RDT's Season Of MANIFEST DIVERSITY Closes With Program Of History And World-Premieres

By: Mar. 07, 2019
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RDT's Season Of MANIFEST DIVERSITY Closes With Program Of History And World-Premieres

The nation's oldest and most successful modern dance repertory company closes their 53rd season of dance in Salt Lake City with a celebration of community in VOICES, April 11-13, 2019 at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center.

VOICES is the finale of the Company's season-long initiative of MANIFEST DIVERSITY, an initiative to illuminate the convergence of different cultures and peoples that have made modern dance a rich tapestry of the American experience. Featuring five choreographers, VOICES highlights each choreographer's distinctive movement language to examine how we communicate, organize, and socialize, voice our opinions and solve our problems. In addition, the concert highlights each aspect of the Company's mission: the creation, preservation, perpetuation, and appreciation of modern dance.


PRESERVING MODERN DANCE

RDT strives to keep historical works alive by performing works of modern dance's pioneers. VOICES brings to the stage the masterpiece by Doris Humphrey, Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor. It has been called a masterpiece of architectural splendor with images of solidarity, spirituality, acquiescence and assertion. Choreographed in 1938 on the eve of World War II, the dance was inspired by the need for love, tolerance, and nobility. Featuring 18 dancers on stage, RDT will perform Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor along with ten guest dancers from Utah Valley University.


CREATING MODERN DANCE

RDT is dedicated to commissioning new work and 60% of RDT's "living library" is contemporary commissions. VOICES features two world-premieres -- one by an established and world-renowned artist, the other by an up-and-coming choreographer.

RDT is proud to present a world premiere by Bebe Miller, whose vision of dance and performance resides in her faith in the moving body as a record of thought, experience, and beauty.

Her new commission is an exploration into the relationships between people, and the differences among them. In speaking about her piece, Miller says "As a choreographer, I want to communicate who we are together as humans...my job is to redirect the dancer's stories. My choreography shapes the interactions of the dancers."

New York City's Bryn Cohn, RDT's Regalia choreographic competition winner in 2018, will premiere I Give Myself, inspired by Robert Longo's acclaimed photography collection Men in the Cities. The work explores tensions and triumphs of how we relate amidst the complexity of our man-made world.


PERPETUATING MODERN DANCE

RDT strives to keep modern dance alive by performing both works new and old from our "living library."

The return of RDT's commission Theatre (2016) by the Gaga-inspired Israeli choreographer Danielle Agami reminds us that dance is an amazing movement language capable of challenging our daily routine and awakening our senses.

BUILDING COMMUNITY

The final pillar of RDT's mission has always been building community. For the final concert of the season, RDT will bring together dance teachers and dancers from our community to explore community voices. RDT Artistic Associate and Interim Development Director Nicholas Cendese will work with dancers to collaborate and give community dancers an outlet to perform.

Throughout the past season, RDT has been proud to celebrate MANIFEST DIVERSITY through our commissions, workshops, children's series, and more. VOICES will close the season as we look forward to future seasons in this ever-expanding and diverse state.

TICKETS: www.arttix.org. $30 tickets, $15 for students & seniors



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