Owensboro Dance Theatre

- 2705 Breckenridge St, Owensboro, KY 42303

For more than four decades, Owensboro Dance Theatre (ODT) has been a vital force in the arts community of Western Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Founded in 1982 by the combined efforts of Joy Johnson and Karen Carothers, ODT is a pre-professional dance company with a profound mission: "changing lives one dance at a time." It is one of only a handful of 501(c)(3) dance companies in the state of Kentucky, a testament to its long-standing commitment to community service and artistic excellence. The organization’s four core values—exceptional quality, education for all, innovative programs, and health and wellness—are at the heart of everything they do. ODT has provided an artistic home to over 200 alumni, many of whom have gone on to professional careers in dance, teaching, and studio ownership, showcasing the quality of training provided.

Owensboro Dance Theatre is renowned for its passion for sharing the joy and benefits of dance with people of all ages, abilities, and cultures. While they are a pre-professional company that offers rigorous training for serious dancers, they also provide numerous clinics, workshops, and outreach programs that are open to the entire community. Their dedication to a diverse audience is evident in programs like Triple A (Arts Access for All), which are designed to reach underserved community members and provide them with free or reduced-cost opportunities to experience the art of dance. ODT is not just about performance; it’s about enriching the cultural environment of the region and using dance as a tool for positive change.

The Owensboro Dance Theatre is located at 2705 Breckenridge St, Owensboro, KY 42303, USA. This central location in Owensboro makes it a convenient hub for dancers and their families from all over the Tri-State area. The studio is committed to being an accessible and welcoming space for everyone. To ensure ease of access, the location features a wheelchair-accessible entrance and a wheelchair-accessible parking lot. Additionally, the availability of on-site parking simplifies arrival and departure, which is a great convenience for busy parents and students. ODT’s commitment to providing a seamless experience for its community extends to these practical details, ensuring that the focus can remain on the art of dance.

Owensboro Dance Theatre provides a variety of services, with a strong emphasis on performance, education, and community outreach. While they are a performing company, they also provide training and educational programs through their partnership with Johnson's Dance Studio and their own classes.

• Dance Performances: ODT produces two main stage productions each season, typically held at the RiverPark Center. These include a unique version of the holiday classic, “The Nutcracker,” and an “In Concert” performance in March. They also present a third major production each year featuring a nationally recognized professional dance company.
• Dance Education: The company provides training for young dancers in a variety of disciplines, including ballet, jazz, tap, and hip-hop.
• Community Outreach: Through their Triple A (Arts Access for All) programs, ODT provides free or reduced-cost dance opportunities to underserved community members. They also collaborate with the RiverPark Center's Arts Teach Kids program to offer school performances.
• Training for Dancers: ODT Company and Apprentice Company members train for over 10 hours a week to prepare for performances and master classes.
• Clinics and Workshops: The company offers open clinics and workshops for aspiring dancers throughout the Western Kentucky and Southern Indiana regions.

Owensboro Dance Theatre is distinguished by several key features and highlights that make it a premier institution in the region.

• Wheelchair Accessible: The studio and its performance venues are committed to inclusivity with wheelchair-accessible entrances and parking lots.
• On-site Parking: Provides convenience for families and visitors.
• Major Stage Productions: The company produces two to three major shows a year, offering professional-level performance opportunities for their dancers and entertainment for the community.
• Professional Guest Artists: The company's main stage productions often feature professional guest dancers from nationally recognized companies, offering students and audiences a chance to experience high-caliber artistry.
• Community-Centric Mission: With its "changing lives one dance at a time" mission, ODT focuses on education and outreach, not just performance.
• Extensive History: Since its founding in 1982, ODT has a long legacy of excellence and has served over 700,000 individuals through its performances and programs.

For more information, to inquire about a class, or to learn more about upcoming performances, you can use the following contact information.

Address: 2705 Breckenridge St, Owensboro, KY 42303, USA

Phone: (270) 684-9580

What makes Owensboro Dance Theatre truly worth choosing is its incredible impact on both its students and the wider community. It is a unique organization that blends the rigorous training of a pre-professional dance company with a deeply rooted mission of community service and accessibility. The fact that ODT has produced two main stage productions a year for decades, including its beloved and unique version of “The Nutcracker,” highlights its reliability and artistic quality. These shows are not only a great opportunity for the talented pre-professional dancers but also a fantastic spectacle for the community, often featuring hundreds of local performers and professional guest artists. This commitment to local talent and the broader audience is a rare and valuable asset.

Beyond the stage, ODT's dedication to education and outreach is what sets it apart. The Triple A (Arts Access for All) programs and its collaboration with the RiverPark Center's Arts Teach Kids program demonstrate a genuine desire to make dance accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or ability. This is a dance company that believes in its mission of "changing lives one dance at a time," and they back it up with tangible programs that enrich the lives of thousands of people in the region. A review from a customer who attended a performance praised the "so much local talent" and said the show was "so entertaining," highlighting the quality of the productions. Another reviewer pointed out that the "In Concert" show was a "showcase of local talent" and a "vibrant production" that offered something for everyone, further proving ODT's ability to create art that resonates with the entire community. For families and individuals in Kentucky looking for a dance organization that offers not only high-quality training and performance but also a profound commitment to community betterment, Owensboro Dance Theatre is an exceptional choice.

Owensboro Dance Theatre

2705 Breckenridge St, Owensboro, KY 42303, USA