MAY 2018

This all-American contemporary dance troupe stepped outside its comfort zone, traveling to Kazakhstan and Russia for a true cultural exchange.

MAY 2018

This all-American contemporary dance troupe stepped outside its comfort zone, traveling to Kazakhstan and Russia for a true cultural exchange.

ABOUT THE RESIDENCY

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC), led by artistic director Debbie Blunden-Diggs, started their journey off with a wildly successful collaboration with traditional Kazakh dance company Kayzna Dance. Elsewhere in Kazakhstan, they played eager audience to an original performance by dance club members at the Umit Orphanage, as well as leading master classes with local dance students and companies. In Russia, the company performed original repertory on the Bolshoi and Yekaterinburg stages, as well as working with an all-ability dance company, “Drugiye” (Those Different) Inclusive Dance Theater.

ABOUT THE RESIDENCY

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC), led by artistic director Debbie Blunden-Diggs, started their journey off with a wildly successful collaboration with traditional Kazakh dance company Kayzna Dance. Elsewhere in Kazakhstan, they played eager audience to an original performance by dance club members at the Umit Orphanage, as well as leading master classes with local dance students and companies. In Russia, the company performed original repertory on the Bolshoi and Yekaterinburg stages, as well as working with an all-ability dance company, “Drugiye” (Those Different) Inclusive Dance Theater.

FROM THE TRAVEL BLOG

“The love and passion that each dancer has for the art transcended all the barriers that could have led to miscommunication. It allowed us to be open to each other’s creative processes out of adoration and respect for the art. ”

—Countess V. Winfrey on collaborating with Kazyna Dance Company in Shymkent, Kazakhstan

FROM THE TRAVEL BLOG

“The love and passion that each dancer has for the art transcended all the barriers that could have led to miscommunication. It allowed us to be open to each other’s creative processes out of adoration and respect for the art.”

—Countess V. Winfrey on collaborating with Kazyna Dance Company in Shymkent, Kazakhstan

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) was founded in 1968 to create performance opportunities for dancers of color.

Nearly 50 years later, it remains rooted in the African American experience, committed to the development of diverse movement artists on the global stage. A co-recipient of one of the dance world’s highest honors, the 2016 Bessie Award for Outstanding Revival, DCDC has been supported by American Dance Festival, Paul Taylor American Modern Dance, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, National Endowment for the Arts and New England Foundation for the Arts among others. The culturally diverse company is dedicated to exceptional performance and quality community engagement. DCDC has toured the world, dancing onstage for packed houses in Bermuda, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, Poland, Russia and South Korea.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) was founded in 1968 to create performance opportunities for dancers of color.

Nearly 50 years later, it remains rooted in the African American experience, committed to the development of diverse movement artists on the global stage. A co-recipient of one of the dance world’s highest honors, the 2016 Bessie Award for Outstanding Revival, DCDC has been supported by American Dance Festival, Paul Taylor American Modern Dance, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, National Endowment for the Arts and New England Foundation for the Arts among others. The culturally diverse company is dedicated to exceptional performance and quality community engagement. DCDC has toured the world, dancing onstage for packed houses in Bermuda, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, Poland, Russia and South Korea.