FROM THE DIRECTORS

Dear Friends,

We would like to thank you for celebrating the ADF’s 76th season with us this summer. Over the course of the 2009 Festival, we explored Where Ballet and Modern Meet through performances, panel discussions, and many other activities. Festival-goers were treated to numerous firsts: world premieres, site-specific works, pre-performance talks, and a daily online video blog. Our 32nd season in Durham also included the ADF’s inaugural performances at the new Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) in the heart of downtown. The ADF remains one of the leading arts organizations in the United States. In 2009, we presented 30 works, 13 companies, eight world premieres, five professional company debuts, four reconstructed works, and a mini-festival of work by Israeli artists.

At the ADF School, 423 students and over 50 faculty and musicians observed, labored, and created in one of the world’s most fertile environments. Twenty-seven countries and 38 states were represented in the school, which encompasses a variety of educational paths, from the Hollins University/American Dance Festival MFA and BA/BFA programs, to the Post Baccalaureate program and Dance Professionals Workshop.

A jam-packed season including annual favorites such as ADF Community Day, Children’s Matinees, and new, expanded community creative movement workshops (now year round!) delighted and amazed. Opportunities such as Pre-Performance Talks, Post Performance Discussions, Panel Discussions, and Dancing for the Camera: International Festival of Video Dance enriched the ADF experience for Festival patrons.

Like most non-profits, the ADF is not immune to changes in the economic climate. In light of that fact, the ADF initiated collaborations and partnerships with over 100 small businesses in the Triangle area as a way to further connect with the community and also decrease overhead costs. In addition, special scholarship fundraising activities, including the 2009 Gala, enabled the ADF to provide financial aid to 46% of ADF School students. New in 2009, Festival patrons were able to create a subscription by purchasing four or more tickets and receive a savings of 30%! In celebration of our first performances at DPAC, we also offered a $20 ticket option at every DPAC evening performance.

Thank you for supporting our work and making this season a remarkable success. We look forward to seeing you at the Festival again in 2010.

Sincerely,

Charles L. Reinhart Director

Jodee Nimerichter Co-Director

This season was made possible through the generous support of the SHS Foundation.
Duke University is proud to sponsor the ADF in the new Durham Performing Arts Center.

ADF's MISSION Since 1934, the American Dance Festival has remained committed to serving the needs of dance, dancers, choreographers, and professionals in dance-related fields. As the needs of the field have grown over the years, the Festival’s programs have been altered and expanded to help accommodate these changes. Remaining true to the goals of its founding artists, the ADF’s programs are developed based on its mission to: ENCOURAGE and SUPPORT the creation and presentation of new modern dance work by both established and emerging choreographers PRESERVE our modern dance heritage through continued presentation of classic works, as well as through archival efforts BUILD wider national and international audiences for modern dance ENHANCE public understanding and appreciation of the art form and its cultural and historical significance PROVIDE a sound scientific and aesthetic base for professional education and training of young dancers and a forum for integrating and disseminating information on dance education

photos by Sara D. Davis