Break dance trailblazer Forrest (Webb) GetemGump treated students at Summit Academy Secondary School –
Akron to chic moves as they followed along during an OhioDance residency at the school. Webb is a co-founder of the legendary b-boy (male break dancer) crew Illstyle Rockers, which came on scene in Akron in the early 1990s and emerged as an influential hip hop movement in the Midwest. Webb served in an advisory capacity for the 2024 summer Olympics break dancing competitions.
“It’s a great opportunity for those who want to dance for a career,” says ninth grader Colton Reed, reflecting on the dance-movement session he and his classmates just completed with the famed break dancer, in the school gym.
The residency, which took place October 9, 16 and 23, engaged students in lessons about Ohio-rooted dance
developments. “Illstyle Rockers offers an important example of key dance development within the state, which 
can be viewed as a cauldron of dance activity, with many important dance connections intersecting over time …,” notes the residency study guide.
As students tried their hand at breaking, they gained insight into the creative process of the internationally acclaimed local artist. They also engaged in documentation processes, including interviewing, and explored the roles of dance in local culture and history, among other enrichment experiences.
OhioDance Executive Director Jane D’Angelo shares that OhioDance, based in Columbus, presents the arts to the community and residencies at schools and universities throughout the state. She was joined by Webb and Media Manager Jessica Cavender at the school, engaging with students.
“We had a good time and look forward to coming back to Akron,” D’Angelo says.
The residency was made possible through funding from the Ohio Arts Council grants program and the Akron Community Foundation.