RDT Sets 51st Season of Modern Dance

Repertory Dance Theatre is the nation's oldest and most successful repertory Dance Company. After more than 50 years of pushing the boundaries of modern dance while preserving its legacy, RDT is preparing for yet another revolutionary season of modern dance.

RDT prides itself in presenting audiences with a diverse range of modern dance styles and choreographers paired together in dynamic and unexpected performances, and this year is no different. After celebrating its 50th anniversary last season, RDT moves forward into the next half century with world premieres and cutting-edge contemporary choreography, while revisiting some of its favorite choreographers.

RDT's 51st season will open with ÉLAN, September 29-October 1, 2016. ÉLAN breaks ground with flair and style as RDT once again explores Gaga...a revolutionary new movement language invented by Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin. Gaga demands physical rigor that pushes the body to its extremes while connecting effort with pure pleasure.

The concert features a world premiere by Israeli artist Danielle Agami, director of Ate9 Dance Company based in Los Angeles. Recently named one of Dance Magazine's "Top 25 to Watch," Agami exposes our imperfections by turning awkwardness into something beautiful. This world-premiere is paired with a re-staging of another work from the Gaga discipline, Noa Zuk's, "By the Snake" (2013).

ÉLAN also includes a world-premiere by the winner of RDT's 2016 REGALIA choreographic competition. RDT has commissioned RDT alumnus Andy Noble to create a work that combines dance and technology. Using movement and media as an avenue to present audiences with a fresh and both vision, Noble is emerging as one of the country's most innovative new voices.

Finally, RDT will join with over 150 young musicians from Utah Youth Orchestras and Ensembles to perform "Handsfree," a daring work created by two innovative artists from the UK. Contemporary composer Anna Meredith in collaboration with choreographer David Ogle have designed an event that involves a huge ensemble creating rhythms by clapping, stamping, singing and beatboxing. Check out a video from the Salt Lake Tribune here.

In November, RDT will celebrate its longstanding relationship with the Joanie Smith and Danial Shapiro. Since the mid 1980s RDT has collaborated with the Shapiro & Smith Dance Company by presenting their witty and energetic dances inspired by the spirit of friendly competition, ownership and territory, as well as classic children's games and nursery rhymes.

BRIO, November 17-19, will stage and evening of choreography entirely by Shapiro and Smith, including crowd favorites like "Bolero" and "Dance With Two Army Blankets," as well as "Turf," "Jack," and RDT's latest acquisition, "Pat-A-Cake." This pre-holiday, family-friendly show is filled with humor and athleticism that will have audiences gasping for breath watching unexpected and thrilling moments on The Edge of chaos.

RDT has always had a commitment to train dancers to be versatile teachers and choreographers. January 6-7, RDT will present EMERGE, a full concert of choreography by the RDT dancers. Season subscribers can add on a ticket to EMERGE to their season ticket package for just $12.

In February of 2017, you can help RDT commission a new work. Audiences who loved RDT's annual fundraiser, Charette, are now hooked on REGALIA. A process, a performance, and a party, REGALIA assembles four choreographers competing for a commission the following season. Artistic teams will have only 4 hours to complete a brand new work. Audience members will watch the creative process and final performance, then vote with their wallet for their favorite choreographer. The fundraiser features two pricing options, either with or without dinner. Everyone is invited up on stage after the performance for dancing and dessert with a LIVE BAND.

The closing show of RDT's 51st season is DABKE, an evening-length work by celebrated NYC-based choreographer Zvi Gotheiner. After offering a sample of Gotheiner's powerful work, "Dabke" on its 50th anniversary season, RDT will deliver the evening-length work in its entirety in DABKE, April 6-8, 2017.

Arabic for "stomping the ground," dabkeh is the national dance of Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Palestine while Israelis have their own version. Gotheiner's "Dabke" uses the power of dance to highlight tribal and national identities as well as to dissolve those definitions. By blending Middle Eastern folk dance, Arab pop music and contemporary dance vocabulary, the piece evokes notions of universality. In 2012, "Dabke" was recognized by the New York Times as one of critic Alastair Macaulay's "Top Ten Dances" of the season.

After a wonderful and celebratory 50th anniversary season, RDT is excited to move into the next half-century as a part of Salt Lake City's "second-act" of growing creatives industries and a flourishing downtown.

RDT's 2016-2017 SEASON: REVOLUTIONARY

ÉLAN

September 29 - October 1, 2016
Jeanne Wagner Theatre

World-premiere commission by Danielle Agami

World- premiere commission by Andy Noble

"By The Snake" by Noa Zuk & Ohad Fishof

"Handsfree" by Anna Meredith with students from the Utah Youth Orchestras and Ensembles.

BRIO

November 17-19, 2016
Jeanne Wagner Theatre

Choreography by Shapiro & Smith, including:

"Bolero" (Joanie Smith)

"Dance with Two Army Blankets"

"Turf"

"Jack" (Joanie Smith)

"Pat-A-Cake" (Utah premiere by Joanie Smith)

EMERGE

January 6-7, 2017
Leona Wagner Black Box Theatre

Featuring choreography solely by the RDT dancers.

REGALIA

February 11, 2017
Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center

Returning for the second year, REGALIA features record-breaking choreography with the opportunity for you to award a commission. The evening will finish with a live band and dancing for all on stage.

DABKE

April 6-8, 2017
Jeanne Wagner Theatre

An evening-length work, "DABKE" by Zvi Gotheiner.

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