Florida Dance Theatre
www.floridadancetheatre.org

The passion of Florida Dance Theatre’s innovative choreography lives within the fresh, heartfelt approach to its unique movement style.  As a contemporary ballet and modern dance company, FDT captivates its audiences with skillfully crafted, thought provoking works.  The exceptional artistry of the company’s dancers amplifies a creative vision that expresses the human experience.  

Florida Dance Theatre’s embodies a fresh new movement style bridging contemporary ballet and modern dance that captivates audiences with skillfully crafted and thought provoking work. The strength and versatility of FDT’s classically trained dancers can be observed through its varied repertoire including annual performances of the classical Nutcracker to the Innovations Dance contemporary program where the dynamic dancers show off their technical brilliance and passion for movement.

The goal of FDT is to entertain and educate audiences of all ages and stimulate interest and awareness of this beautiful art form. The exciting new works created by Resident Choreographer Ferdinand De Jesus, Executive Artistic Director and Founder Carol Erkes, and the additional artistry of guest choreographers continues to build the company’s reputation for artistic excellence and diverse programming.

“We were taken with the abilities and enthusiasm of the whole company... And now they are sharing their artistic and athletic gifts with children…I am sure there will be some fine talents emerge from these new youngsters.  It is typical of people in the Arts that they wish to share their enjoyment in the beauty of it.  Let’s all give the Florida Dance Theatre the support that they deserve.”  - Mercedes M. Fox, Courtesy of the Lakeland Ledger

Touring Programs

FDT offers a variety of 90-minute full length programs that are designed to suit the presenters' requests. Additional educational programming, lecture demonstrations, master classes and workshops are also available.

Latin Passions
a performance with a Latin flair in both choreography and music. Includes: De Jesus’ riveting “Bolero “, “Abre” a modern piece based on Flamenco rhythms,” Tango Suite” the dance of passion, and the traditional Bomba et Plena.

Innovations Dance
a full program of inventive and original dance by a variety of choreographers.
An Evening of Dance featuring a variety of Florida Dance Theatre’s vast repertoire for a program of outstanding contemporary ballet and modern.

An Evening of Dance
featuring a variety of Florida Dance Theatre’s vast repertoire for a program of outstanding contemporary ballet and modern.

Nutcracker
the traditional holiday classic presented with the company of FDT along with children’s roles set on community dance students.
 
 

Educational Outreach

Master Classes 1 1/2 hours: Master Classes are taught by the directors of Florida Dance Theatre or company members are available in ballet, pointe, and modern dance for beginning through advanced level students.

Workshops: 1 1/2 to 3 hours (depending on age group and level of dance training) which include class and choreography.

Lecture Demonstrations: 1 to 1 1/2 hours including a question and answer period. These are available for all age groups. Each program is specifically designed and age appropriate and can be held in various places if a stage is not available.

The Joy of Dance : Music,  Movement,  &  Emotions 1-2 hours (K-5th)
Florida Dance Theatre presents a fully costumed lecture- demonstration, “The Joy of Dance,” that is specifically geared to K through 5th grade students.  It is a great introduction to dance and choreography! The program includes excerpts from FDT’s vast repertoire performed by the professional company while exposing the children to various musical genres.  Audience participation will physically engage the students and challenge them to try their own hand at choreography and musical interpretation. This program promises to show children how to use movement as a healthy emotional outlet and a means for self- expression.  It will also encourage the development of fine and gross motor skills by demonstrating one of the most effective types of exercise: dance.  

The Healing Tears 1- 1 1/2 hours (K-5th)
The Healing Tears is a short story that was written specifically for Florida Dance Theatre with the purpose of being a short ballet. It involves characters from nature (birds, animals, plant life, and humans alike) and relates the reasons why caring for our environment is so important. The performance is designed to be educational as well as entertaining with humorous characters, whimsical sets, and brightly colored costumes.  

Small workbooks are distributed to all students that contain puzzles, coloring pages, and quizzes that pertain to the lessons relayed from The Healing Tears.

Upcoming Performance