The Trust Performing Arts Center in downtown Lancaster will host its first-ever Dance Festival during the month of January.
Three weekends of dance kick off 2023, featuring a local choreographer’s showcase, plus performances and master classes with Lancaster’s Cody Smith, Lancaster’s Emme Dance Collective, the New York-based A-Y/Dancers and The Trust’s resident dance company, the Durang Dance Collective.
Events are planned for Jan. 14, Jan. 21-22 and Jan. 28-29 at The Trust, 37 N. Market St., and tickets are available at lancastertrust.com/events.
Weekend 1: January 14
10 a.m. – Masterclass with local choreographer and director Cody Smith
For intermediate dancers ages 12 and up. Smith is a performer, director and choreographer from Lancaster. He was the director of the Hempfield High School theatre and dance programs for many years and has also directed and choreographed numerous shows for Ephrata Performing Arts Center, the Fulton Theatre, Gretna Theatre, Cedar Crest Show Choir, Cobalt Dance Company and Rev9 Dance Company. As a performer, he was in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in New York City for 19 years and has toured with the Christmas Spectacular and “Beauty and the Beast.” Smith has also performed regionally in Chicago as well as in 10 productions at the Fulton and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and the American Guild of Variety Artists.
2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Choreographer’s Showcase Performances
A group of Lancaster’s own choreographers will perform to the theme of “With Hope.”
Weekend 2: January 21-22
10 a.m. Jan. 21 – Masterclass with members of Emme Dance Collective
For intermediate dancers ages 12 and up. Founded by Emily Kline and Melissa Faller, Emme Dance Collective is a nonprofit, contemporary dance company igniting a passion for contemporary movement in Lancaster. Having grown up dancing together, Kline and Faller bonded over their shared passion for dance. After graduating high school, they continued their dance education at DeSales University, where they both received a Bachelor of Arts degree in dance. Since 2015, they have continued to work together on several choreographic projects, laying the foundation for Emme Dance Collective to emerge into the Lancaster dance community.
7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 and 2 p.m. Jan. 22 – Emme Dance Collective performances
Members of Emme Dance Collective offer two performances
Weekend 3: January 28-29
10 a.m. Jan. 28 – Masterclass with A-Y/Dancers
For intermediate dancers ages 12 and up. A professional repertory dance company based in the Hudson Valley of New York, A-Y/Dancers presents modern and contemporary dance through performances and public educational programs. By creating dance programs that span the history of concert dance and provide audiences with experiences of classical modern dance, acclaimed contemporary dance and groundbreaking emerging choreography, A-Y/Dancers seeks to serve, educate and grow the dance audience in the Hudson Valley’s already burgeoning artistic community.
7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 and 2 p.m. Jan. 29 – Performances with A-Y/Dancers and Durang Dance Collective
The Trust’s resident dance company, Durang Dance Collective exists to entertain and educate through dance while providing emerging choreography.
The Trust Performing Arts Center is an architecturally stunning venue for music, theatre, dance, lectures and community events in the heart of Lancaster’s downtown arts district. In 1912, the Lancaster Trust Company completed construction on its new headquarters—a Beaux-Arts masterpiece from the imagination of Lancaster’s leading architect, C. Emlen Urban. A century later, Mr. Urban’s architectural treasure has been re-imagined by Lancaster Bible College as The Trust Performing Arts Center. The Trust has a mission to honor God by encouraging excellence in the work of student and professional artists and by enriching the community through inspiring, challenging and redemptive experiences.