Spectrum Dance Theater (SDT) was founded in 1982 to bring dance of the highest merit to a diverse audience composed of people from different social, cultural, ethnic and economic backgrounds. SDT’s principal objective is to make the art form of dance accessible through contemporary dance performances and high-quality dance training in a variety of dance styles. Three organizational components comprise SDT: the professional company, the School and outreach programs.

Under Donald Byrd’s visionary artistic leadership since 2002, the organization has embarked on an exhilarating transformation that has attracted world-class dancers, produced some of the most avant-garde works in contemporary dance, and generated local and national praise.

Donald Byrd: “I would describe myself as intense, dedicated, committed, driven – I’m an artist. I have the need to create things and express myself, to share what I create and to create a dialogue. I’m a provocateur, sometimes unintentionally. I’m constantly searching for ways for people to become aware of both the positive and negative sides of being human.

When I closed my dance company in New York, I was afraid my idealism had died. But when I met the dancers at Spectrum Dance Theatre, I fell in love with their sense of idealism – I got excited about the arts again and what dance might do. I was offered other jobs in larger organizations that were very seductive but I think my soul will probably be satisfied here.

My favorite part of being an artist in Seattle is working with the dancers at Spectrum. When I had my own company in New York, lots of remarkable talent showed up at my door already formed. In Seattle, I get the opportunity to not only fi nd the talent and to nurture it, but to offer the benefi t of my experience. I find that extremely satisfying.

When I first took over as artistic director of Spectrum, I was surprised at how difficult it was. I expected that I’d show up and find a community and an audience that had an interest in the vision I had already in place. This is not the case. So I have to make more of a case for my ideas and to encourage a great deal of dialogue.

I believe that the arts – and dance in particular – should move from the periphery of the community’s activities to the center. The arts should be integral in all civic dialogues concerning what makes and contributes to a healthy community. Art should be part of the solution to the myriad challenges that we face today.”