Whidbey Island Dance Theater

Mission Statement:

Whidbey Island Dance Theatre is a 501 C (3) non-profit corporation that seeks to be a significant cultural resource for the Whidbey Island community and its visitors while providing dancers the opportunity for personal growth and achievement by adhering to the highest standards of artistic training and choreography.

Goal Statement:

To seek funding through grant writing and other means to sustain current programs and increase opportunities for Whidbey Dance Theatre.

To maintain a company of dancers capable of sustaining a level of technical and artistic standards required for inclusion in the Regional Dance America/ Pacific and to annually attend the Regional Dance America/ Pacific Festival.

To adhere to the highest possible technical and artistic standards for all dance productions presented in Whidbey Island Dance Theatre's name.

To develop and produce lecture-demonstrations, workshops, and touring programs including the public and private school systems of Island County or other venues.

To seek objective criticism and expertise from within the greater dance community in order to broaden our artistic and organizational horizons.

To communicate and cooperate with other dance companies of similar size and concept.

To present two productions annually.

To develop a repertoire of high caliber dances or ballets through the commission of choreographers, composers, costumes, sets, props, special effects and qualified technicians to present all aspects of the work.

To encourage and increase Whidbey Dance Theatre membership, community participation and patronage.

History:

Whidbey Island Dance Theatre was founded in 1993 to promote dance as a significant cultural resource for the Whidbey Island community and to provide pre-professional experience for young elite dancers. Whidbey Island Dance Theatre could not continue it's mission without the stellar support of our membership. With the help of this support, Whidbey Island audiences can look forward to magical holiday entertainment and diverse offerings in dance throughout the year.

Whidbey Island Dance Theatre presents two major productions each year. Our largest production, The Nutcracker has enjoyed 14 highly successful seasons. In spring, our Choreography Showcase highlights the diverse talents of our broadly trained dancers and features the works of both resident and guest choreographers. Guest choreographers in recent years include Daniel Wilkins, Laurentia Barbu, Leigh-Ann Cohen, Vera Altunina, Scott Heinzerling and Andrea Binder. In 2004, Sharon Tyers, formerly of the Martha Graham Dance Company, set the first master work on Whidbey Island Dance Theatre. Martha Graham's Appalachian Spring.

Co-Artistic Director Charlene Brown began her dance studios, Island Dance, on Whidbey Island in 1987. The daughter of a dance educator, Char's whole life has been committed to offering the highest level of dance education and professional instructors to students. Extending this commitment to the art of choreography led to the formation of Whidbey Island Dance Theatre in 1993.

Co- Artistic Director Susan Campbell Sandri has danced and choreographed for ballet, modern, jazz, ballroom, tap and musical theatre companies, and for stage, television, video and film. Her most influential teachers were Bella Lewitzky & Tim Wengard (modern), Sally Streets & Stanley Holden studios (ballet) and Carol and Ron Montez (ballroom). Dr. Sandri holds a PhD in Dance Medicine and an MA in Dance Education. She began working with Whidbey Island Dance Theatre in 2000.