(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The fourth annual Dance on the Lawn Dance Festival featuring NJ Dance companies Randy James’ 10 Hairy Legs, Donna Scro’s Freespace Dance, Maurice Chestnut’s Dance Therapy and *DOTL’s 2015 “Emerging Commissioned New Jersey Choreographer” Robert Mark Burke, will return on Saturday, September 9 to the front lawn of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Montclair, NJ, 3:00pm to 5:00pm, 73 South Fullerton Avenue, a free, public outdoor event.

New York companies include special choreography by Troy Powell (Artistic Director - Ailey II); Stephen Petronio Company and Project 44 Dance. In addition, Lauren Connolly – winner of DOTL's 2017 "Emerging Commissioned New Jersey Choreographer," will present a new work created specifically for Dance on the Lawn.

The New Jersey State Arts Council has given four awards this year to Dance on the Lawn artists: Nancy Turano, Artistic Director, NJ Dance Theatre Ensemble, DOTL artist since 2014; Kyle Marshall, DOTL 2016 "Emerging Commissioned New Jersey Choreographer" recipient; Lauren Connolly, DOTL 2017 "Emerging Commissioned New Jersey Choreographer" recipient; and Hillary-Marie, Choreographer/Director FutureSTEP Tap Company, who is participating in the Festival for the first time this year.

Dance on the Lawn was established by Montclair resident Charmaine Warren in 2014 to increase New Jersey’s exposure to dance by bringing professional and emerging companies, plus students of dance from around the state, together to perform in a community setting. In addition to offering presentation opportunities, Dance on the Lawn created an Emerging Commissioned New Jersey Choreographer and mentor program to help support young, emerging artists.

Charmaine Warren is winner of the Dance NJ’s JETÉ AWARD, in honor of founding the Dance on the Lawn Festival. Dance NJ is the service organization committed to advocating the excellence of dance and dance education in the state.

*The 2017 Dance on the Lawn line up:

NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS: FutureSTEP Tap Company - (Hillary-Marie /Choreographer/Director); Sharron Miller's Academy for the Performing Arts' (SMAPA) - (Sharron Miller/Director); DanceWorks & Co. (Kathy Costa/Director); New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble (NJDTE) - (Nancy Turano/Director)

LAUREN CONNOLLY - DANCE ON THE LAWN'S 2017 "EMERGING NEW JERSEY COMMISSIONED CHOREOGRAPHER"

NEW JERSEY COMPANIES: FreeSpace Dance (Donna Scro - Artistic Director/Montclair); "Dance Therapy" (Maurice Chestnut - Artistic Director/Newark);  10 Hairy Legs (Randy James - Artistic Director/Highland Park); Robert Mark Dance (Robert Mark Burke - Artistic Director/Hoboken). *Robert Mark Burke will present through the auspices of the Dance on the Lawn ongoing mentorship program.

NEW YORK COMPANIES:  Special choreography by Troy Powell (Artistic Director - Ailey II); PROJECT 44 DANCE (Gierre J. Godley/Director) & Stephen Petronio Company.

PHOTO: L – Lauren Connolly, DOTL 2017 Emerging Commissioned Choreographer; R – DOTL 2016