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Vassar
Repertory Dance Theatre is a dance company in residence at Vassar
College. VRDT's three fold mission is
to give students of dance, opportunities to be in a choreographic
process and
perform works of faculty artists, create and perform works of their
own, and to
learn and perform works from the classical ballet and modern repertoire.
Admission to VRDT is by audition held at the
beginning of each academic year.
OVERVIEW:
Every Fall, students of dance at Vassar
have an opportunity to audition for VRDT. An average of 30
are selected to perform with the company for the school year.
While
these students may receive academic credit in a Repertory Dance Theatre
course, the commitment to rehearsals and performances always
exceeds
the time spent in the class room. However, the time given to VRDT
provides educational experiences and rewards in proportion to level of
commitment that is demanded. The VRDT repertoire reflects a
dedication
to the development of students as both dancers and choreographers. Each
year the company features works of both students and
faculty.
In addition, classic dance works from the modern, jazz and ballet
idioms
have been included in each year’s program. In the past these have
included dances by Paul Taylor, Jose Limon, Martha Graham, Doris
Humphrey, Lester Horton, Danny Buraczeski, George
Balanchine, Donald McKayle, Mark Morris, and William Forsythe.
VRDT also employs a student staff
which includes a publicity agent, technical director, costume designer,
and photographer, to name just some of the positions.
Opportunities
to develop skills and establish credentials in these areas are
available
to those students with interest and some prior experience.
PERFORMANCES
While process is a vital component
of any educational experience, VRDT also provides outlets throughout
the
academic year for students to perform. In the Fall semester there
are two weekends of “workshop” performances in which audiences are
invited
to see the choreographic process in formal showings of unfinished
dances.
These workshop showings also provide the dancers and student technical
staff with a chance to gain experience running a show and dancing
before
an audience. From these workshops about a dozen works are
selected
for a gala production off campus in the spring semester at the 1869
Bardavon
Opera House.
The 1869 Bardavon Opera House Gala,
in the spring semester, is a VRDT tradition which began in
1983.
The “Bardavon” is a spectacular 1000 seat opera house in the heart of
downtown
Poughkeepsie. The immense popularity of this event is reflected
in
the fact that the concert is continually sold out prior to opening
night.
Other
performance opportunities
in the spring include a short concert for All Parents Weekend,
several
lecture/demonstrations at area primary and secondary schools, and
various
showcases in regional dance festivals. In the past this has
included performances in New York City.
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