About
Word Dance Theater
Word Dance Theater was founded in Washington, D.C. in 2001. Our mission is to create and perform modern dance productions and to provide educational experiences that preserve and illuminate the philosophy and choreography of Isadora Duncan, founder of Modern Dance. Through the artful blending of dance, music and theater, Word Dance Theater pays tribute to Duncan’s philosophy as a rich foundation from which new dance experiences can emerge.
Our vision is to influence change and inspire lives through the Art of Modern Dance.
Since 2001, Word Dance Theater has presented in every major dance venue in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area including The Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theater, Carter Baron Amphitheater, Dance Place, BlackRock Center for the Arts, The Jack Guidone Theater/Joy of Motion, The Kreeger Theater/Jewish Community Center, The Baltimore Museum of Art. Word Dance Theater present “Salons” for 100 people or less at more intimate venues such as the museums, embassies, and even private homes. The “Salons” are a wonderful opportunity to see Word Dance Theater with live music, and have time to interact with the dancers and choreographers.
Word Dance Theater is devoted to bringing dance into the community and providing opportunities for all parts of the community to come to the theater to see dance. In November 2004, Cynthia Word, Artistic Director of Word Dance Theater, was honored as one of seven community leaders making a positive impact on society. Cynthia was selected from hundreds of nominees…people who are bettering the lives of others in their local communities. WJLA/ABC News 7, Washington Area Toyota Dealers, Gazette Newspapers, Macy’s and WASH-FM radio station sponsored this award.
In addition to our concert programs, Word Dance Theater offers the opportunity for exciting classroom residencies. These residencies are led by Cynthia Word, Valerie Durham or Ingrid Zimmer, all Kennedy Center Teaching Artists.
A sampling of our past presentations include:
2010:
March 30 “Revolutionary! Isadora Duncan” presented by the Take Five Series at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland.
June 1 – 4 “Revolutionary! Isadora Duncan” presented by Piccolo Spoleto in Charleston, SC.
2009:
April 16 -18 “Suite Duncan” presented by The George Washington University Department of Theater and Dance Spring Concert, as a culmination of a semester residency teaching three Duncan dances to students.
April 24 – 27 “Harp Etude” presented by the National Cathedral School Spring Dance Concert as the culmination of a residency teaching Duncan repertory to Middle School girls.
May 20 -31 “Apollo and the Muses” presented by the Isadora Duncan International Institute performing Isadora Duncan repertory throughout Greece.
June 22 “Dancing with the Muses” presented by The Body, Santa Fe, NM.
July 9 -25 “Revolutionary! Isadora Duncan” presented by the Capital Fringe Festival, Washington, D.C.
2008:
January 11 “Prelude” presented by the National Cathedral School, Washington, D.C.
March 2 “Dance at the National Museum for Women in the Arts” presented by the National Museum for Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C.
April 24 – 26 “Grande Valse Brilliante”, presented by the National Cathedral School Spring Dance Concert as the culmination of a residency teaching Duncan repertory to High School girls.
May 1 “The Dances of Isadora Duncan” presented at the Ratner Museum, Bethesda, MD.
July 9 – 20 “Revolutionary! Isadora Duncan” presented by the Capital Fringe Festival, Washington, D.C.
October 4 “Incense”and “Duncan Suite” presented by the Art of the Solo, South Boston, VA.
2007:
January 26 The Harkness Center for Dance in performance with the Isadora Duncan International Institute, New York City.
September 29 “Radha” presented by The Art of the Solo, Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore, MD.
October 20 “Spirit Rising” presented at the Dumbarton Church, Washington, D.C.
2006:
January 27 The Harkness Center for Dance, in performance with the Isadora Duncan International Institute, New York City.
July 16 “Berceuse” presented by the Denis and Phillip Ratner Museum in partnership with Washington Musica Viva, Bethesda, MD.
September 24 “Suite Sappho” presented at The Atheneum, Alexandria, VA.
November 10-11 “Wild Hearts: Sappho and Isadora” presented at The Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theater, Washington, D.C.