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| Dayton Contemporary Dance Company | |
|---|---|
| Name | Dayton Contemporary Dance Company |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Founder | Josephine "Jo" Weaver? (see Artistic Direction and Founders) |
| Location | Dayton, Ohio, United States |
| Genre | Modern dance, Contemporary dance |
| Website | official site |
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company is a modern and contemporary dance ensemble based in Dayton, Ohio. The company presents repertory that spans African diasporic traditions, modern dance legacies, and contemporary choreography while maintaining a civic role in arts education and cultural outreach. It operates touring seasons, training programs, and commissioning initiatives that connect local, national, and international dance communities.
The company's origin traces to the late 1960s cultural milieu influenced by the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr., and arts activism in Midwestern cities such as Cincinnati, Columbus, Ohio, and Cleveland. Early development intersected with national trends shaped by figures like Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey, Paul Taylor (choreographer), Merce Cunningham, and institutions including Jacob's Pillow, The Juilliard School, and The American Dance Festival. During the 1970s and 1980s the company navigated funding landscapes involving the National Endowment for the Arts, state arts councils, and foundations such as the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts and regional philanthropies. Partnerships with venues like the Kennedy Center, New York City Center, and festivals such as the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival expanded its profile. Touring, critical reviews in outlets like The New York Times and collaborations with guest artists from companies such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Paul Taylor Dance Company shaped its repertoire and national presence.
Founding artists and early directors drew inspiration from choreographers including Alvin Ailey, Katherine Dunham, Pearl Primus, Isadora Duncan, and pedagogues from Hampton University and Howard University. Leadership transitions involved figures connected to conservatories like The Juilliard School, Ohio State University, University of Dayton, and dance programs at Wright State University. Guest artistic directors and resident choreographers have included alumni of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, members of Ballet Hispánico, and innovators from European companies such as Rambert Dance Company and Batsheva Dance Company. Influential administrators and board members have maintained links to cultural institutions like the Dayton Art Institute, Victoria Theatre Association, and municipal arts commissions.
The company’s repertory incorporates works by choreographers linked to movements represented by Alvin Ailey, José Limón, Graham Technique, and contemporary creators associated with Merce Cunningham and Pina Bausch. Commissions have been awarded to choreographers who also worked with The Martha Graham Dance Company, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Mark Morris Dance Group, and independent artists connected to festivals such as Jacob's Pillow and Spoleto Festival USA. Repertory seasons have featured premieres alongside canonical works by artists from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Urban Bush Women, Pilobolus, and collaborations with musicians from institutions like the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and ensembles rooted in African diasporic music traditions such as those associated with Nuyorican Poets Cafe events.
Education initiatives engage students from institutions including Wright State University, University of Dayton, Central State University, and regional school districts in Montgomery County, Ohio. Programs include pre-professional training modeled on curricula from The Juilliard School, summer intensives similar to offerings at Jacob's Pillow, and community workshops drawing on methodologies from Katherine Dunham, Alvin Ailey, and contemporary conservatories. Partnerships extend to arts education organizations like Young Audiences, nonprofit cultural groups, and municipal youth programs. Scholarships and apprenticeships have connected trainees to internships at touring houses such as New York City Center and residencies at centers like DANCECleveland and regional performing arts centers.
Touring schedules have placed the company on stages ranging from regional theaters in Ohio to national venues including the Kennedy Center, New York City Center, and international festivals in Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. Residencies have been hosted at academic institutions including Wright State University, University of Dayton, Oberlin College, and arts centers like Jacob's Pillow and The Yard (arts venue). Community engagement has involved collaborations with social service organizations, civic leadership programs, and municipal cultural initiatives reminiscent of partnerships between other arts organizations and entities such as AmeriCorps and state arts agencies. Outreach has featured performances in nontraditional spaces and co-productions with ensembles from Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Louisville, Kentucky.
The company and its artists have received honors comparable to awards conferred by institutions like the Kennedy Center Honors, the National Endowment for the Arts, state arts awards, and dance-specific recognitions from organizations such as Dance Magazine, The Bessie Awards, and regional cultural trusts. Grants and fellowships have paralleled support from foundations like the Ford Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and awards associated with festivals such as Jacob's Pillow. Local commendations have come from municipal proclamations, arts council citations, and civic awards akin to those given by the Dayton Metro Library and local chambers of commerce.
Alumni have gone on to affiliations with major institutions including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ballet Hispanico, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Mark Morris Dance Group, and companies abroad like Rambert Dance Company and Batsheva Dance Company. Former members have assumed roles in higher education at The Juilliard School, Ohio State University, Wright State University, University of Dayton, and conservatories connected to American Ballet Theatre and San Francisco Ballet. Dancers and choreographers from the company have contributed to Broadway tours, film and television productions, and choreography for institutions such as New York City Ballet alumni projects and community arts organizations.
Category:Dance companies in the United States Category:Non-profit organizations based in Ohio