Kay Clark was one of the founding members of Repertory Dance Theatre.
As an impeccable dancer, teacher, choreographer, and director, Kay was instrumental in the development of RDT and was part of a “bold experiment” initiated by the Rockefeller Foundation that envisioned creating the first successful modern dance repertory company in the United States.
Born in Hollywood, Kay grew up in Pasadena, California, and attended The University of Utah where she graduated and received an MFA from the Modern Dance Department. Known for her strong technique, beautiful long blond hair, and stunning intellect, Kay was invited to join RDT in 1966 where she helped lead the company from an artistic democracy into a nationally renowned resource center for contemporary dancers, choreographers, visual artists, writers, and composers.
As the Co-Artistic Director of RDT from 1976-1983, Kay will be remembered for her dedication to dance, her strong work ethic, her organizational skills, and her artistry performing roles created by both historic and contemporary artists.
She performed work by Anna Sokolow, José Limón, John Butler, Glen Tetley, Lar Lubovitch..as well as, Isadora Duncan, Ruth St Denis, Helen Tamiris, and Doris Humphrey.
As a choreographer, Kay created over 50 works for RDT, Children’s Dance Theatre, RDT TOO, and companies throughout the nation.
In 1983, Kay moved to the Bay Area with her journalist husband, George Raine, where she became a faculty member at Mills College and was a guest artist at many California colleges and universities including Dominican College in San Rafael, UC Santa Cruz. She continued to serve on RDT’s National Advisory Board until her death on May 27, 2020.
Kay was RDT’s Artistic Princess…a beautiful and gifted artist and a friend who left a legacy that continues to inspire the RDT organization as well as the people who were fortunate to know her… and to love her… and to see her dance.