Repertory Dance Theatre
Repertory Dance Theatre is a fixture on the cultural landscape of the Lehigh Valley and its artistry directly contributes to the quality of life in the Lehigh Valley. RDT productions are for audiences of all ages and feature professional and pre-professional dancers. All of RDT’s performances and outreach programs are designed to entertain and educate, engage and delight Lehigh Valley audiences of all ages about the art of dance and encourage young people to learn about dance as a discipline, profession and avocation.
Founded by Dolly Haltzman in 1987 as a 501c3 nonprofit pre-professional dance company, RDT is now under the artistic direction of Jennifer Haltzman Tracy and Trinette Singleton. RDT provides dancers with high quality dance training and performance opportunities like the Nutcracker, a spring ballet, and numerous community based performances. In addition, RDT provides free dance training for At-Risk students and artist-in-residence programs for inner city schools, as well as conducts educational, outreach programs in collaboration with other arts’ organizations throughout the Lehigh Valley. Many RDT alumni have gone on to professional dance careers with major dance companies and/or have performed in Broadway productions. Others have continued their dance careers in colleges and universities and others have used the skills they obtained at RDT to choreograph and teach dance.
Mission Statement:
RDT’s mission is to encourage, identify, and train young people to get involved in the field of dance as a profession and/or avocation and to promote a community wide appreciation of the art of dance thereby building and educating future audiences.
RDT Company
The company is open to dancers from all studios. Auditions for dancers age 12 and up for its professional and pre-professional company and for dancers age 7 and up for its annual Nutcracker performances at Allentown Symphony Hall are held annually in September.
There is no fee to participate in RDT and qualified dancers (age 12 and up) receive company classes, master classes with guest faculty and choreographers and the opportunity to perform at various venues throughout the Lehigh Valley.
To assist with production costs, RDT does require dancers to make a minimal ticket purchase for performances, pay a small costume usage fee and to participate in fundraising activities.
Professional dancers are contracted on a per performance or lecture demonstration bases and also receive free dance classes and performance shoes.
Rehearsals and classes are held at the 3 studios of Dolly Haltzman Dance Academy.