Hettie Barnhill, a Broadway actress, Filmmaker, director, choreographer, and social justice advocate, founded 'Movement & Characters', a performing arts school dedicated to offering professional, industry-level classes for students of all ages, levels, and financial backgrounds. Operating in Greater New York and New York City, the school was established in response to a perceived lack of representation and quality dance education in upstate New York. Barnhill's passion lies in sharing her love for dance and creating spaces where form and technique are taught, perspectives are shared, cultures are experienced, and history is discussed. She is also the founder of 'Create A Space NOW', an interactive social justice platform that uses performing arts and multimedia to foster discussions around  Black Lives and recent events in American race relations.

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In addition to her educational and advocacy work, Barnhill's film, 'A Love Letter to Brian, Lesley, and Michelle', has received recognition and awards at film festivals both nationally and internationally. The film was honored by the California Senate with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for "Using Film as a Vehicle For Community Engagement and Education", presented by Congressman Ro Khanna and California Senator Bob Wieckowski. Barnhill has been nominated for a New York Innovative Theater Award for Outstanding Choreography, and has performed on Television, Film, and Broadway in productions such as "Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark," the Tony Award-winning "FELA!" (original cast), and the Tony award-nominated "Leap Of Faith" (original cast). Through all her varied endeavors, Barnhill's core mission remains the same: to share her love for dance and facilitate environments where learning, sharing, experiencing, and discussing can thrive.

 

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