What is a Softbox

Polaris Dance Theatre's Artistic Director, Robert Guitron, had a special three towered softbox designed for his talented aerial dancers. The softbox premiered at Lincoln Performance Hall December 9-11 as part of Polaris Dance Theatre's REPO concert. Aerial classes are offered at the Polaris Contemporary Dance Center. Click here for the Winter class schedule and try aerial classes today!

‘Til They Reach The Fertile Ground

Click here for another great article about the Fertile Ground Festival and Polaris Dance Theatre's Groovin' Greenhouse. Article by Rebecca Ragain.

Third annual citywide arts festival returns with impressive lineup of dance works

A Facebook Page

Polaris Dance Theatre is NOW on facebook as a page. Click here to check it out and like it today. Polaris Dance Theatre still has their group page, but is slowly transitioning to only using their NEW facebook page. Don't miss regular updates on facebook - make sure you like us on facebook today! 

Art Springs Eternal

Click here for a great article about the Fertile Ground Festival and Polaris Dance Theatre's role as host to the dance hub, the Groovin' Greenhouse. Article by Virginia Thayer. 

Lil' Mo Taste is almost SOLD OUT!

Polaris Dance Theatre collaborated with the Fertile Ground Festival to create a dance hub - the Groovin' Greenhouse. This weekend, Friday, January 28th and Saturday, January 29th, the Groovin' Greenhouse launches at the Polaris Contemporary Dance Center. Local and professional dance companies such as 

NW Fusion Dance, Cerrin Lathrop & Carlyn Hudson, Aaron Wheeler-Kay, Legacy Dance, Polaris Dance Theatre, Les Watanabe, Portland Festival Ballet Dancers and Dance Coalition of Oregon 

are showcasing their new works. Polaris is not only hosting the event, but also presents "Lil' Mo Taste", a taste of their Spring Concert Lil' Mo on Saturday, January 29th. Tickets are SOLD OUT for the 5:00 p.m. showing. However, the 8:00 p.m. showing still has a few seats remaining. Buy tickets today for "Lil' Mo Taste" and save yourself the regret tomorrow. Or - Buy a Fertile Ground pass today and half the proceeds go to Polaris Dance Theatre. Your support today helps Polaris Dance Theatre create innovative works in years to come.  

Children's Cancer Association

From left: Robert Guitron, Emily Zaroy, Bobby Fouther,
Kristi Imel, Sara Anderson and John DePue

John DePue

Polaris Dance Theatre hosted a free performance at their Polaris Contemporary Dance Center on Friday evening, January 7th, 2011 as part of a special pilot project for the Children's Cancer Association.

"The energy and love for Polaris Dance Theatre was easy to see and feel." ~ Dancer, Sara Anderson 

The performance was co-hosted by John DePue - longtime friend of Polaris' Artistic Director, Robert Guitron.  Mr. DePue is a world renowned dancer and choreographer originally from America.  He now lives in Germany where he puts his creative energy towards "live communication."  Currently, Mr. DePue has tunneled his creative passion towards the Children's Cancer Association in hopes of raising money for families and kids in need of medical treatment after being diagnosed with cancer.
Mr. DePue contacted Mr. Guitron recognizing the solid foundation and following Mr. Guitron has created with his Company, Polaris Dance Theatre, and together they hosted Friday's event.  Polaris Dance Theatre opened their doors to the general public anticipating between 20 to 30 audience members, however, a new row of chairs was required as more and more people showed up.
The performance kicked off at 7:00 p.m. lasting 45 minutes and then transitioned into the lobby for an after party including food, cocktails and a chance to speak with the Polaris dancers.  Polaris performed three pieces: "Cling" - aerial work performed at Polaris' winter concert, REPO, and two of Polaris' favorites "Quiver" and "Change".  There were old and new audience members including a couple that saw "Black Swan" in the movie theaters, which drove them to find local dance performances, a couple from Salem who missed the REPO concert and jumped at the chance to see works from the Winter concert, Studio One Dance Academy teachers and students, and other community members.  The night was a true success as a broader audience arrived interested in the Polaris Dance School and upcoming events such as the Fertile Ground's Groovin' Greenhouse.
The Polaris dancers were ecstatic to step into the lobby after their performance and find such an enthusiastic reception prompting dancer Sara Anderson to say later as I spoke with her, "The energy and love for Polaris Dance Theatre was easy to see and feel."  Although Mr. DePue has already flown back to Germany, Polaris is thrilled they were a part of such an important event and hopes to aid Mr. DePue in relation with the Children's Cancer Association in the future.
Up next Polaris is excited to open their studio doors for the Groovin' Greenhouse - the dance hub during the Fertile Ground Festival, January 28th and 29th, 2011.  The lighting arrived this morning and Polaris is already setting up for performances by multiple local dance companies.  Before the Groovin' Greenhouse, Polaris is opening their doors this Sunday as they host auditions for the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance.  Polaris is also excited to showcase their Second Company for the first time independently in participation with OMSI's new exhibits including fire dancing.  Most importantly, Polaris is gearing up for their Spring concert, Lil' Mo, this June.  To get a sneak peak of works in progress for "Lil' Mo", Polaris is presenting "Lil' Mo Taste" during the Groovin' Greenhouse.  For more information about these events, please visit the Polaris Dance Theatre's official website.  These days, Polaris Dance Theatre is everywhere collaborating with all kinds of groups, performing at all types of venues, with two separate companies.  The events keep rolling in making Polaris a true staple in the Portland dance scene.

Polaris hosts the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance Summer Intensive Auditions

Professional and students DANCERS!!! Polaris Dance Theatre is hosting auditions for the 2011 Summer Intensive Program with San Francisco Conservatory of Dance company at the Polaris Contemporary Dance Center on Sunday, January 16th from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.  The Summer Intensive Program aims to advance students' artistic development through advanced training in ballet and modern technique by a stellar faculty; incorporate the study of William Forsythe's Improvisational Technologies and Ohad Naharin's Gaga movement language as well as learn selected pieces from their respective repertories.
Auditions are held for three separate Sessions of summer intensive programs:

• Session 1 - May 30th - June 9th, 2011 Student Showcases on July 8th and 9th (For advance students and professionals 18 and over) 
• This session begins with a 3 week immersion in William Forsythe's improvisational technologies conducted by Alessio Silvestrin, who will also set a piece from Mr. Forsythe's repertory and choreograph a new work.  During weeks 3-6, students also develop new works in collaboration with Christian Burns and Alex Ketley.  Highly challenging technique classes are taught by Summer Lee Rhatigan, Chiharu Shibata, Tristan Ching, Christian, and Alex.  
• Session 2 -  June 13th - July 9th, 2011 Student Showcase on July 8th and 9th (For advance students 14-23) 
• Highly challenging ballet and modern technique classes taught by Summer Lee Rhatigan, Christian Burns, Alex Ketley, Chiharu Shibata and Tristan Ching provide the daily laboratory in which experimentation, focus and physical commitment lay the groundwork for uninhibited collaboration in the choreographic process with Christian, Alex, Summer, Malinda LaVelle and guest artists. 
• Session 3 - July 11th - August 6th, 2011 Student Showcase on August 5th and 6th (For advance students 14-23) 
• Batsheva dancer Bobbi Smith teaches daily classes, sets selected works from Mr. Naharin's repertory, and choreographs a new work.  Highly challenging ballet and modern technique classes taught by Summer Lee Rhatigan, Christian Burns, Alex Ketley, Chiharu Shibata and Tristan Ching provide the daily laboratory in which experimentation, focus and physical commitment lay the groundwork for uninhibited collaboration in the choreographer process with Bobbi, Christian, Alex, Summer, Malinda LaVelle and guest artists. 

Polaris Dance Theatre's Artistic Director, Robert Guitron, is excited to help his friends at the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance find talented professional and student dancers in the surrounding Portland area by hosting the auditions at the new Polaris Contemporary Dance Center.  Dancers - here's your chance to see amazing professional dancers in action, practice the auditioning process and hopefully make it to these outstanding summer intensive sessions.  Don't miss this opportunity.  

Free in-studio company performance

Polaris dancers

Polaris Dance Theatre is opening the Polaris Contemporary Dance Center's doors this Friday, January 7th, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. for a FREE dance performance. For those of you that loved REPO and need another Polaris fix NOW or who missed REPO, here’s your chance to view amazing dances for FREE!  Polaris is performing a sampling of work in our studio theater (the Polaris Contemporary Dance Center) as part of a presentation for a special pilot project. The program includes “Cling” – the dramatic aerial work that premiered at REPO, as well as Polaris favorites “Quiver” and “Change.”  Hope to see you all there!  To make a donation to Polaris and it's amazing and talented dancers, click here.  Any donation helps keep the Polaris Contemporary Dance Center running and our dancers receiving money for all their hard work and effort.  We appreciate all your support.   

Winter Class Schedule begins today

Come take class with Polaris Dance Theatre's professional dancers at the Polaris Contemporary Dance Center this Winter.  The class schedule is up and available, so sign up now.  During January only, try any dance class for only $5.00 per class.  Click here to get this special coupon to print off and present at the door before class.  Polaris can't wait to dance with you in the new year!

Master Ballet Class by Haley Blaise

Haley Blaise

Please join Haley Blaise for a Master Ballet Class on Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Polaris Dance Theatre located at 1501 SW Taylor Street, Portland, OR 97205.