Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — At dress rehearsal, Utah's Repertory Dance Theatre dancers remember the past and look forward to the future as RDT celebrates its 50th anniversary.
RDT holds a unique place among American modern dance companies. The dancers literally preserve the history of the art form.
With this milestone production, the dancers are paying tribute to one of the greats, choreographer Jose Limon. His “Mazurkas” is accompanied by Vassily Primakov, an internationally known Chopin interpreter and silver medalist at the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition.
The second work, “Missa Brevis,” will be accompanied by the Salt Lake Vocal Artists, directed by Brady Allred, and Brian Mathias will play the organ alongside the choir on stage.
This company was created to re-create the works of the best.
It all began with a Rockefeller Foundation grant. Linda Smith was a founding member and still leads the company as its artistic director.
"In 1966, there were no modern dance companies in Utah and very few in the world,” said Smith. “So, a grant was given to the dance world in Utah. Eight young dancers were selected to be founding members and I was honored enough to be one of those. And 50 years later, we proved that that seed money and that wonderful idea was worthy of a continuation, and I think we've been successful."
RDT says it is the oldest and most successful repertory dance company in America, taking its work to audiences worldwide as well as into Utah schools.
"To have been able to spend so much of my adult life with RDT, it’s a way for me to learn about my art form,” said Nicholas Cendese, who has danced with RDT for nine seasons and is now its artistic associate. “And that’s what RDT does, we teach people about the history of modern dance. When I get to work with eighth-graders, I can teach them a dance from 1916 and I can teach them a dance from 2015. We can make connections and teach about the breadth of our art form, why it's important, where it comes from and how that particular student can use dance as a vehicle for their own expression.”
"I entered the company at a really magical time,” said Lauren Curley, an RDT dancer in her second season. “Just the outpouring of support from the community, from past dancers, the interest from new choreographers. It’s been an incredible experience."
"We have guided ourselves and made choices over the years and been true to our mission,” said Smith. “I am very proud of that — true to our mission."
RDT dancers said they are doing what they have always done: push the boundaries, as well as create a legacy for modern dance.
This weekend, Repertory Dance Theatre will perform "Revere," a piece from 1958 that speaks of a heroic spirit. Performances start Thursday and run through Saturday at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. Xoel Càrdenas is the Evening Content Manager at KSL.com. Xoel's professional resume includes Yahoo!, Fox Deportes, The Telegraph and Deseret News. Follow him on Twitter: @XoelCardenas.
