I can make out Mercer Island glimmering across Lake Washington as I walk toward the entrance of the Spectrum Dance Theater (SDT). Spectrum’s box-like building, a former bathhouse located on Madrona Beach, looks from the outside like some kind of museum, placid, exhibiting a bit of moss and wear. Inside its walls, though, there’s a whole lot of shaking—shimmying, pirouetting, and leaping — going on.
SDT’s vision statement proclaims that they make dance “accessible — without limitations — to the community.” A nice sentiment, maybe, but how is that actually possible? We’re talking about dance here. Back in the day, when I tried to break into the dance scene as a teenager, the prevailing attitude was: If you didn’t start before age 5, you might as well forget it. Not anymore.
And especially not at Spectrum.
“Our vision is to have classes for all levels, all body types,” says Shawn Roberts Hensley, school and outreach director for Spectrum. “We have 500 students and 70 classes a week.” Classes for children, teens, and adults.
Even in SDT’s backwater location (off Lake Washington Boulevard at the foot of Madrona Drive), classes for preschoolers through age 11 fill up quickly, and many have waiting lists. (Open registration has begun for the winter spring session and May 24 for summer.)
Adult classes are also popular, and some have long-standing success. Mercer Islander SuzAnne Duckworth, a founding member of the Spectrum Dance Company, has been teaching Spectrum’s intermediate jazz classes since the school opened in 1982.
“Some of SuzAnne’s original students have continued to dance with her for over 30 years,” says Hensley. “It’s amazing; they come back year after year. She has a very strong following.”
Like the classes for children and teens, adult classes are offered in a variety of styles: jazz, ballet, African, tap, musical theater and contemporary dance. Adults are invited to drop in for any session. Really. You can try any adult class, any time. If it’s not at your level, Shawn Roberts Hensley can help you find one suited to your abilities.
There is also a program for teenagers, with beginning and intermediate dance classes in many different styles. One of the most exciting developments at the Spectrum Dance Theater in the past four years has been the contemporary dance Academy Program for ages 14-21.
“For students interested in training at a higher level and becoming professional dancers, in their third or fourth year of our training program they are able to audition as an apprentice into our professional company or prepare for another professional-level company,” says Hensley. “It really is a well-rounded dance education and a great opportunity.”
Even the cost is negotiable. Upon qualification, there are 30 to 40 “Gift of Dance” full and partial scholarships available for children and teens each year, and adults can take advantage of work/study opportunities.
After more than two decades in existence, the Spectrum Dance Theater has become the Northwest’s largest contemporary dance organization, the centerpiece of which is the Spectrum Dance Company, a renowned professional company under artistic direction of Donald Byrd. The excitement and daring of the company promises to be in full evidence Feb. 18-20 at the Moore Theatre, in their dance-theater performance of “Farewell: A Fantastical Contemplation on America’s Relationship with China,” a world premiere choreographed by Byrd and set to Byron Au Yong’s original score. Smaller studio shows are also held at the Madrona Beach studios throughout the year.
It’s hard to fathom that all of this dance creativity and artistic energy is housed in such a modest structure, but I am instantly won over. As I exit onto a tranquil lakeside afternoon, the echo of drums emanate from the upper level studio, lifting my spirits and adding a bounce to my step.
Islander Claire Gebben can be reached at clairegebben@gmail.com.
