Dancing in A-Yard: A Conversation with Dimitri Gales and Manuela Dalle.

What do you get when you cross the desire for a dance class inside a men’s prison with a French contemporary choreographer and a documentary filmmaker? You get Dancing in A-Yard, a film that “deconstructs preconceived ideas surrounding prison and incarceration by exploring the spectrum of the participants’ masculinity and their collective desire for transformation both individually and as a community.” 

 Manuela Dalle is a sociologist and filmmaker who documented the unfolding of the inaugural and innovative dance program that was born inside the walls of California State Prison, Los Angeles County, also referred to as Lancaster, based on its location. That birth of the program is to the credit of the formerly incarcerator dancer Dimitri Gales, known as Buddha. Along with his friend Kenneth Webb, Gales wrote a proposal to the prison administration, asking for a dance program, emphasizing the rehabilitative aspects of art. To their surprise, the proposal was approved. 

With the dance program footage captured over several years, Dalle produced Dancing in A-Yard, a film currently in circulation and available for screenings. Furthermore, in recognition of his hard work to transform himself, Gales was released on parole in April 2022. 

Enjoy our Q&A with dancer Dimitri Gales and filmmaker Manuela Dalle:

(Buddha): The idea for a dance program prompted you to submit a proposal to the prison administration. Once approved, what was your experience having a French contemporary choreographer with a background in ballet walk through the door?
My experience with having a French contemporary dance turned out to be priceless. Initially I was shocked but very open. I’d never met anyone from France before so that was cool, however, being open to his background didn’t mean that I would be open to doing ballet (laughs). I believed there was nothing more to learn other than great tips on how to strengthen balance and that was it but I was wrong. I created a whole new lane in the dance world with the information he provided.

Did you face resistance or skepticism from fellow inmates? If so, how did you get other guys to join you and Webb?
There was a little bit of skepticism initially when Dimitri shared his background but after speaking with the guys the following morning, we came to a unanimous decision that we would give him try and decide after the experience if we were comfortable to proceed. I believe the crew felt comfortable with me taking initiative with jumping out there to follow Dimitri.

How did the prison staff respond to your request for a dance program?
When requesting a space to provide a dance class, many of the staff laughed. They thought it was the funniest thing ever; a joke. However, the idea began as a joke so I wasn’t surprised, lol. Ultimately, after being consistent and submitting a list of 40 potential participant, the staff agreed to provide us a space.

(Manuela): When did you first get involved with the program?
I first got involved in the program when my husband, Dimitri Chamblas, started to go there and worked with the group. Every week, he came back home after the sessions, and he was absolutely blown away. He told me about the guys, their energy, their character, their stories.

Did you immediately think to make a movie about the journey, or did the idea evolve gradually?
Yes, I immediately thought that this would be a very interesting and powerful documentary to make, but I was convinced that it would be impossible to get permission to go there and film (I thought, I'm a woman, I'm French, my English isn't very good...). So I put the idea in the back of my mind. But one day, after one more session and everything Dimitri told me, I decided to give it a try.

Were there any unexpected discoveries or moments during filming that impacted your decision-making or direction of the film?
My first idea was to make a film about a show: the rehearsals, the stakes and tensions inherent in any creation, but also the beauty of a show taking shape. But very quickly, when I interviewed them, they opened up like never before, their stories were so powerful that I knew that more than a film about a show, it would be a film about life stories, tragedies…

What were some of the biggest challenges in filming, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenges in filming was, first, the access to enter the prison is very difficult, each time you need special authorizations, clearances, and you never know if it will work. Then the financial aspect of the whole project. We began this film with a producer who was supposed to support us, then Covid hits, and we lost everything. We totally auto-financed this shooting, asking people to work for free or with a very small budget. At the beginning it’s ok, but after a while, it’s very difficult to keep people involved in that kind of project that asks for a lot of energy.

What are some of the more memorable moments?
Of course, when Buddha was released, when we all came outside the prison to welcome him, after 11 years behind bars, we filmed that moment and it was insanely powerful.

(Buddha): 
What lessons did you learn from being a part of this inaugural program that could be applied to other prison programs or rehabilitative initiatives?
After being part of the program, one thing that I learned is all it takes is a few to be down with the crew. Show good results and progression will ensue.

Have you continued your involvement in dance since your release from prison?
What’s next for me is pursuing an acting career. I’m definitely still open to doing more dance projects and staying involved in the arts. I’m currently working on my next dance project titled “Point of No Return” which will be a thriller.

If you could express something to our readers to help them understand something about you, incarceration, or the misperceptions that people often have, what would it be?
I’m very invested in self-growth, maintaining a peace of mind and a light heart. I love dwelling in a place of gratitude and holding myself accountable for my mental health. I believe one of the popular misconceptions about incarceration from people in the who aren’t in a state facility is that there aren't any good souls in prison. The person that I am today was influenced by the teachings of those people. Wisdom come thru many different faces and courses of adversity and most people in the free world overlook or discredit the value of that wisdom because of the vehicle it arrived in.

 Can you tell us about the name Buddha? One may wonder if you have an inner wisdom that has grounded you, allowing you the strength to push boundaries and encourage this dance program that has profoundly impacted so many others involved in it.
The name buddha is definitely a childhood nickname that I unconsciously grew into through out my journey of spiritual development. A combination of my outlook, understanding, and respect for life helped shaped the aura I’ve chosen to embody and everything else fell in alignment with the name that serves as a reminder for me as to how to respond to difficulty.

(Manuela):
What do you hope audiences will take away from watching Dancing in A-Yard, particularly regarding perceptions of incarceration, rehabilitation, and the power of artistic expression?
I hope people will see these men differently. I hope they'll understand how huge the predetermination is, how it's as if these guys were born to end up in prison. I hope they'll understand that every human being can change, evolve. They'll understand that there's no reason to keep certain people in prison if they've evolved, changed. 

When it comes to artistic expression, I hope people will understand its power. It's not just entertainment, it's much deeper and fundamental, and it can change your relationship to the world and to others.

Dancing In A-Yard has been remarkably impactful and continues to resonate far and wide. From schools and colleges to art centers, museums, and even prisons, Manuela’s movie has sparked conversations, won awards, and, most importantly, inspired change. The goal is to have the film shown in every corner of the country, allowing communities to experience its powerful message firsthand. She aims to host screenings and facilitate Q&A sessions with former incarcerated individuals and team members, fostering dialogue and understanding while offering hope and inspiration.  

Please consider supporting Dancing in A-Yard so that more audiences can see this impactful film and share the trailer with those who may be interested in this project. 

(L) Dancers from the A-yard. (R) Dimitri “Buddha” Gales.