Repertory Dance Theatre's 53rd season opens with a tribute to yesterday and today in SPIRIT, October 4-6. The concert features two historical works (including the modern dance classic, "Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder" by Donald McKayle) as well as two world-premieres. We will be featuring interviews with each of the choreographers as we lead up to the show. First up
The story is now iconic. It has the quality of an urban legend, but it is indubitably true. Repertory Dance Theatre's original home in the army barracks at the University of Utah was being demolished. RDT was homeless. Going here, going there . . . at one point "squatting" at the old Salt Palace. That they ended up in
Can you believe it's been 20 years since the Rose Wagner opened its doors? A Rose is a Rose. . . but there’s only one Rose Wagner, the arts complex of dance studios and small to mid-sized theaters in Salt Lake City, home of Repertory Dance Theatre. Affectionately known as “The Rose,” the brainchild of the Performing Arts Coalition formed
Always in our memory. Kathleen McClintock McCormick. We called her KJ. She was a dancer with Repertory Dance Theatre from 1967-1974, during the formative years. Her beautiful dancing and vivacious spirit, her dynamic energy and charisma helped put RDT on the national dance map. Whether she was performing the seductive movement of John Butler's The Initiate, or creating edgy drama in Richard
In this final video post, choreographer and former RDT dancer Francisco Gella talks about his inspiration for choreography, as well as offers advice to young choreographers about the creative process. Gella has been commission to create choreographic works for Repertory Dance Theatre, Ballet Pacifica, California Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet’s Shut-Up and Dance Production, PHILADANCO’s Danco on Danco program, Laguna Dance
Francisco Gella danced with RDT from 1996-1998. It was his first professional dancing job after graduating from the University of Washington. Later he went on to dance with Philadelphia Dance Company and, later, Ballet Pacifica and the California Ballet. In the video below, Gella talks about what it has been like to work on the other side of creation
What is the difference between loneliness and being alone? Choreographer Francisco Gella attempts to answer that question here, along with the need to embody on stage the human impulse to be alone while fearing loneliness. His effort, filled with virtuoso contemporary movement and an unusual stage prop, makes its first appearance in his new commission for Repertory Dance
Repertory Dance Theatre has always been a revolutionary dance company, ever since a group of Salt Lake City dancers beat out the big city stalwarts and were awarded a Rockefeller Foundation grant to establish the first repertory dance company in the nation. The same can be said of of its innovative approach to fundraising galas. Thirteen years ago, RDT dancer
By Linda C. Smith Artistic/Executive Director, RDT During TOP BILL (Nov. 16-18, 2017), Repertory Dance Theatre honors a dedicated RDT Board Trustee, a friend, and a beloved member of the dance community. Known for her dynamic energy, wry sense of humor and her dedication to the arts, Janet Muse Gray has created a legacy that has helped make Utah a
In this artistic statement, William "Bill" Evans talks about his upcoming concert at Repertory Dance Theatre (Nov. 16-18, 2017) TOP BILL, a retrospective of five decades of choreography. Evans, an RDT dancer alum, has regularly returned to Utah, where he is from, to create new work for RDT and to re-stage contemporary classics from his prodigious oeuvre. RDT's