Dancing their way back to Cache Valley
Repertory Dance Theatre (RDT), a professional Utah-based modern dance company, presented their newest show, “Elements,” at the Ellen Eccles Theatre in Logan in March..
Marketing director for the Cache Valley Center of the Arts Amanda Castillo said the company likes to highlight local talent and was founded in 1966 in Salt Lake City. She said they had been keeping their eye on RDT, and were pleased to have them return the Ellen Eccles Theatre once again. This show mainly centered around environmental awareness and enhancing the elements. As RDT celebrated 45 years as a company, the theme of preservation and sustainability was emphasized.
“It’s fantastic they have been around as long as they have and still bring creative modern works today,” Castillo said.
Castillo said RDT created their show to enhance all the natural elements and the relationship they have with each other as well as the role they play on our planet. “Elements” was all about environmental awareness and the concepts of sustainability and preservation.
The show also included a piece based on “green mapping” projects the dance company had been learning about from the Green Map Organization. Castillo said green maps help communities create an environmental portrait through icons representing hazards or benefits such as air pollution and solar energy.
She said RDT “danced the green map” from choreography that was inspired by these icons. Castillo said the piece was how RDT took these icons and made them more relevant to our environment. She also said it showed a new way to look at a community.
Repertory Dance Theatre also danced with local dance group Valley Dance Ensemble. Castillo said RDT strives to make a longer-lasting community impact everywhere they perform. One way they achieve this is by hosting workshops and giving lectures.
“They are really trying to get into schools to make a longer lasting impact from their visit,” Castillo said.
Along with the green map piece, Castillo said she is most excited for “Ghost Ship” and “The Lady of the Lake.” Castillo said all the pieces were created to enhance the elements and that by actually using substances such as water and rice, we are physically able to see a message.
Castillo used the piece “Ghost Ship” as an example for its message about food and awareness to a sense of place. Castillo said the dancers used 120 pounds of rice in this piece and recycle it for each show. As for water, the piece “The Lady of the Lake” called for actual water on stage to represent its crucial role and ancient origin in societies.
Castillo said the show brought in a fun mix of people. She said not only dance enthusiasts attended, but possibly those who are curious to see what the show was all about.
RDT also had a recent performance at Weber State University.
Weber State University student Julia Cannon attended this show and said, “RDT’s choreography is creative and very interesting to watch and the dancers have beautiful technique, but they are also very expressive. I really enjoy their performances.”
Former Utah State University student Bethany Linton said she has been to several RDT dance performances.
“Your first professional modern dance concert is going to be bizarre. But the more you come to understand the artistry and the radical newness it brought to the art of dance, you can’t help but love it! From Martha Graham to local programs, Modern Dance is an insanely cool expression of movement and passion,” she said.
– jessie.a.sweat@aggiemail.usu.edu