Florida Dance Theatre is a contemporary dance company led by Founding Director Carol Erkes and Associate Director Ferdinand (Freddie) De Jesus, dedicated to the enhancement of our community, through the art of dance. Utilizing dance as an educational tool, the professional dance company and training academy provide high quality dance to central Florida communities.
For thirteen years a strong team of qualified instructors, dancers, choreographers, designers and directors have played an integral part in the continuance of this dance institution. The company gives several performance series to enrich the cultural landscape of Polk County. The dance company presents its’ season at the beautiful Historic Polk Theatre in downtown Lakeland. Florida Dance Theatre has inspired an 11 year old Holiday concert, a series of Jazz performances, Cultural Diversity programs celebrating Latino and African American culture, and contemporary dance repertoire main stage concerts in modern dance and ballet, with choreographic premieres. Collaborations with the Polk Theatre, Southeastern University, Platform art parties, The Polk County Public Libraries, Arts in the Park, Family Fundamentals, Explorations V and the Polk Museum of Art exemplify the ways that the Florida Dance Theatre contributes to the artistic community of Polk County.
The Arts and Education program has been a passion of the founder, Ms. Erkes, since the organization’s inception. Her drive to educate youth about the importance of the performing arts in their lives spreads an appreciation for the arts through education in dance arts . Taking professional dance into area public schools, Florida Dance Theatre has reached and instilled an understanding of dance as an art form to as many as 10,000 young people throughout Polk County. While maintaining a continued commitment to the improvement of the quality of life in Polk County, the Florida Dance Theatre acts as a center for Innovation and Education.
In its new season, Florida Dance Theatre intends to provide a multitude of extraordinary and diverse dance programs. With the support of members of Florida Dance Theatre’s Board of Directors, and the continued support of The Community Foundation of Greater Lakeland, Publix Supermarket Charities, Citrus & Chemical Bank, the George Jenkins Foundation, The Glazer Foundation and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, The Florida Dance Association, Polk Arts Alliance, The Polk Theatre, as well as other private contributions, anonymous donors, and our audience, this multidimensional dance organization will continue it’s mission to be one of central Florida’s leaders in American Dance.
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