PO Box 526362
Salt Lake City, UT 84152

(801) 485-5824
kstjohn@burgoyne.com

website:
www.easternartists.com

(Dance; Multi-Cultural)

International Dance Theatre, under the direction of Katherine St. John, celebrates the cultures and traditions of many countries, including those of lesser-known ethnic groups such as Kurdish, Turkish, Arabic, Israeli, Persian, Central Asian, and more. Residencies could include introducing students to music, instruments, song, dance, language, geography, history, philosophy, and traditional arts such as rug weaving, block printing, origami and traditional clothing design.

As an example, a residency activity might be introducing students to differences in language and alphabet. They may learn to sing a song in Persian, to write their name in Persian or recognize some letters in calligraphic designs. International Dance Theatre (IDT) can bring small looms so students can experience weaving a few threads of a Persian, Afghan or Turkish carpet discussing the way colors are created and some of the symbolism used in various carpet designs. Students are always excited to learn more about each culture, which opens up discussion and education in many topics such as history, geography and even mathematics as we discover the geometry used in many traditional art designs and the mathematical breakdown of unusual rhythms in some music tradition. Each classroom might focus on one culture or country and share its findings in performance and exhibit in a community event.

Available for residencies, teacher training, extended projects, collaborations with other artists, and short-term activities.