New England Dance Theatre (NEDT)
Mission
The New England Dance Theater’s mission is to engage in our community to increase access and awareness of dance and to foster a lifelong interest in the arts regardless of one’s age or ability to pay. We accomplish this goal through our funding of high-quality dance productions, community outreach programming and dancer enrichment opportunities.
High Quality Productions
The Nutcracker and Spring Performances are examples of the high-quality dance productions that offer audiences and our students a near-Broadway experience. Our Nutcracker is the ONLY regional ballet to be performed with a live, professional orchestra. The total cost of top-tier instructors, sets, costumes, guest artists, venue, live orchestra, tech, lighting and sound staff, as well as print materials is not covered exclusively by ticket sales. Therefore, we embark on a series of annual funding events and solicit generous community donors and grants that are essential to bridging the gap in funds.
Dancer Enrichment
NEDT believes in enriching the whole dancer, not just their technique. Our Dancer Enrichment opportunities enhance the instruction dancers receive from New England Academy of Dance to provide a more robust learning experience outside the studio class time. We raise funds to hire professionals to teach Master Classes who expose the dancers to their insight and varied techniques based on their professional training. We sponsor annual field trips for Company dancers each year in order to experience professional dance performances in New York City to help foster inspiration both on and off the stage. Educational workshops are provided to the students to foster positive mental and physical health. We provide leadership, teaching, community service and mentoring opportunities for our students.
Community Outreach and Engagement
We believe that everyone, regardless of age or financial status, should have the ability to participate, see and enjoy live dance. NEDT supports the following Community Outreach and Community Engagement activities:
STAR adaptive dance classes
Carver Center summer dance program
Benefit tickets and livestream links for Nutcracker shows
Dance demonstrations at Waveny Care Center, New Canaan Inn, Atria, Stamford Hospital and many others
NC Chamber of Commerce Holiday Stroll
NC Chamber of Commerce Halloween Parade
Mason’s Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast
Fairfield Summer Dance Festival
Norwalk Symphony Orchestra performances
Donate to NEDT
New England Dance Theater relies on community support to maintain high level performances, community outreach programs, and dancer enrichment activities.
Please make your tax deductible donation here via PayPal.
It is with deep appreciation and gratitude that NEDT thanks its generous grant partners, event sponsors, and many donors for the support of its productions and programs. Like you, we believe in the arts, and all that we create and inspire for communities and generations to come.
NEDT Board of Directors 2023-2024
Jennifer Kurtz, Board Chair
Frances Ortiz, Artistic Director
Ginna Ortiz, Artistic Director
Ted Thomas, Artistic Director
Cris Carofano
Jeanne Collins
Elizabeth DeMuth
Jen Gallagher
Emily Konrad
Zibby Perkins
Jen Gallagher
Anne Briggs
Jonathan Paterson
