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!

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.

The ADF video blog visited ADF Faculty Sherone Price’s African dance class to speak with Atiba Rorie, one of ADF’s talented musicians, about the relationship between music and dance and his experiences as a percussionist.

The ADF Six Week School is not only home to a vibrant student body led by an outstanding faculty, but also a host of extraordinary musicians, whose virtuosity and immense range of musical styles inspire the ADF faculty and students throughout the summer. The ADF video blog took in the rhythmic musings of Andy Hasenpflug, one of ADF’s talented musicians.

The ADF Six Week School is supplemented by WFSS (pronounced “woofs”) classes that are designed to inform and enhance students’ regular schedule. They allow students the opportunity to explore individualized interests, cross train in various body therapies and somatic work, or participate in special projects. The WFSS schedule also includes open showings, video screenings, panels, and discussions. WFSS classes meet on Wednesdays, Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays, and are offered on a regular as well as a drop-in basis. Audrey Lowry, the WFSS Program Director, speaks about the WFSS Program.

During the first five days of the ADF, students have the opportunity to audition for 10 different projects. Out of 300 plus dancers, the choreographers find a group of people who will best represent each individual dance. It’s a great opportunity for auditionees to learn about this process of selection and to experience different styles of movement.