Sun Country Dance Theatre (SCDT) is the resident non-profit, ballet-based, pre-professional performing company of Dance Sun Country. Since its founding in 2008, SCDT has endeavored to develop and nurture the artistic talent of our youth by providing performance opportunities for the talented young dancers of our community. Through the discipline of rehearsals and the joy of performance, dancers learn important life lessons while taking their dance skills to the next level.
Open auditions for dancers are held in August of each year. Company dancers have the opportunity to participate in numerous performances throughout our community annually, including performances at numerous arts festivals, community and charitable events, area nursing and retirement homes and local public schools.
SCDT’s educational outreach program, “Reach Out and Dance” (R.O.A.D.), incorporates several programs, including “Dance Talks”, offering dance education to hundreds of Title I elementary school students each year, “Head Start Dance Day”, an interactive dance workshop and performance for Alachua County Head Start students, and “R.O.A.D. Summer”, which hosts a week-long dance camp for head start children through a collaboration with Head Start and Fearnside Family Services.
The company’s formal productions include a fully staged spring concert as the culmination of each Season. Since the 2013 season, the company has created and produced three original story ballets, including “Little Red Riding Hood”, “Hansel & Gretel”, and “Alice’s Adventures”. SCDT also provides opportunities for our dancers to work with Guest Choreographers from around the U.S. and has commissioned numerous original works of choreography in highly diverse styles of dance, including classical ballet, modern, lyrical, musical theatre, jazz, tap and hip-hop. In 2015, SCDT was invited to appear as Guest Artists at the “Merging Forces” Dance Concert in Houston, Texas. SCDT has also been accepted and invited to perform as Guests Artists in numerous other productions, including the Florida Dance Association Showcase Performance, Spotlight on Youth and the Showcase Performance at the Pensacola State College Summer Workshop.
SCDT believes students should dream big – and that all children deserve high quality arts-in-education experiences that support their academic, social, emotional and creative development. SCDT strives to spread the joy of dance to as many children, teens, and adults as possible to inspire, educate and entertain.
SCDT programs are funded in part by the City of Gainesville, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department.