originally published: 07/24/2015
(SUMMIT, NJ) -- This fall, Artistic Director Nancy Turano’s vision for the New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble (NJDTE) as the pre-eminent youth dance company in the region will be realized. Now in its 46th year, the Ensemble opens the doors to its brand new, state-of-the-art facility in downtown Summit, NJ with an expanded schedule of classes and performances for the 2015-16 season.
“This is an exciting time for NJDTE and a natural result of over 45 years of sustaining the highest standard of pre-professional programming and repertoire,” Turano said.
With its new home, NJDTE now offers a full weekly schedule of classes in ballet, modern, pointe and contemporary techniques with renowned faculty, including Elizabeth Koeppen, the former Associate Artistic Director of Parsons Dance, and Belinda McGuire, who was a past member of the Jose Limón Dance Company. A new Artist-in-Residence (AiR®) program will provide rehearsal space for up-and-coming contemporary choreographers, beginning with Shannon Gillen and her new company V/M V/GOR, based in New York City. In exchange, Gillen will teach master classes and create a new work for NJDTE’s Ensemble Company that will premiere in April 2016.
As Turano explains, “our new space gives us the opportunity to nurture young dancers on a daily basis, providing them with even greater access to mentorship from master teachers and choreographers to help them grow into versatile artists.”
Koeppen, who is stepping into a new role as a full-time faculty member, adds, “after almost 20 years as a guest artist with NJDTE, it is a huge honor to now be an official part of such an extremely important initiative in dance education in New Jersey, and to be able to share my knowledge with these eager, extraordinarily talented young dancers.”
In addition to moving to Summit, NJDTE will also move its full-length production of “The Nutcracker” to a new venue, the Memorial Auditorium at Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ, for three performances on December 12 & 13, 2015. “i Balli di Primavera” a mixed bill of ballet and modern repertory works, will also be presented there on April 16, 2016. Other 2015-16 performance highlights include the second annual “Dance on the Lawn” festival in Montclair, NJ on September 12, 2015, and a Dancers Responding to AIDS performance at SUNY Purchase College in Purchase, NY in the spring. In July 2015, NJDTE presented a site-specific premiere at Reeves-Reed Arboretum that is intended to expand into an outdoor dance festival for 2016.
NJDTE has transformed an 8,800-square-foot warehouse space into a welcoming home for talented young dancers to pursue their dreams of a professional career in dance. Designed by architect Christopher Welsh, the new facility features 4,700 square feet of dance space, including four spacious, high-ceilinged studios, as well as a media and archive library, dressing rooms, executive offices, and a storage area for costumes, props and scenery. The reception area includes a retail component where students can purchase specialized NJDTE dancewear. The space also has a 6,000-square-foot outdoor garden adjacent to an indoor multi-purpose room/lounge area.
ABOUT NJDTE:
New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble celebrates over 45 years of excellence as a pre-professional training school and performing company. Since its inception in 1969, NJDTE has maintained a successful dance curriculum with an unparalleled outcome of artistic excellence. The Ensemble provides mentorship programs and access to master artists and choreographers as role models, providing a network for the dancers to succeed as performing artists in higher education and as professionals in the field. An esteemed advisory panel of the country’s most inspired dance artists supports the Ensemble. Throughout the year, a full schedule of classes in ballet, modern, pointe and contemporary dance for dancers ages 7-18 are taught by faculty from prominent companies and schools, including the Paris Opera Ballet, Limón Dance Company, Twyla Tharp, Lar Lubovitch and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, among others. NJDTE’s MIP & Pre-MIP programming offers advanced contemporary and improvisational skills in New York City for dancers ages 17-22. The Ensemble presents a full-length production of “The Nutcracker” at Montclair State University, annually premieres new works by emerging artists-in-residence, and maintains a diverse repertory by renowned choreographers. The company also offers continuing support for its alumni with employment opportunities as NJDTE staff members and guest artists.
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