Patti Rutland Jazz

Patti Rutland Jazz
Origin United States Dothan, AL
Genres

Jazz Dance

    Years active 2006 – present
    Website Patti Rutland Jazz Website

    Patti Rutland Jazz (PRJ) is a multi-genre, professional dance company located in Dothan, Alabama. It was founded in 1989 by choreographer Patti Rutland.[1] With twelve principle dancers and six apprentices, Patti Rutland Jazz produces three full length productions per year in Dothan, as well as traveling to other cities. The company has won awards at the Jazz Dance World Congress (founded by Rutland's teacher, Gus Giordano), including the esteemed Gold Shoe Award.[2][3]

    Performance

    Patti Rutland Jazz produces full length contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop theatrical dance productions each year in their home city of Dothan. These performances have taken place at many venues including Dothan's Cultural Arts Center, the Dothan Civic Center, Dothan's historic landmark theatre, The Dothan Opera House, and Wiregrass Church. Patti Rutland Jazz also tours and performs at various dance festivals such as Jazz on Tap in Atlanta and Panoply Festival of the Arts in Huntsville. In June 2008 the company made its New York debut at the Ailey Citigroup Theater.[4][5]

    In addition to concert work, Patti Rutland Jazz also produces an annual Christmas show titled "Santa's Workshop", an original story about a girl on a mission to become an elf.

    Outreach

    Founded in 1989, the company was first a studio-centric, amateur dance company but changed its mission and in 2006 it became a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation driven by a professional company. PRJ adopted a core mission to provide dance instruction and scholarship opportunities to under-served children in Dothan and the surrounding Wiregrass Region communities through its outreach program. The company provides free dance instruction to thousands of school children.[6]

    References

    1. ↑ "Jazz company celebrates its 25th season", Dothan Eagle, June 19, 2009.
    2. ↑ Lynn Voedisch, "On fads and fundamentals: jazz dance teachers share their perspectives", Dance Magazine, January 2006.
    3. ↑ Lynn Voedisch, "Jazz Dance Congress report 2005", Dance Magazine, December 1, 2005.
    4. ↑ Peggy Ussery, "Evolution: a Jazz and Hip-Hop Production", Dothan Eagle, May 30, 2008.
    5. ↑ "Dance Listings", The New York Times, June 27, 2008.
    6. ↑ Jim Cook, "Arts program brings dance to city schools", Dothan Eagle, November 30, 2010.
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