ALABAMA DANCE THEATRE
KATE SEALE SMITH, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
est. 1986
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The heart of Alabama Dance Theatre is our dancers; the soul of Alabama Dance Theatre is engaging our community. Your philanthropy enables ADT to elevate the understanding and appreciation of the arts through our various engagement programs.
The passion of our staff, faculty, and dancers is not limited to just these outstanding programs. We are actively discussing and researching new ways to engage our beloved River Region.
MOVE WITH ME
A collaboration between the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and The Alabama Dance Theatre.
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The jewels of MMFA’s collection are brought to life as selected works are enlivened in front of students using narrative dance movements and interpretive materials. This program targets Montgomery Public School Kindergartners and reaches approximately 3,600 students and visitors.
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"Move with Me" begins in the classroom with a visit from a Museum docent before the field trip and ends in the MMFA’s permanent galleries. The core of the program is movement, both implied in the artwork and performed in the dance, and Language Arts standards including critical thinking skills such as determining elements of story and completing a narrative.
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ADT and the MMFA believe the program offers students a unique experience by combining the physical movement of dance, perceived movement in art, and the language arts in a new and innovative way.
MPS ON THEIR TOES
Premiering in 2019, Alabama Dance Theatre introduced “MPS on Their Toes”. This program, made possible by a grant from the Kiwanis Club of Montgomery, filled the entire Davis Theatre with Montgomery Public School students for a special performance of “Mistletoe.”
Alabama Dance Theatre sponsored 1000 MPS third grade students free of charge, including theatre costs and bus transportation, with the goal of bringing arts education to students to enhance their learning. A grant from The Central Alabama Community Foundation will assist ADT in continuing this program into ADT’s 2020-2021 Season.
TICKET ENDOWMENT PROGRAM
Your support enables ADT each season to give area outreach organizations such as Brantwood Children’s Home and The Family Guidance Center 20 free tickets to each Major Production of ADT’s public performances-over 800 tickets each production earmarked for individuals who otherwise would not have access to a live performance.
*Ticket Endowment Program Groups Include:
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Archibald Center, Boys and Girls Clubs, Brantwood Children’s Home, Canaan Land Boys Home; Family Guidance Center, Family Sunshine Center, Father Walter Memorial Center, Mary Ellen’s Hearth, Montgomery Job Corps Center, Montgomery Music Project, Montgomery S.T.E.P. Foundation, Montgomery Therapeutic Recreation Center, Resurrection Catholic Mission; Salvation Army, That’s My Child
GIRL SCOUT BADGE PROGRAM
Your investment in Alabama Dance Theatre makes possible ADT’s investment in young lives through our Girl Scout Badge Program. Each Season, from ten to seventy-five Girl Scouts and Brownies are treated to a “behind the scenes” seminar on dance history, costumes and careers in dance and theatre.
As part of the program, Scouts have the opportunity to watch rehearsals, meet ADT company dancers, and hear from ADT choreographers, former dancers, and technical crew and are given reduced priced tickets to attend a full performance. Upon completion of the program, Scouts are rewarded with a badge designed especially for Alabama Dance Theatre by the National GSA.
DANCE SCHOLARSHIPS
ADT is proud to offer scholarships for talented student dancers. With your help, we can make it possible to offer both need-based and merit-based scholarships to our students in twenty one classes, including ballet, jazz, modern, tap, and hip hop.
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Through community outreach and partnerships with the City of Montgomery Parks and Recreation Department, our Education Committee team works to create community open house days when young people can experience a ballet class in a studio, and apply to take classes through scholarships.
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In the 2019-2020 Season alone, ADT awarded over $10,000 scholarship funds to assist students in need.
SCHOOL PERFORMANCES
Your contribution helps ADT enrich the lives of local school children each season through special School Performances.
Thousands of students are offered tickets at ¼ the usual ticket price and ADT sponsors more than 1000 additional students completely free of charge including bus transportation.
All participating teachers are provided a supplementary teacher booklet based on the Alabama Course of Study that meets the state’s requirements for Arts and Humanities in the curriculum, as well as the College and Career Readiness Standards. The booklet assists teachers and prepares students for their theatre experience.
HOMETOWN HEROES
In appreciation and honor Alabama Dance Theatre performs a full FREE performance each Season for all active duty and veteran Military, First Responders, Healthcare providers, and Educators along with their families.
A pre-performance party is held to host Military and First Responder VIP’s and our Sponsors, and to say “Thank You” for our military and first responders’ commitment to our community and our country.
This performance has grown in the 18 years that ADT has been gifting it and has become a tradition among both Military Personnel and local ADT Patrons.
"A Chance To Dance"
Community Open House
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Young people from age 8 to 19 from any dance experience level are invited to the Alabama Dance Theatre’s studios at the Armory Learning Arts Center to try a series of three classes, each an hour long, from 10am to 1:30pm. NEW IN 2023: Collaborating with the Cloverdale Playhouse! April 15 guest teachers Lance Washington will teach hip hop, Jess Washington will teach ballet, and Cloverdale Playhouse Artistic Director Sam Wootton will teach improv and theatre, assisted by CP improv teacher Bo Jinright.
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Classes will rotate by age group to take one class with each guest teacher; ADT faculty will be present to assist. A free t-shirt for the event will be given to each participant. Advance registration is required, but the day’s classes are free and open to any member of the community.
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Advanced registration is strongly suggested to secure a space. All participants will be placed according to age, and will be grouped Ages 8-11, 12-14, and 15-19 years. Class Attire should be clothing that allows freedom of movement with socks for footwear. Long hair should be secured. Jewelry and loose clothing should not be worn in class. Registration is FREE. Class sizes are limited and will be filled in the order that registration is received. Click here for more information.
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Community Day 2024 dates: June 29, September 7, Sponsors of 2024 Community Day events are the Alabama State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, Regions Bank, and the Caring Foundation of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama.
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Past Sponsors have been the Alabama State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, Regions Bank, and the Kiwanis Club of Montgomery Foundation. The series is a partnership with the City of Montgomery’s Department of Cultural Affairs and the Department of Parks and Recreation.
