Histroy

In 2001, at age 21, Aimee Short started the process of building what is now BreakDown. The vision was massive, knowing that what she was setting out to create was not meant for Tucson, or even the United States, but the world. Starting with a group of a dozen dancers, the team grew to include a cast of 8 drama members, a small technical team and one motivational speaker.

BreakDown's first full program debuted in 2002 on a tiny outdoor stage in San Manuel, Arizona. The 10x14 foot projection screen caught wind and blew over, but overall it was a great success. The team continued to grow in numbers, professionalism, and visibility, and in 2003 began it's expansion into Phoenix, Arizona. Aimee knew that the Phoenix expansion was the first of many more to come.

In August of 2005 the combined Arizona teams traveled to Hollywood, California to premier BreakDown to the world on an international stage. Thus, the National Expansion was born, birthing new teams all over the country including Indianapolis Indiana, St. Louis Missouri, Chicago Illinios, Grand Rapids Michigan, Springfield Ohio, Van Wert Ohio, Joplin Missouri, Gary Indiana, Fargo North Dakota, and Port St. Lucie Florida.

Also in 2005, divine providence allowed Aimee to be introduced to a man who would change her life, and enlist BreakDown in the battle against AIDS in Africa. Apostle Alex Mitala, one of the founders of the virginity movement in Uganda, joined forces with Aimee and BreakDown to bring it's life saving message to Uganda, Afica, creating BreakDown Uganda.

On July 14th of 2006, 49 Americans flew to Uganda as part of the first BreakDown International trip. Joining forces with the new BreakDown Uganda team, consisting of AIDS orphans and other youth impacted by the disease, BreakDown USA and BreakDown Uganda worked together to premier the African program at the National Soccor Stadium in Kampala on July 22nd, 2006. And the rest is, as we say, history. More opportunities continue to open up all over the U.S. and in countries all over the world as the message of BreakDown spreads.