4 professional dance companies to 'spotlight Utah' in rare joint performance

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Four Utah dance companies will unite for "Choreographic Fest VII: Spotlight Utah."
• The event features Ballet West, Repertory Dance Theatre, Ririe-Woodbury Dance and Salt Contemporary Dance.
• Performances include new works by award winning choreographers, highlighting Utah's dance talent.

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah is well-known for its vibrant dance community and for producing talented dancers. To showcase this, four of Utah's top professional dance companies are coming together to share the stage and highlight their work.

Ballet West, Repertory Dance Theatre, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company and Salt Contemporary Dance will all perform in the "Choreographic Fest VII: Spotlight Utah."

"Utah has some of the most innovative dance companies in America — more than could ever be featured on one program," said Ballet West artistic director Adam Sklute.

The show will include the world premiere of "Processional," a piece choreographed by Tony Award-nominated Donald Byrd, with whom Sklute worked when he was previously at the Joffrey Ballet. With music by Igor Stravinsky, the dance was set on Ballet West artists.

"This program is a celebration of just some of the depth and diversity of talented artistry we have in the dance field here in Salt Lake City," Sklute said.

Salt Contemporary Dance will be performing "Time Comprises a Net," by award-winning Chicago-based choreographer Noelle Kayser. The Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company will perform "The Rate We Change" by Salt Lake City-based artist Kellie St. Pierre.

Repertory Dance Theatre will perform "Scherzo Fantastique," a piece by Norbert De La Cruz III that was commissioned for the company's 60th anniversary.

"I respect these companies tremendously, and it is such an honor to be able to bring them in and put us all on the stage together, to show our uniqueness, our sameness, and what makes the dance scene so strong and wonderful in Salt Lake City and in Utah," Sklute said.

"Choreographic Fest VII: Spotlight Utah" will be performed at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center from May 13 to May 16.

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Cassidy Wixom

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Cassidy Wixom is an award-winning reporter for KSL. She covers Utah County communities, arts and entertainment, and breaking news. Cassidy graduated from BYU before joining KSL in 2022.