Hollins University/American Dance Festival MFA candidate Dana Ruttenburg spoke with us about her research and study for this program. HU/ADF MFA candidates host numerous shows each summer, in black box theaters and creative informal venues across Duke’s East and West Campus. Upcoming performances include the Mobile Tour on Duke’s East Campus on July 17 from 1-3pm and the Thesis Performances at Reynolds Industries Theater on July 22-23 at 8pm. See you all there!

The Hollins University/American Dance Festival MFA Program is an innovative 60-credit program that offers students an opportunity to immerse themselves for six weeks of the summer in the international, collaborative community of the American Dance Festival, followed by an intimate learning atmosphere at Hollins University and abroad. Few graduate programs can provide students with such imaginative approaches to thinking about dance, along with such a wide range of experiences and opportunities, mentorships, and exposure to others in the international dance field. The ADF Video Blog sat down with Jeffery Bullock, the new Director of the HU/ADF MFA Program to talk about what makes this program stand out from others. Don’t miss the HU/ADF MFA Performance at Reynolds Industries Theater, July 22-23!

Sara Procopio is a current dancer for Shen Wei Dance Arts and a faculty member for the ADF 3 Week School. She took time from her busy schedule to talk with the ADF Video Blog about her eleven years with the company and ADF’s impact on its development. Don’t miss Shen Wei Dance Arts at the Durham Center for the Performing Arts, July 14-16 at 8pm.

Acclaimed for his synthesis of Eastern and Western art forms, choreographer, designer, and director Shen Wei continues to awe audiences as he infuses his riveting and timeless movement vocabulary with the use of new artistic mediums. Since his company’s founding at the ADF in 2000 they have continued to perform yearly at the Festival and this summer, the company will perform an ADF commissioned world premiere that will show a new and undoubtedly captivating side of Shen Wei’s artistic skill.

New Work is commissioned by the ADF with support from the SHS Foundation.

ADF tours offer individuals, families, and community groups a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of the ADF to witness modern dance in the making. Weekly tours begin with a short video about the ADF, followed by a walking tour of ADF School classes. Visitors of all ages can catch a glimpse of our world-renowned faculty and students hard at work.

The ADF Three Week School is a program designed specifically for the training and education of dancers from the ages of 12-16. The faculty have a committed interest in working with this particular age group and are experienced and dedicated artists in the field. The focus of the program is to provide excellent training in a supportive and nurturing environment, while introducing younger dancers to the range and diversity of the dance profession today. Three Week School Directors Pam Pietro and Ursula Payne spoke with us about the program.

Doug Varone talks with us about his evening length work “Chapters from a Broken Novel,” to be performed at Reynolds Industries Theater, July 11-13 at 8pm. If you missed the excerpts from “Chapters” performed at NC State’s Center Stage series in February, be sure to check out the full performance happening today through Wednesday.