Pictured: WOU dance majors Olivia Robbins and Christine Anders
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s Darryl Thomas, professor of Dance, is the co-artistic director, alongside Valerie Bergman, of a local professional dance company called Rainbow Dance Theatre.
The dance company is associated with Western and local to Polk County, offering world-class choreography and cutting-edge technology. The shows feature extraordinary performances, including wearable electronic costumes, props, and puppets. These performances aim to ignite excitement and curiosity about the technological components of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) learning and push the boundaries of what is possible in contemporary dance.
“Rainbow Dance Theatre provides an unparalleled bridge between academic training and the real demands of professional performance for WOU’s dance majors and alumni,” says Thomas. “By offering hands-on internships, potential job openings, and exposure to professional expectations, we empower emerging dancers to refine their craft and gain confidence, while enriching the Monmouth community by showcasing its homegrown talent.”
Their latest performance, “The Princess and the Wind,” was on April 13, which highlighted exceptional talent, including Western alumni Madison Malveaux, Moises Martinez Trejo, Tessa Rosenau, Seth Ellingsworth, and Alanna Volk, alongside current dance majors Christine Anders and Olivia Robbins.
Audiences experienced Rainbow Dance Theatre’s signature lyrically athletic choreography and dynamic non-traditional partnering. Additional performance highlights include a mesmerizing duet on hoverboards, a breathtaking aerial solo performed on Lyra, and dazzling LED costuming, all woven together beautifully by the haunting live musical accompaniment of the Salem Symphonic Winds.
“Being involved with Rainbow Dance Theater has provided me with new experiences in diverse dance styles such as Partnering, African, and various Modern techniques,” shares Christine Anders, a current business and dance major. “We are encouraged to take original phrases of movement and adapt them according to the vision of our rehearsal director. As a student, these collaborative and creative problem-solving skills will be useful in my later career, whether that be in a dance space or the business field.”
A special excerpt of this performance will be showcased at Western’s Annual Spring Dance concert. This year, concerts will be from May 8 to 10. Get tickets.
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.
