Business Details
35 Years
experience
Contemporary Dance Performances & Education in Hartford, CT
Founded in 1991, Sonia Plumb Dance (SPDC) has dedicated over three decades to enriching, educating, and inspiring communities through innovative contemporary-modern dance. Our mission extends beyond performance, encompassing educational programs, community outreach, and collaborations with artists across disciplines. We prioritize accessibility, offering free and low-cost opportunities to ensure dance is inclusive for all ages, abilities, and income levels. Our repertoire addresses societal issues, blending vivid choreography, storytelling, and technology to create immersive experiences. With a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we actively counter systemic barriers in hiring, programming, and community engagement.Our work spans stages, classrooms, parks, and digital platforms, reaching audiences across the Northeast and beyond. Recognized for our artistic excellence, weve premiered over 30 original productions, including *The Cure(d)* and *The Sound of Migration*, while fostering partnerships with institutions like The Bushnell Performing Arts Center. Our educational initiatives, such as *Active Bodies/Active Minds* for children on the autism spectrum, reflect our belief in dance as a transformative tool. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, we rely on donations and grants to sustain our mission, ensuring dance remains a vibrant, accessible art form for future generations.
Services
Contemporary Dance Performances
Dance Workshops
Community Outreach Programs
Arts Integration Residencies
Digital Dance Projects
Educational Programs
Aerial Dance Classes
Autism Spectrum Dance Classes
Choreography Services
Performance Rentals
Details
- Year established: 1991
Highlights and features
- 30+ years of innovative contemporary dance experience
- Dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all programs
- Community-focused outreach and educational initiatives
- Award-winning performances blending technology and artistry
- Collaborations with renowned institutions like The Bushnell
Services
Contemporary Dance Performances
Our contemporary-modern dance performances blend storytelling, technology, and live music to address societal themes. Each production, like *The Sound of Migration*, combines choreography with AI and digital projections to inspire eco-activism and dialogue. Designed for diverse audiences, these performances challenge norms and celebrate creativity through immersive, multidisciplinary art.
Dance Education Programs
We offer dance education for all ages and abilities, including specialized classes like *Active Bodies/Active Minds* for children on the autism spectrum. Our programs emphasize accessibility, with free and low-cost options, and focus on fostering creativity, physical health, and community connection through structured instruction and workshops.
Community Outreach Initiatives
Our outreach initiatives bring dance to underserved communities through free performances, workshops, and partnerships with schools and nonprofits. We prioritize equity, ensuring marginalized groups access to dance education and cultural experiences, while collaborating with local organizations to address systemic barriers in the arts.
Digital Dance Projects
Digital dance projects like *Bushnell Digital Dance* merge choreography with digital mapping and underwater sequences to create innovative virtual experiences. These projects expand our reach, allowing global audiences to engage with our work through streaming platforms and interactive technology.
Arts Integration Residencies
Our arts integration residencies partner with schools to incorporate dance into curricula, enhancing learning through movement. These programs, like *Hartford Performs*, provide hands-on experiences that improve student engagement, creativity, and understanding of interdisciplinary connections in the arts and academics.
People
Sonia Plumb
Founder, Artistic Director, Dancer & Choreographer
Sonia Plumb founded SPDC in 1991 after graduating from Trinity College. With decades of experience in choreography and dance education, she leads the companys creative vision, blending contemporary dance with social themes to inspire audiences and communities.
Asher Taylor-Dawson
Dancer & Artist Instructor
Asher Taylor-Dawson is a versatile dancer and aerialist with SPDC, performing contemporary and classical roles. Raised in Connecticut, he brings technical expertise and artistic innovation to the companys productions and educational programs.
Craig Gehr
Technical Director/Lighting Designer
Craig Gehr has served as SPDCs Technical Director since 2000. With experience working for high-profile events and figures, he ensures seamless technical execution for performances, enhancing the artistic vision through lighting and stage design.
Gabrielle Rodriguez
Marketing Associate
Gabrielle Rodriguez manages SPDCs marketing efforts, leveraging her arts leadership background. A graduate of Iona University, she promotes the companys mission through strategic outreach and digital campaigns to expand audience engagement.
Questions
What types of dance classes do you offer?
We offer contemporary-modern dance classes, aerial dance, and specialized programs like *Active Bodies/Active Minds* for children on the autism spectrum.
How can I support your mission?
Support us through donations, which fund performances, educational programs, and community outreach initiatives that make dance accessible to all.
Do you collaborate with other artists?
Yes, we collaborate with musicians, composers, puppeteers, poets, and institutions like The Bushnell Performing Arts Center for innovative projects.
Are performances accessible to diverse audiences?
We prioritize accessibility, offering free and low-cost tickets, digital streaming, and inclusive programming for all abilities and income levels.
What community initiatives do you lead?
Our initiatives include arts integration residencies, workshops, and partnerships with schools and organizations to promote dance education and equity.
