodies and all backgrounds. And for so many students, it’s a home away from home. For 38 years, Joan Sheary—a former Rockette, dancer, choreographer, and teacher—cultivated and protected this space by insisting that her students leave their troubles outside the door. Through the rigorous process of teaching students how to dance, she inspired, fueled, agitated, and guided them to discover their unique strengths and to take charge of their lives. The lessons they learned here shape the rest of their lives.
