SPECTRUM DANCE THEATER
The history of Spectrum Dance Theater (SDT) begins in 1982 with the intention of bringing dance of the highest merit to a diverse audience composed of people from different social, cultural, ethnic, and economic backgrounds. SDT’s principal objective is to make the art form of dance accessible through contemporary dance performances and high-quality dance training in a variety of dance styles.
Under Donald Byrd’s visionary artistic leadership since 2002, the organization has undergone an exciting transformation that has attracted world-class dancers, produced some of the most avant-garde works in contemporary dance, and earned praise both locally and nationally. In addition to its main stage productions, SDT launched its first Studio Series in its own studio theater in February 2006, which was recently named the Tricia Stromberg Studio Theater.
Transparency
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Transparency ✳︎ communication ✳︎ care ✳︎
Three components comprise Spectrum Dance Theater: the professional Company, the School of Spectrum Dance Theater, and Community Engagement programs.
Company
Spectrum Dance Theater ignites audiences through the ambitious vision of renowned Artistic Director Donald Byrd, whose appetite to explore the intersection of storytelling, imagination, and performance knows no bounds. The SDT Company continues to challenge the way audiences grapple with the intersecting realities of environmental, racial, and economic inequities through performance.
School
The School of Spectrum Dance Theater’s primary focus is a reflection of the artistic standards set forth by Donald Byrd, exemplified by the motto “Dance for All.” The school ensures that dance instruction is accessible to all with the desire to explore the artform, from dance enthusiasts to aspiring professional dancers, regardless of body or perceived ability.
Community
The Spectrum Dance Theater’s mission to provide ‘Dance For All’ means reaching communities that have historically been underfunded, often resulting in a lack of arts-programs in schools or community centers. Spectrum Dance Theater centers the availability of dance and dance instruction for youth in a variety of its Community Engagement programs.
Mission
To produce and present contemporary dance of global caliber that challenges expectations and calls forth strong emotions, deep feelings, and thoughtful responses.
To provide expert dance instruction in diverse dance forms to all.
To educate the community about dance as an art form and as a social/civic instrument.
Core values
A contemporary dance aesthetic enables dance to convey socially relevant themes.
Support of creativity, the creative process, and innovation.
Exposure, education, and training in the performing arts can be a transforming experience for individuals and communities.
The arts – live performing arts in particular – are an essential element of healthy communities.
Promoting arts literacy improves arts accessibility.
Programming, education, and training that bridge cultures.
Vision
To move dance and the arts from the marginal and ancillary to a central position among community activities.
To make dance and the arts integral partners in civic dialogue, promoting healthy communities.
To have dance and the arts be considered part of the solution to the challenges facing our communities.
Our directors
Stephanie Guiland
School Director and Co-Executive Director
Open Company Class, Donald Byrd Contemporary, Intro to Contrmporary, Pre-Ballet, Creative Movement, and Friday Funk Jazz
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Stephanie Guiland (she/her), of N.Y.C., danced for Donald Byrd/ The Group, founding company of Complexions, the Broadway and Touring Company of Oprah Winfrey’s The Color Purple (Dance Captain, Swing, and Associate Choreographer), and Disney’s Broadway Company of The Lion King. In addition, she’s worked in videos and commercial dance with Lisa Stansfield, Monie Love, and Salt-n-Pepa, touring the USA and Europe with P.M. Dawn. She served as Mr. Byrd’s rehearsal director for DB/TG and his assistant on numerous projects for The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Equity Workshops for The Color Purple and White Noise. She’s taught for Dance Theater of Harlem’s Dancing Through Barriers program, Disney’s Lion King Cub School, W.R.Arts/ Director for the Young Performers Company, and in N.Y.C. private and public schools in the Arts and Education program. For ten years, she taught in N.Y.C. for Joffrey’s Jazz and Contemporary program, Bounce Summer Intensive, and as Adjunct Dance Professor at Long Island University in Brooklyn.
She is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer with numerous certifications. Aside from her most important project, raising a beautiful child, her passion project is her fitness company, Kick My Assets.
She joined The School of Spectrum Dance Theater as School Director in January 2021 and continues to strive for more connection with our Spectrum community beyond our walls and inclusivity within our B.I.P.O.C. communities.
Donald Byrd
Artistic Director and Co-Executive Director
Open Company Class, Donald Byrd Contemporary, Pre-Professional and Professional Byrd Workshop
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Donald Byrd has been the Artistic Director of Spectrum Dance Theater since December 2002. Formerly, he was Artistic Director of Donald Byrd/The Group, a critically acclaimed contemporary dance company, founded in Los Angeles and later based in New York, that toured both nationally and internationally. His career has been long and complex, and his choreographic and theatrical interests are broad. The New York Times describes him as “a choreographer with multiple personalities … an unabashed eclectic.” He is a Tony-nominated (The Color Purple) and Bessie Award-winning (The Minstrel Show) choreographer.
Read more about Donald Byrd as Spectrum Dance Theater’s Artistic Director here
Carol Borgmann
SuzAnne Duckworth
Jenny Hillock
Dale A. Merrill
Carol Thayer
our Founders
Board of directors
Gavin Reub, President & Treasurer
April Magen, Secretary
Michael Hebb
Joanna Lau
Linda Lowry|
Shawn Roberts
Michael Hebb, Tricia Stromberg, Board Member Emerita, Board Member since 2001 // Board President 2004-2011
JoAnna Lau, Board Member Emerita, Founding Gala Chair, Board Member since 1997
MEmbers
Our leadership & Staff
COMPANY
Donald Byrd, Co-Executive Director & Artistic Director
SCHOOL
Stephanie Guiland, Co-Executive Director & School Director
Mary Sigward, Academy Coordinator
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Kisira Hill, Digital Media Manager
Taelore Rhoden, Marketing and Communications Director
OPERATIONS
Susan Daggett, Front Desk Staff
Bob Gribas, Front Desk Staff
Annabel Nakimuli, Intern