Center Dance Ensemble Announces 17-18 Season

Center Dance Ensemble and Artistic Director Fran Smith Cohen announce the company's 29th season for 2017/18 at the Herberger Theater Center. Center Dance Ensemble performs dance in the classical modern style, with four distinct performances, each telling enlightening and entertaining stories through movement.

Cohen, a protege of the famed Martha Graham, has received national acclaim and recognition for both her choreography and work developing young dancers. A truly gifted storyteller, Cohen brings fascinating narratives to life, finding inspiration from folklore, novels, classic stories and pop culture.

Tickets for the 2017/18 Season are on sale now at www.herbergertheater.org or by calling 602-252-8497. For more information on Center Dance Ensemble, its performances and outreach programs visit www.centerdance.com.

Ghosts & Goblins & Witches, Oh My! Oct 19 - 21 at 7:30; Oct 22 at 2 pm Oct 19 & 20 at 12:00 (Lunch Time Dance Theater Performances) Stage West, Herberger Theater Center 222 E. Monroe, Phoenix AZ 85004 Tickets: $28 adults/$23 seniors/$14 students Herbergertheater.org or (602) 252-8497

Just in time for Halloween, Center Dance Ensemble performs a spooky, haunting program, Ghosts & Goblins & Witches, Oh My! The centerpiece of the program will be Artistic Director Fran Cohen's piece, A Department Store Murder Mystery, based on John Collier's short story Evening Primrose. The mystery surrounds a young man trapped in a department store who encounters strange mannequins that come alive at night. The program also features Cohen's new work, Sweet Hauntings, which explores how we are haunted by our memories from people who have passed. Rounding out the program are two works from Assistant Director Diane McNeal Hunt, Spellbound and Possessed as well as two pieces from guest artists Instinct Dancecorps, directed by Angela Rosencrans, and independent dancer, NicOle Olsen.

Snow Queen Dec 2 - 17; Saturdays at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm, Sundays at 2:00 and 5:00 pm Dec 8 - 15 at 12:00 (Lunchtime Dance Theater Performances) Stage West, Herberger Theater Center 222 E. Monroe, Phoenix AZ 85004 Tickets: $28 adults/$23 seniors/$14 students Herbergertheater.org or (602) 252-8497
The holidays just wouldn't be complete without the charming winter adventure, Snow Queen. Based on the Hans Christen Andersen fairytale and set to Prokofiev's lush score, Center Dance Ensemble brings the wicked Snow Queen to life! Families will delight in the mystical world of sprites, gypsies and ice maidens while the young Gerda seeks to rescue Kai from the Snow Queen's Crystal Palace. Center Dance's principal dancers will be joined by over 150 children from all over the Valley to create this magical wintery fairytale for the holiday season!

Center Dance Ensemble in Rep CinderElla Rock! & Shakespeare at The Herberger
Center Dance Ensemble kicks off March with an incredible weekend of dance. The acclaimed company will perform two programs in rep.

CinderElla Rock!
Mar 3 & 4 at 2:00 pm Stage West, Herberger Theater Center 222 E. Monroe, Phoenix AZ 85004 Tickets: $10 adults/$5 students www.centerdance.com or (602) 252-8497

Families will delight in this whimsical matinee performance of CinderElla Rock! - set during the big-hair pop age of the 80s. The classic fairytale is told with a rockin' twist as the wicked step-sisters badger and harass sweet Cinderella, who ultimately conquers all.

Shakespeare at The HerbergerMar 2 & 3 at 7:30; March 4 at 5:00 pm
Mar 2 at 12:00 (Lunch Time Dance Theater Performance) Stage West, Herberger Theater Center 222 E. Monroe, Phoenix AZ 85004 Tickets: $28 adults/$23 seniors/$14 students herbergertheater.org or (602) 252-8497

Center Dance Ensemble explores the psychological and poetic genius of Shakespeare in this evening program. Created by Artistic Director Fran Cohen and featuring Emilio Minto as "Othello" and D. Daniel Hollingshead as the conniving "Iago," Shakespeare at The Herberger reveals the darkness and havoc that unfold from the evil machinations of the classic puppet master. Rounding out the program will be several mesmerizing pieces based on Shakespeare's sonnets, choreographed by Assistant Artistic Director, Diane McNeal Hunt.

American Voices Apr 22 at 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Apr 18 & 19 at 12:00 pm (Lunch Time Dance Theater Performances) Kax Theatre, Herberger Theater Center 222 E. Monroe, Phoenix AZ 85004 Tickets: $16 adults/$13 seniors/$10 students herbergertheater.org or (602) 252-8497

Center Dance Ensemble delivers a powerful experience as performers find the exquisite connection between movement and words. Held in celebration of National Poetry Month, American Voices features works inspired by American poets and choreographed by Center Dance Ensemble dancers. The performances also include works by Dance Theater West's Storybook Dance Theater and readings by finalists from the Poetry Out Loud regional competition, the national recitation contest for high-school poets.

About Center Dance Ensemble Center Dance Ensemble (CDE) was founded in 1988 with the dual mission of creating original works of the highest artistic quality and designing arts education opportunities and programs for students throughout the Valley.

As the resident modern dance company at the Herberger Theater Center, CDE presents four major productions throughout the season, and partners with the Herberger in producing several special opportunities for students, including the Young Artists' Competition and the Wolf Trap Field Trips.

Dance presentations are created especially for CDE by Artistic Director Frances Smith Cohen and by international and national guest choreographers. Major works include: Slaughter on Tenth Avenue and Light by Cliff Keuter; First Movement/Last Concerto, The Yellow Shark and Songs of My Mother by Donald Dadey; Siyotanka and Footworks by Diane McNeal Hunt; and Snow Queen, Hamlet/the Ballet, Carmina Burana, The Ballad of Barbara Allen and La Llorona by Frances Smith Cohen. The company has also produced major works by Toronto-based choreographer Michael Montanaro and Vancouver choreographer Robyn Allan.

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