Contemporary Dance Theater has its foot in different hemispheres of the dance world. Part of the company's mission is to produce and present the latest in dance and related forms of movement. The other is to work with people of all ages in Greater Cincinnati who love to dance.

        Although many professional dance organizations offer classes for aspiring professionals, CDT welcomes the recreational hoofer and sees community-based classes as a way to promote contemporary dance.

        “That's how you build an audience,” said CDT instructor Gloria Esenwein. “You expose people to all kinds of dance.”

        That means the organization offers classes in ballet as well as jazz and tap, hip-hop and African dance. Ms. Esenwein teaches rhythm tap technique and dance movement.

        “I like to work with people who are beginners, maybe just having some knowledge of dance,” she said. “People who know their right foot from their left and how to shift their weight.”

        Ms. Esenwein decided to call one of her Summer Dance Festival classes “Tap for Absolute Beginners.” She was surprised at the result: seven women and five men signed up.

        “I think it was definitely because of the word "absolute,'” she said.

        Contemporary Dance Theater has been part of Cincinnati's cultural landscape since 1972, when it was founded by Jefferson James.

        “My husband and I moved to Cincinnati from New York, fresh out of Juilliard (School),” Ms. James said. “There was no modern dance here at that time, and I wanted to keep dancing. There were other dancers here who wanted the same thing. So we developed a repertory company with an interest in a variety of viewpoints, and a studio, and then a presenting series.

        “CDT mixes the new with the familiar, and the challenging with the more accessible.”

        The company moved several times in its nearly 30 years. It now has studios and office space in the College Hill Town Hall and draws students from all over the Tristate. At the same time, it strives to present the movers and shakers of the contemporary dance movement in performances at the Aronoff Center.

        In addition to CDT's Summer Dance Festival, the organization sponsors Arts Camp for Kids and classes for adults and children throughout the year. Instruction is provided by dancers and choreographers in the Tristate area.

        Call (513) 591-2557 or e-mail CDT at jfrsonj@aol.com.

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