Art does not flourish in isolation. It grows in an atmosphere of candor and sharing. By attending festivals, RDA member companies gain a wider perspective about their current level and their potential for progress.
RDA Festivals inspire artistic and personal growth, creativity, and excellence!
RDA member companies gather in their regions annually for three-day-long Festivals, each hosted by a member company or jointly hosted by the region. Over 1500 dancers from 60 regional companies, 300 parents, 100 artistic directors and staff members, and nearly 100 faculty members and musicians attend the annual Festivals.
The Making of a Regional Festival
The exciting process begins with the annual RDA Adjudication Tour. In the early spring, highly esteemed Adjudicators tour the RDA Regions to watch each member company take class and present choreography. The Adjudicator provides constructive feedback to member companies to elevate their accomplishments and selects works to be presented at the Regional Festival. The season culminates at the Regional Festival, where participants attend master classes, seminars, and college roundtables during the day, as well as perform each evening. Member company dancers are seen by college and professional training program recruiters and have the opportunity to audition for awards and scholarships. Dancers and company directors network with professionals in the areas of dance education and choreography, sports medicine, and more.
For over 50 years, RDA/NE has nurtured and provided opportunities for emerging and seasoned choreographers. RDA/NE highlights budding new talent during its Emerging Choreographer Showcases, and it awards choreographers who present the most outstanding works at the festivals. Choreographers and dancers alike can receive scholarships to RDA’s annual National Choreography Intensive.
The 2024 Festival is being held in Scranton, PA.
National Festival
A National Festival is held every five to seven years, bringing together all RDA member companies from around the United States for and extended Festival filled with master classes, auditions, and performances. National Festivals further the connections between the RDA Regions and Member Companies. They also help to bring an even greater perspective, inspiring the growth and development of dancers, choreographers, directors, companies and RDA as a whole. The last National Festival was held in Daytona Beach, FL in April, 2024. The next National Festival will be held in 2029 with the location yet to be determined.
Banner photo: Erie Contemporary Ballet Theatre. Photo credit: Eduardo PATINO.NYm
The annual festival is the highlight of the RDA dancer’s season!
Delaware Dance Company. Photo credit: Krista Valla.
South Dayton Dance Theatre. Photo Credit: Scott Robbins
Dayton Dance Conservatory. Photo Credit: Matt Silver
“The annual festival is a time to learn, observe, renew and begin new friendships with other artists. In addition to giving the dancers and their directors a perspective about their artistic development, festivals enable the dancers to participate in discussion groups where they learn more about the profession. In the festival classes they are exposed to outstanding teachers whom more often than not, confirm what the dancers’ own teachers and directors have been telling them. ”