RDT To Perform Special Matinee For Close To 2,000 Students Celebrating Dance History & Culture

Repertory Dance Theatre, a revolutionary institution of modern dance, has incorporated arts-in-education into it's programming since its founding in 1966. For the second year in a row, RDT is presenting a unique show designed specifically for grades 3-6 that celebrates diversity and the immigrant experience through the history and culture of dance. On April 3-4, 2018, RDT will invite students from across the valley to the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center to experience this multi-media, narrated show.

The show, VOYAGE, takes the audience through the history of dance over time from the perspective of various cultures and nations. Using a video presentation throughout, the program moves from traditional African dancing, classical Indian dancing, as well a Japanese modern dance. In addition to demonstrating some classical forms of cultural dance, the dancers use the company's modern dance repertory to demonstrate how those styles influence the various styles of American modern dance. The result is a celebration of cultures from around the world and a demonstration of how all of those traditions live on in the American idiom of modern dance.

In addition to the four shows being performed at the Rose Wagner, the company will also perform a special show at Northwest Middle School, possibly the most diverse school in the state, on April 6 where area schools will be invited to attend.

This multi-media concert also aligns with the Utah State Board of Education's initiative to emphasize diversity. VOYAGE aligns with these new Fine Arts Core Standards in an effort to celebrate diversity, culture, tradition and movement.

American Modern Dance is a rich tapestry which has been influenced by the music and movement of cultures worldwide. Dance has been part of community life as a form of communication, empowerment, and entertainment for centuries. Rhythms and patterns gathered from Africa, Asia, Middle East, Europe, and the Americas will connect the past with the present to illustrate how dance can document history and culture and tell our collective story.

Repertory Dance Theatre serves close to 30,000 students and teachers every year with free arts-in-education programming thanks to funding from the Utah State Board of Education and the Professional Outreach Program in the Schools (POPS). These services include matinee performances for children at the Rose Wagner, as well as in-school movement classes, teacher workshops, in-depth residencies (including choreographic workshops) and lecture demonstrations in the schools.

To read more about RDT's extensive arts-in-education outreach visit www.rdtutah.org/aie.

About Repertory Dance Theatre

RDT is the nation's oldest and most successful repertory dance company. Unlike conventional modern dance organizations, we present you with a diverse range of modern dance styles and choreographers paired together in dynamic and unexpected performances.