SALT LAKE CITY-- Repertory Dance Theatre is thrilled to announce the addition of four new dancers for the upcoming 2013-2014 season. As the oldest, and most successful company of its kind, Repertory Dance Theatre (RDT) opens its 48th season with four new and talented faces. Justin Bass, Efren Corado, Ursula Perry, and Alyssa Thompson join the ranks of RDT company members, as almost 90 dancers have before.
Executive/Artistic Director Linda C. Smith said, "These four individuals are not only beautiful dancers, but talented choreographers and teachers as well. They fit well in the RDT company and will assist us in furthering our mission of the creation, performance, perpetuation, and appreciation of modern dance. We are thrilled to have them on board."
Justin Bass
Justin Bass is from East Cleveland, Ohio and attended Kent State University and majored in Dance Education in 2009. In 2011 he transferred to SUNY Brockport and graduated this spring with his BFA in Dance where he studied with a former RDT alumnus, William (Bill) Evans. During his time at SUNY Brockport he was a touring and performing intern with Garth Fagan Dance, performing at renowned stages including The Joyce Theater. Justin is a versatile performer with a technical background in "Cecchetti ballet" and has studied a variety of modern dance techniques including those of Paul Taylor, May O’Donnell, Contemporary Modern Release, hip-hop and Jazz, (Fosse, Luigi and Broadway Jazz). He enjoys teaching and is interested in developing his choreographic skill.
Efren Corado
A native of Guatemala, Efren attended Chapman University, a private liberal arts college where he received his BFA in Dance. Efren was a founding company member of Bare Dance Company (artistic director Mike Esperanza) and danced with the company from 2005-2010. From 2006-2008 he was a member of Gallimaufry and Green Dance Company with artistic director Sean Green. Efren is recipient of numerous awards for his performance, choreography, and media work, in addition to grants for the development of creative dance projects in which he researched the role of the arts as a social service. Most recently, he was awarded the second runner up prize at the Choreography Design Project in conjunction with the Utah Regional Ballet for his piece "A Road to Remembrance." A Certified Laban Movement Analyst (CMLA), Efren was a guest dancer for RDT during the 2012-2013 season in Embark (October 2012) and Women of Valor...In the Spirit of Service(April 2013). He also competed as a choreographer in Charette 2013.
Ursula Perry
Ursula Perry was born in Houston, Texas where she began her training at the Houston Ballet Academy. Since then she has studied under various schools including those at the Boston Ballet, Joffery Ballet, Alvin Ailey, and the Edge Performing Arts Center. She then made the journey to Utah and attended the University of Utah's Ballet Department. Since graduation, she has performed with Bodiography Contemporary Ballet, Prism Dance Theatre, and River North. Since her return to Salt Lake she is proud to have performed with RawMoves, Movement Forum, and Influx Dance. Ursula also peformed as a guest dancer in RDT's April 2013 show, Women of Valor...In the Spirit of Service.
Alyssa Thompson
Alyssa Thompson is from Boca Raton, Florida where she began dancing at the age of 17. She began formally training in modern and ballet at New World School of the Arts and holds a BFA in dance from the University of Florida. While pursuing her degree, Alyssa performed works by Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, Peter London, and Josee Garant. Alyssa is excited to begin her first season with RDT.
These dancers join RDT after the departure of Toni Lugo, who after six seasons with RDT is moving on to pursue new dreams. In addition, Nicholas Cendese, who has danced for RDT for 11 years will be transitioning to an administrative role in the RDT office as Assistant Artistic Director.
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