Oberlin Dance

Collective

By: Kelsee Reynolds p.5

Biography
ODC is a contemporary dance and arts
organization founded in 1971 by the artistic
director Brenda Way , KT Nelson, Kimi Okada.
ODC started at Oberlin College in Ohio but relocated
in San Francisco with 16 artists from a variety of
styles of dance
In 1979 ODC became the first dance company in
America to build its own facility, Dance Common
which includes the ODC/dance, its contemporary
dance company, ODC Theater, ODC School, and
the Healthy Dancers' Clinic

About the Artistic

Directors
Brenda
Way
Creator of ODC theater and dance common
Choreographed more than 80 pieces over the last 43
years
Way was named NEA American Masterpiece in 2011
Isadora Duncan Dance Awards for both
choreography and achievements
Received the Helen Crocker Russell Award for
Community Leadership from the SF Foundation

About the Artistic

Directors

KT Nelson

Co-Artistic Director
Founded the ODC Dance Jam
Directed the Companys first full length family ballet, The
Velveteen Rabbit
Nelson has been awarded the Isadora Duncan award
four times for Outstanding Performance, Outstanding
Choreography, and for Sustained Achievement.
Been awarded the Daisy Award and the California
Educators Artists Award.

About the Artistic

Directors

Kimi Okada

ODC Associate Choreographer

25 choreographed works for ODC/Dance, as well as
commissions and collaborations
She was nominated for a Tony award for the Broadway
production of Largely New York
she co-directs ODC's teen company and youth division

ODC Dance
Common
Offers 250 classes per week
Rhythm & Motion partnered with ODC School it is a
dance-based workout class for everyone no matter
what level.
The ODC School offer tap, modern, ballet,
contemporary, Pilates, samba, and many more.

ODC Dance
Company
The company contains of 11 dancers.
ODC is known worldwide for its athleticism, passion
and intellectual depth
Recognized for ballet and modern techniques and
for its numerous collaborations with composers
Appearances at the Joyce Theater in New York
ODC annual productions are Dance Downtown
and The Velveteen Rabbit

Awards
ODCs three resident choreographers--Brenda Way,
KT Nelson, and Kimi Okada received the NEA
American Masterpiece Award
2 Nureyev Awards
San Francisco Examiner Golden Slipper Award
Tony nomination

Cheese

Significance and Personal

Statement
ODC is important because it is not just a
secluded company but that its for everyone.
They are open to the community who are
young and old. I like this company because
they welcome all type of levels a chance to
enjoy and learn dance. I also admire that they
teach different types of dance versus just one
style.

Videos
https://vimeo.com/92558693
https://vimeo.com/43682569

https://vimeo.com/63278014

Quiz
1. Who were the artistic directors?
1. What award do the artistic directors have in common?
3. Whats special about this company?
4. What technique are they know for?

5. What piece do they do every year?

Quiz
1.

1.

3.

4.

5.

Who were the artistic directors?

Brenda Way , KT Nelson, Kimi Okada
What award do the artistic directors have in common?
received the NEA American Masterpiece Award
Whats special about this company?

that its for everyone

What technique are they know for?
Recognized for ballet and modern techniques
What piece do they do every year?
Dance Downtown and The Velveteen Rabbit.

Show dates &

Involve
Shows
Velveteen Rabbit November 28- December 14

To get involved you can go to their website and apply for

their summer intensive or take the classes.

Reference
http://www.odcdance.org/dancecompany.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brenda_Way
http://www.artandculture.com/users/985-odcdance#more
http://www.dancemagazine.com/issues/April2005/ODC-Dance