Six-week students at the ADF take 3 two-hour classes a day, four days a week; two of these classes can be technique and the third a composition or repertory class. Students audition for the repertory classes with ADF faculty the first weekend they arrive, and work intensely for the next six weeks in creating a new work with the faculty or in learning past repertory. In this video you will catch a glimpse of Ming Lung Yang and Ursula Payne’s repertory showings.

One quintessential element of ADF are hand-painted and brightly colored school buses. With the exception of an occasional break-down, these buses, affectionately named “Tank” and “Gentle Beauty”, take students to and from classes and dance performances. CyberDance rode the bus to learn about scholarship students’ favorite aspects of the festival. Since ADF would not thrive without the generous donations of patrons and businesses, the students say a huge “thanks.”

The Four Week School immerses students in an intergenerational and international community of dance, providing a fun yet intensive program of study designed to meet the needs of mature students ages 12 to 16. Students take three classes a day, four days a week, and participate in special workshops and classes offered by guest artists on Wednesdays and weekends.

Just over 30 years ago the American Dance Festival came to Durham, North Carolina. Not long behind came faculty members Natalie Gilbert, John Hanks, Gerri Houlihan, and Khalid Saleem. Summer after summer these faculty members have come to the ADF to partake in a cultural exchange that goes beyond the mere sharing of ideas. Teachers become mentors, and students expand their horizons. For their dedication to their art form and teaching for over 25 years, the ADF would like to thank and honor these four faculty members.

ADF dancers take the stage again for the fourth year as the Past/Forward program celebrates new and classic works. With works by Jerome Robbins, Merce Cunningham, and Tatiana Baganova, it is a show not to be missed! The Past/Forward performances will be at the Reynolds Industries Theater at 8pm, July 19-21. CyberDance spoke with a dancer from each of the pieces.

Every year, hundreds of students attend scholarship auditions for the ADF School at locations across the country. Awards are based on creative potential, technical ability, and financial need. These scholarships are possible thanks to the generous support of donors to the ADF. CyberDance spent some time with two ADF scholarship students.

CyberDance spoke with Rodger Belman about his site-specific work at the Duke Gardens made in collaboration with ADF students. The performance is Sunday, July 18 at 10 a.m. This event is free and open to the public.