STG offers a tour of the world, without leaving your seat

For the last 14 years, Seattle Theater Group’s Dance This program offered a stage for the city’s most diverse communities to shine through dance.

This summer, the program will showcase more than 80 dancers and musicians who are well versed in traditional and contemporary dance techniques. The two-day show – July 13-14 – will take place at the Moore Theatre. This year the program’s young dancers, led by professional choreographers, will represent Vietnamese, Chinese, Hip Hop, Modern, Tibetan, and African dance styles.

For more than a decade, Vicky Lee, STG’s Director of Education and Performance Programs has always tried to cultivate an appreciation for the community’s common cultural dance styles.

“There’s such a rich, diverse community in the greater Seattle region,” Lee said. “We’re not only highlighting talent and cultural treasures in the area. We’re always putting forth a message of the importance of understanding cultures different from your own.”

Although the show’s premise hasn’t changed over the years, Lee and her team try to incorporate different elements into each show every year. One highlight of this year’s show feature a new piece by teen choreographer Jasmine Ramgotra, from STG's Young Choreographer's Lab, danced by auditioned teen dancers. The show will also feature an excerpt from the Tony Award winning Broadway Musical, Fela!, with original choreography by Bill T. Jones. Guest artist Danny Soto will stage, and also perform a featured solo during the performance. With so many performances, Lee said it’s hard to choose a favorite.

“Everyone does their piece so well,” she said. “People can expect to see the world map.”