GMDT Celebrates 55 Seasons

Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre, formerly Ruth Mitchell Dance, opened its 55th season with the show "55" on Saturday. "55" is a mixed reparatory show filled with athleticism, grace and technology.

The show had seven male dancers, professional choreographers, the Kennesaw State University Dance Program and local professional musicians, according to a press release.

Choreographer Alexis Viator, a professional dancer with Koresh Dance Company out of Philadelphia, presented her third work with the company. 

New choreographer Raul Peinado set his first work on the theatre. Peinado has been performing professionally with the theatre for many years. He tried his hand at choreography on professional and student dancers with a classical work in Saturday and Sunday's performances.

Also, local choreographer Cindy Mora, who teaches at Pebblebrook High School, set a new high energy piece on the dancers.

The last work of the program, "Material Universe," was choreographed by director Lisa Toups and assistant director Shelley S. Grames.

Toups and Grames worked with composer Reid Willis to come up with a score based on the elements. Live music and the use of technology added another level of depth to the piece.

The Kennesaw State University Dance Program took the stage with GMDT at ’s Jennie T. Anderson Theatre Saturday and Sunday.