Polaris Dance Company

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Polaris Dance Theatre was founded in 2002 under the artistic direction of Robert Guitron who has taught, choreographed, and performed throughout the U.S., Italy, China, and Japan. In addition to the collaboration of dancer and director, Polaris frequently collaborates with other choreographers, musicians, sculptors, and visual artists, thus helping our local arts community grow as a whole, while never limiting the directions and ways Polaris can grow, be challenged, and develop as a company. We produce two annual festivals that bring together the best of local dance and provide wide public access to a diverse range of creative offerings by our fellow dance artists.

 

ABOUT THE CENTER

On January 31st, 2009 we finally realized the goal of opening the Polaris Dance Center, which offers a wide range of classes taught by professional instructors including ballet, contemporary, aerial and hip-hop, with instruction for all ages and skill levels, priced at an affordable pay scale to remain accessible to the widest audience possible. In 2011 we launched the Polaris Junior Company, a pre-professional training program for high school-aged students under the direction of Polaris company member and rehearsal director M’Liss Stephenson.  The Junior Company, or “JCo,” has grown to 15 students and Polaris will present its first-ever Junior Company Performance this spring, highlighting these students’ work in their own evening-length show.  In addition to classes year-round, we offer summer camps for kids ages 3 - 17. This year we’ve awarded $15,105 in scholarships to PDC students.

 

ABOUT ALL ACCESS

At Polaris, we believe that physical disability should never be a barrier to experiencing dance with your own body or fully participating in the joys of movement. Our All Access Program is dedicated to the movement potential of each individual. This innovative program opens doors to individuals in our community with a disability and embraces the freedom to explore, express, and create without judgment or comparison. One-on-one private sessions address each unique individual’s abilities, and a variety of group dance and conditioning classes create community connections. To reduce the socioeconomic issues barriers to participation, All Access students receive a 30% discount on class fees.