Festival Host

About the Host Company...South Dayton Dance Theatre

In 1986, Elizabeth Karns dreamed of creating an innovative dance company to foster and showcase the talents of young performers. In 1989, Gigi Gardner became the company's Artistic Director; by 1993 the company had become a 501 (c)(3), non-profit corporation known as the South Dayton Dance Theatre. Today, there are 39 members in the Company.

South Dayton Dance Theatre is a member of the Northeast Regional Dance America (NE/RDA), an organization that promotes the artistic development of dance companies throughout the United States. They were promoted to Honors Company status in 2003.

Every year the South Dayton Dance Theatre presents both a Spring Concert and The Nutcracker Ballet. The Nutcracker Ballet differs slightly from the Spring Concert in that The Nutcracker Ballet is performed using students from the South Dayton School of Dance in supporting roles. Students as young as 6 years of age are encouraged to participate, giving them their first real opportunity of performing in a professional environment.

Members of the South Dayton Dance Theatre are in rehearsal from late August until mid-June. Many members can average as many as 15-25 hours per week in rehearsal, taking classes, demonstrating and teaching in other classes. This hard work and dedication has paid off richly, as SDDT members have won many prestigious awards and scholarships at the local, regional, state, and national levels.

We appreciate your participation in this year's festival and welcome you!