Repertory Dance Theatre to Present CHARETTE, 2/9

Repertory Dance Theatre's signature event and FUNdraiser, Charette, returns to the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center for the eighth consecutive year on February 9, 2013 all new twists and turns.

Bring your Valentine to a night of delectable refreshments, raucous bidding & bribing, and witty choreography hosted by KUED's Ken Verdoia. Audience members are encouraged to "bribe" celebrity judges to vote for their favorite choreographer, bid on "collectibles" from RDT's circle of friends, and watch as five new dances are created in record time! And NEW this year - to add to the secret ingredients, choreographers will get to work with live music.

Also new this year is the VIP ticket. For $75, Charette VIPs will receive priority seating, FREE drinks throughout intermission, and $15 in RDT Funny Money.

How Charette works:

Audience goes immediately to the theatre for introductions to the choreographers and a short performance.
Choreographers are given "secret ingredients" that they must use in each composition.
RDT's professional dancers and gifted community dancers are divided between the choreographers then sent to one of the 5 studios to create their work.
Charette guests (the audience) eat, drink, and merrily wander between the party and the studios where dance is being created. During this time guests are encouraged to "bribe" the judges to vote for their favorite choreographer with RDT Funny Money. Audience members can also bid on Silent Auction items - collectibles from RDT's circle of friends.
After an hour everyone returns to the theatre to see the competition, vote for their favorite, and see who wins the title of RDT's "Iron Choreographer" for 2013!
Keep reading for announcements of judges, choreographers, and more!

Click HERE for more information about Charette. Tickets can be purchased through ArtTix: www.arttix.org or 801-355-ARTS. Tickets $35*. Discounts & Specials: Couples price: $60*; Groups of 10 or more: $28*/ticket; VIP Ticket $75*. A VIP ticket grants you priority seating, FREE drinks throughout the Intermission, and $15 in RDT Funny Money to bribe the judges. *all tickets will go up $5 on the day of the show.

The Key Players:

Judges

Doug Fabrizio & Alice Storm
The host of Radio West and his wife join the panel of judges for the first time. Hopefully Fabrizio's experience interviewing legends such as Madeline Albright and Desmond Tutu will prepare him well for the judging ranks of Charette!

Charles Lynn Frost
Known mostly for his alter ego, Sister Dottie S. Dixon, Frost joins the panel as his fabulous self. His many years on the stage (named Outstanding Performing Artist of 2011) give him the perfect expertise for the Charette audience.

Janet Gray
The local studio owner returns for her eighth year as our veteran panelist. Janet knows the ins and outs of Charette and isn't afraid to tell it like it is!

Sharee Lane
Representing the ballet side of things, Sharee has been a soloist with Ballet West and is currently on the faculty of the Modern Dance Department at the University of Utah and the Ballet West Conservatory.

Audience member
Returning this year! An audience member will have the opportunity to buy his/her seat on the judging panel.

Choreographers

Nathan Shaw
After six years on the RDT company and now serving as the first full time high school male dance teacher in Utah at Judge Memorial High School, Nathan has the experience of working with dancers of all ages. He is sure to please with his fantastic sense of humor and choreographic skills.

Peter Christie
After judging last year, the School Director for Ballet West Academy returns as a choreographer for the second time. He has seen the competition from all sides and is sure to put on a great show.

Monica Campbell
Currently an Associate Professor of Dance at Utah Valley University and former dancer for the Diavolo Dance Theatre in Los Angeles, Campbell has also performed and choreographed for the music video and fashion industry. She recently started her own company, Monica Campbell & Dancers. Her exciting style should bring some fresh ideas to the Charette stage!

Miss Margene
Miss Margene has owned and directed Miss Margene's Creative Classroom since 1976. Margene served on the West Valley City Arts Council from 1992 to 2006 and in 1992 she received the George Washington Gold Medal of Honor from the Freedoms Foundations at Valley Forge for her accomplishments with children. She and her husband sat on the judging panel last year and this year she's ready to conquer the choreographic side!

Efren Corado
A Guatemala native and guest dancer with RDT, Corado was recently awarded the second runner up prize a the Choreography Design Project in junction with the Utah Regional Ballet. He hopes to add "Iron Choreographer" to his list of impressive awards.

Silent Auction Items

This year audience members will have the opportunity to bid on some fabulous "collectibles" from RDT's circle of friends! Everything from paintings to knick-knacks - these one-of-a-kind items cannot be missed!

Check our website soon for a complete list of items and a break-down of how the Silent Auction will work.

Charette is RDT's signature event and annual fund-raiser. By supporting Charette, you support RDT's dedicated mission to build community through the creation, performance, perpetuation, and appreciation of modern dance.

RDT designs entertaining and educational dance performances, community activity and school residencies (K-12, colleges and universities) in order to provoke socially relevant dialogue, celebrate a sense of place, history, stories, concepts, music and visual arts that provide a rich legacy of content to be explored and enjoyed by future generations. RDT's focus in 2012 and 2013 continues our long-term commitment to dance preservation and a unique arts/environment project that uses the language of dance to empower youth and mobilize individuals to make a life long commitment to fitness and health.

Pictured: Dancers Nicholas Cendese, Aaron Wood and Nathan Shaw.