Header showing old photos of Dance Council performers, show descriptions, and white house letter in the form of polaroids

Pittsburgh Dance Council History

This year, the Pittsburgh Dance Council celebrates its 50th season as a presenter of contemporary dance programming in the Cultural District. Founded in 1969, the Pittsburgh Dance Council became a programming division of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust in 2002, and has supported more than one thousand local, national, and international dancers, choreographers and dance companies by hosting their performances in Pittsburgh. Listed below is the Pittsburgh Dance Council’s diverse and distinguished presenting history. We hope you share in our fond memories of seeing these world-class contemporary dance companies right here in Pittsburgh.

The Early Years

1969 - 1980

1st Season

1969 - 1970

  • Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
  • Pennsylvania Ballet

2nd Season

1970 - 1971

  • Merce Cunningham Dance Company
  • Pennsylvania Ballet

3rd Season

1971 - 1972

  • Paul Taylor Dance Company
  • Pennsylvania Ballet

4th Season

1972 - 1973

  • Martha Graham Dance Company
  • Pennsylvania Ballet

5th Season

1974 - 1975

  • Utah Repertory Dance Theatre
  • Murray Louis Dance Company
  • George Faison Universal Dance Experience
  • Pennsylvania Ballet
  • Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
  • The Ohio Chamber Ballet

6th Season

1975 - 1976

  • George Faison Universal Dance Experience
  • Eliot Feld Ballet
  • Paul Taylor Dance Company
  • Pilobolus
  • Pennsylvania Ballet

7th Season

1976 - 1977

  • Ballet Folklorico de Mexico
  • Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
  • Nikolais Dance Theatre
  • Pennsylvania Ballet
  • Bottom of the Bucket
  • Dan Wagoner and Dancers
  • Phyllis Lamhut Dance Company

8th Season

1977 - 1978

  • Paul Taylor Dance Company
  • Pennsylvania Ballet
  • Stars from ABT, NYC Ballet and Friends
  • Eleo Pomare Dance Company
  • Louis Falco Dance Company
  • Soviet Georgian Dancers

9th Season

1978 - 1979

  • Martha Graham Dance Company
  • Murray Louis Dance Company
  • Alwin Nikolais Dance Theatre
  • Bat Dor Dance Company of Israel
  • Festival of Russian Dance
  • 5 by 2 plus (a modern dance repertory co.)
  • Viola Farber Dance Company

10th Season

1979 - 1980

  • Twyla Tharp Dancers and Dances
  • Pennsylvania Ballet
  • Kathryn Posin Dance Company
  • American Dance Machine
  • Don Redlich Dance Company
  • Murray Louis Dance Company
  • Umbrella Series (featuring emerging PGH artists)

 

Twenty Years of Dance

1980 - 1990

11th Season

1980 - 1981

  • Twyla Tharp Dancers and Dances
  • Pennsylvania Ballet
  • Kathryn Posin Dance Company
  • American Dance Machine
  • Don Redlich Dance Company
  • Umbrella Series (featuring emerging PGH artists)

12th Season

1981 - 1982

  • Paul Taylor Dance Company
  • The Joffrey Ballet
  • Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company
  • Sara Rudner Performance Ensemble
  • David Gordon/Pick Up Company
  • Umbrella Series (featuring emerging PGH artists)

13th Season

1982 - 1983

  • Pilobolus
  • Laura Dean Dancers and Musicians
  • Twyla Tharp Dance Company
  • Harry/Senta Diver
  • Charles Moulton and Company
  • Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company
  • Signature Showcase of Dance

14th Season

1983 - 1984

  • Merce Cunningham Dance Company
  • Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
  • Alwin Nikolais Dance Theatre
  • MOMIX
  • Kei Takei's Moving Earth Dance Company
  • Gail Conrad Tap Dance Theater
  • Choreographers' Continuum

15th Season

1984 - 1985

  • Foolsfire (M. Moschen, B. Berky & F. Garbo)
  • Ohad Naharin
  • Utah Repertory Dance Theatre
  • The Feld Ballet
  • Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal
  • Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
  • Choreographers' Continuum II

16th Season

1985 - 1986

  • Mark Morris Dance Group
  • Margie Gillis
  • Mitchell Rose and Diane Epstein
  • Murray Louis Dance Co. w/Dave Brubeck Quartet
  • Netherlands Dance Theatre Jr. Touring Co.
  • Sankai Juku
  • Choreographers' Continuum III

17th Season

1986 - 1987

  • Momix
  • Bebe Miller and Company
  • Erick Hawkins Dance Company
  • Bella Lewitzky Dance Company
  • Hubbard Street Dance Company
  • North Carolina Dance Theater
  • Choreographers' Continuum IV

18th Season

1987 - 1988

  • Pilar Rioja
  • Pooh Kaye/Eccentric Motions
  • Annabelle Gamson/Dance Solos
  • Nikolais Dance Theatre
  • Dance Theatre of Harlem
  • Jazz Tap Ensemble
  • Choreographers' Continuum V

19th Season

1988 - 1989

  • Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company
  • The Adaptors/Movement Theatre
  • Liz Lerman/Dance Exchange
  • Victoria Marks Performance Company
  • Martha Graham Dance Company
  • Laura Dean Dancers and Musicians
  • Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
  • Frankfurt Ballet
  • Choreographers' Continuum VI

20th Season

1989 - 1990

  • Angelika Oei
  • ISO and The Bobs
  • P.S. 122 "Field Trips"
  • Pilobolus with New Music Ensemble
  • Jennifer Muller/The Works
  • Lyon Opera Ballet
  • The Lar Lubovitch Dance Company
  • Ralph Lemon and Company
  • Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater
  • Choreographers' Continuum VII

 

Thirty Years of Dance

1990 - 2000

21st Season

1990 - 1991

  • Sankai Juku
  • Paul Taylor Dance Company
  • Trisha Brown Company
  • Feld Ballets/NY
  • David Gordon Pick Up Company
  • Pilar Rioja
  • Robert Davidson Dance Company
  • Doug Elkins Dance Company
  • Nucleodanza
  • Choreographers' Continuum VIII

22nd Season

1991 - 1992

  • Miami City Ballet
  • Phoenix Dance Company
  • Ballet Hispanico
  • Limon Dance Company
  • Kodo Drummers
  • Liz Lerman/Dance Exchange
  • Hubbard Street Dance Company
  • Maureen Fleming
  • Choreographers' Continuum IX

23rd Season

1992 - 1993

  • Lyon Opera Ballet
  • American Indian Dance Theater
  • Carbone 14
  • Tharp & Baryshnikov
  • Victoria Marks Performance Company
  • Mark Morris Dance Group
  • Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
  • Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
  • Ilka Doubek & Anahi Galante
  • Choreographers' Continuum X

24th Season

1993 - 1994

  • Sankai Juku
  • Amanda Miller Pretty/Ugly Company
  • Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company
  • The Joffrey Ballet
  • Eiko & Koma w/Dance Alloy
  • Nikolais/Louis Dance Company
  • Joe Chvala & The Flying Foot Forum
  • Lewitzky Dance Company
  • Gabri Christa
  • Choreographers' Continuum XI

25th Season

1994 - 1995

  • Merce Cunningham Dance Company
  • Philadanco
  • Marie Chouinard
  • STOMP
  • Dance Theatre of Harlem
  • The Hittite Empire
  • Carlota Santana Spanish Dance Company
  • Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company
  • Choreographers' Continuum XII

26th Season

1995 - 1996

  • O Vertigo Danse
  • Le Carre des Lombes
  • Rhythm in Shoes
  • Bebe Miller Dance Company
  • Mark Morris Dance Group
  • Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
  • David Dorfman/The Family Project
  • Maureen Fleming/David Parsons Project
  • Fondation Jean-Pierre Perreault
  • Meredith Monk
  • Choreographers' Continuum XIII

27th Season

1996 - 1997

  • Pilobolus
  • Sankai Juku
  • Twyla Tharp/Tharp!
  • Eiko & Koma
  • Jam on the Groove
  • Kodo Drummers
  • Philadanco
  • Donald Byrd/The Group
  • Lilly, Latsky, Curran
  • Dance Festival
  • What's Left Festival
  • Choreographers' Continuum XIV

28th Season

1997 - 1998

  • Philip Glass
  • Ballet Hispanico
  • H Art Chaos
  • Merce Cunningham
  • The Harlem Nutcracker (Donald Byrd)
  • Mark Morris Dance Group
  • American Indian Dance Theate
  • Butoh-Sha Tenkei
  • Margaret Jenkins
  • Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater
  • Philadanco (Greensburg)
  • Choreographers' Continuum XV

29th Season

1998 - 1999

  • Ballet Preljocaj
  • Trisha Brown Company
  • Dos Alas "Two Wings"
  • Dallas Black Dance Theater "Porgy & Bess"
  • Kim Itoh + the Glorious Future
  • Pilobolus
  • Meryl Tankard Australian Dance Theater
  • David Parsons Dance Company
  • Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
  • Eiko & Koma "River" (Sandcastle)
  • Choreographers' Continuum XVI

30th Season

1999 - 2000

  • Lyon Opera Ballet "Carmen"
  • Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker (Hunt Armory)
  • Philadanco
  • Martha Graham Dance Company
  • Kodo Drummers
  • Paul Taylor Dance Company
  • Lula Washington Dance Theatre
  • la la la Human Steps

 

Forty Years of Dance

2000 - 2010

31st Season

2000 - 2001

  • MOMIX "Baseball"
  • Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company
  • White Oak Dance Project (Baryshnikov)
  • Stephen Petronio Dance Company
  • Rennie Harris Puremovement "Rome & Jewels"
  • Dance Theatre of Harlem
  • Tango Mujer
  • Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo

32nd Season

2001 - 2002

  • Washington Ballet
  • Susan Marshall & Company
  • Shaolin Warriors
  • Nrityagram Dance Ensemble of India
  • Compagnie Maguy Marin
  • David Parsons Dance Company
  • Gregory Hines

33rd Season

2002 - 2003

  • Sankai Juku
  • Dance Alloy
  • Mark Morris Dance Group
  • Ballet Biarritz
  • Ballet Preljocaj
  • Pilobolus
  • Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
  • Grupo Corpo Brazilian Dance Theater
  • Streb

34th Season

2003 - 2004

  • Noche Flamenca
  • George Piper Dances Presents Ballet Boyz
  • dumb type
  • Compagnie Marie Chouinard
  • Nederlands Dans Theater
  • Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal
  • O Vertigo

35th Season

2004 - 2005

  • Pennsylvania Ballet (special presentation)
  • Pappa TARAHUMARA
  • Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal
  • Doug Varone
  • DanceBrazil
  • Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
  • Israel Contemporary Dance Theater
  • Savion Glover

36th Season

2005 - 2006

  • LINES Contemporary Ballet
  • Limon Dance Company
  • Danzahoy
  • Tero Saarinen Company
  • Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company
  • Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre

37th Season

2006 - 2007

  • Paul Taylor Dance Company
  • Random Dance
  • Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
  • Joffrey Ballet
  • Sydney Dance Company
  • Emio Greco / PC

38th Season

2007 - 2008

  • Circus Oz
  • Lucy Guerin Inc.
  • Chunky Move
  • Urban Bush Women/Jant-Bi
  • Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
  • Emanuel Gat Dance
  • Ultima Vez

39th Season

2008 - 2009

  • Ballet Maribor "Radio & Juliet"
  • Inbal Pinto "Shaker"
  • Doug Varone & Dancers
  • Batsheva Dance Company
  • Ballet Boyz
  • Compagnie Marie Chouinard
  • Ronald K. Brown/Evidence 

40th Season

2009 - 2010

  • Kidd Pivot "Lost Action"
  • Margaret Jenkins Dance Co./Quandong Modern Dance Co. "Other Suns"
  • Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
  • Complexions
  • BJM Danse
  • Vincent Dance Theatre "Broken Chords"

 

Fifty Years of Dance

2010 - 2020

41st Season

2010 - 2011

  • Pascal Rioult (program includes Ravel's Bolero)
  • Pilobolus 
  • Stephen Petronio Company
  • Tango Fire 
  • Ballet Hispanico
  • David Dorfman Dance: Prophets of Funk

42nd Season

2011 - 2012

  • Momix
  • Heidi Latsky Dance in GIMP 
  • Paul Taylor Dance Company
  • Dance Works Rotterdam/Andre Gingras
  • Armitage Gone! Dance
  • Last Touch First 
  • Lar Lubovitch Dance Company

43rd Season

2012 - 2013

  • STREB
  • Akram Khan Company
  • Kyle Abraham/Abraham.In.Motion
  • Black Grace
  • Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
  • Mark Morris Dance Group

44th Season

2013 - 2014

  • Compagnie Marie Chouinard 
  • Zimmerman & de Perrot 
  • Compagnie Kafig
  • Ballet du Grand Theatre de Geneve
  • Wendy Whelan Project
  • Wayne McGregor/Random Dance

45th Season

2014 - 2015

  • Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
  • Michael Clark Company 
  • Ronald K. Brown Evidence
  • Union Tanguera 
  • Pontus Lidberg Dance 
  • Scottish Ballet 
  • Special event: Ira Glass and Monica Bill Barnes Company 

46th Season

2015 - 2016

  • Nrityagram Dance Ensemble
  • Aakash Odedra Company
  • Dada Masilo's Swan Lake
  • Louise Lecavalier / Fou glorieux
  • Dorrance Dance
  • Stephen Petronio Company
  • Philadanco 
  • Ailey II 
  • Urban Bush Women 

47th Season

2016 - 2017

  • Martha Graham Dance Company
  • Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company 
  • Pilobolus 
  • Bereishit Dance Company
  • Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre & Dance Theatre of Harlem 
  • BJM Danse

48th Season

2017 - 2018

  • Blue Lapis Light 
  • Alonzo King LINES Ballet
  • Kyle Abraham/Abraham.In.Motion 
  • Grupo Corpo
  • DIAVOLO
  • Wang Ramirez
  • BODYTRAFFIC

49th Season

2018 - 2019

  • Deborah Colker 
  • Yabin Wang 
  • Jessica Lang Dance
  • Paul Taylor Dance Company
  • Camille A. Brown & Dancers
  • Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo

50th Season

2019 - 2020

  • Origami 
  • Un poyo rojo
  • MOMIX
  • ODC/Dance with the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh
  • Sarah Reich
  • Malpaso Dance Company, an associate company of Joyce Theater Productions
  • Rocío Molina 
  • Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Presenting Sponsor BNY Mellon