Center Dance Ensemble Performs at Phoenix’s Herberger Theater
Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, at Monroe and 2nd Street, is the Herberger Theater. For many years, the only venue downtown to catch performances of touring theater companies and the Phoenix Symphony was just title the Phoenix Symphony Center. Throughout the 1970′s and 1980′s, the building was a multi-arts complex, where one could go to see the Arizona Ballet Company, or their favorite Irish band touring the States. Little kids performed on the stage as well as seasoned, famous actors. Each year the Celebration of Youth Festival took place on the steps, and featured local groups performing, as well as the local celebrities of the time, Wallace and Ladmo. During the late 80′s the city embarked on a project of revitalization and redevelopment of the downtown area. This included adding convention centers, some of the newer and best Phoenix hotels, Bank One Ballpark, and the Herberger Theater.
During the last twenty years, the arts have been supported by the Herberger, and the number of performing arts companies is growing as a result of this venue. The theater caters to the theater crowd, as well as to the children living in the valley. Special programs have been developed which have contributed greatly to the educational and cultural development of the children of Phoenix. Of the four resident performance companies that call the Herberger their home, one is performing on the weekend of October 15-October 18, 2009. That is the Center Dance Ensemble and their performance of “The Fateful Life of Hamlet”. The Center Dance Ensemble was conceived in 1988, by the Herberger, to be the resident dance company. They are a modern company that is heavily influenced by ballet and drama. Many guest choreographers come to Phoenix to set pieces on the company, such as the famed choreographer from Chicago, Tim O’Slynn. This company is vibrant and eclectic, and should one be traveling through Phoenix in the next couple of weeks, this show at the Herberger should not be missed.
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