Nicole Rizzo has been studying dance and theatre since childhood. She is a native of Berkshire Dance Theatre and then went on to study at Circle In The Square Theatre School in NYC with a concentration in theatre and dance.

In New York, Nicole danced in various theatre and dance shows which included the New York Fringe Festival where she was featured in the New York Times.  She later moved to Los Angeles to pursue her career and was asked to choreograph The Pointer Sister at the famous Henry Fonda Theatre for the City of Hope Foundation.

Nicole currently choreographs, directs and performs in her own cabaret troupe in addition to teaching. She has taught dance and movement workshops for the renown Wanderlust Festival and Bang On a Can at Mass Moca.  Nicole also teaches theater workshops at Mt. Greylock High School and Minerva Arts Center.  Nicole is thrilled to be sharing her love of dance and theatre to the BDT community.

Elizabeth Malinowski, age 10

For details on the new venue, please visit the ’62 Center website: here

This year’s show is appropriately titled, JUBILEE!, as BDT celebrates 30 years as a nonprofit and as a staple in the dance community.  Dance has certainly been an important part of ceremony, rituals, celebrations, and entertainment since before the birth of the earliest forms of human civilization. The theme for this year’s show, the Evolution of Dance, was chosen under the color of thought that it’s important to educate our dancers on how the various genres of dance have progressed and also to heighten their awareness of the impact the art form has had within our society.  Moreover, this is an opportunity to exhibit and create an awareness of the inherent relationship amongst various forms of dance.  Finally, this year’s show will commemorate BDT’s growth as an organization and the individual development of our dancers through the years.  JUBILEE! promises to deliver a wide range of amazing performances that will be at the core of great memories for many families and community members.  Trust us – YOU want to be there!  Get your tickets now and witness our contribution to the history of dance.

Important Annual Production Dates and Times:

• April 9^th:  Tickets for JUBILEE go on sale online to BDT members at 7:00pm
• April 16^th-21^st:  School Vacation – Some classes/rehearsals may be held
• April 16^th :  Tickets for JUBILEE! go on sale online and by phone to the general public
• April 20^th:  All tuition in fees must be paid in full by this date to participate in JUBILEE!
• April 30^th:  Scholarship Application Deadline
•  May 7^th-12^th:  Tech Week at the ’62 Center for Dance & Theatre (see Tech Week Schedule here)
• May 14^th-17^th:  Mandatory Dress Rehearsals at the ’62 Center for Dance & Theatre (see Dress Rehearsal Schedule here)
• May 18^th:  Friday Evening Performance of JUBILEE! at 7:00pm (Adams & Williamstown Level I-V class & Company)
• May 19^th :  Saturday Matinee Performance of JUBILEE! at 2:00pm (Adams & Williamstown Children’s Classes,                                                              Class Leaders & Company)
• May 19^th :  Saturday Evening Performance of JUBILEE! at 7:00pm (Adams & Williamstown Level I-V Classes &                                                             Company)
• May 20^th :  Sunday Matinee Performance of JUBILEE!  at 2:00pm  (All Bennington Classes)

ALL Tech Week Classes, Dress Rehearsal, & Performances are at the

’62 Center for Dance & Theatre, 1000 Main St, Williamstown, MA

Be Sure that All Dates Pertaining to Your Dancer(s) Are Marked on Your Calendar NOW!

Adult Jazz with Fran Steinert- begins Wednesday, November 30th, 6:30-7:15

Adult Hip Hop with Jamal Ahamad and Becky Clemons- begins Thursday, December 1st, 7:30-8:30

Both classes will focus on introductory levels of the various styles of jazz and hip hop.  No previous dance experience required, just be prepared to move and have fun!  Please contact the office at 413-743-4645 for more information and to register! Don’t miss out on the fun- come try a class!

Dance Faculty – Hip Hop

BA Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, MA

Becky graduated in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in English/Communications from MCLA in North Adams, MA.  She taught advanced hip hop at Karen’s School of Dance in Adams, MA.  She is also former co-president, choreographer, and lead dancer of MCLA’s Dance Company.  She was an active member of NeXXus, MCLA’s step team, and has learned to teach, choreograph and perform the art of step-dancing.  She has been heavily involved in fundraising for organizations such as The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and The Jimmy Fund.  She is currently the Assistant Choreographer for The Jimmy Fund’s annual benefit performance entitiled, “Romance Soul and Rock ‘N’ Roll”.  She is a seasonal employee at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and viewed the majority of their 2011 summer program.  She has studied different styles of dance through MCLA Dance Company such as ballet, tap, jazz, modern, African, break-dancing, and many other forms of hip hop.

Fran Steinert formally trained with Fred Benjamin, Lynn Simonson, Ann Reinking, Pat Hall, Richard Gonzalaz and various members of the Paul Taylor Dance Company. More noteworthy, however, was her training at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and Luigi Jazz Center. At the same time she traveled extensively throughout the U.S. to choreograph and give artistic direction to the most prestigious pre-teen and teen talent shows in the country.

Fran is also a national champion of competitions in Latin and Ballroom dance styles. She has taught in many dance schools in Berkshire County and New York State. After nearly 10 years of professionally teaching dance, her dedication to dance education inspired her to create the Flowering Child Performing Arts Program at Eden Hill in Stockbridge, MA, now known as Berkshire Pulse. She has reached out further into the community with teaching residencies and workshops, and performing arts camps throughout Berkshire County. Currently, she is choreographing the Barrington Stage Company, Kids Act Summer Camp.

Fran Steinert is founder, artistic director, and principal choreographer of DanceCo.Caliente which offers its students an extensive Modern Jazz dance education program and community outreach and arts in education program throughout Berkshire County. DanceCo.Caliente has a very popular Afro Cuban/Latin Dance and Percussion Group, Dance & Drum Co.Caliente. Dance & DrumCo.Caliente’s success has come from fundraisers, private parties, performances, demonstrations and special events.  Berkshire Dance Theatre is happy to welcome Fran to our faculty for her first year at BDT!

This year, we are incorporating demos and sample classes, giving young students the opportunity to explore and experience our spaces and dance, offer shopping options for dance and gym wear, enjoy refreshments and free giveaways, and have a relaxing and welcoming time in our studios.

Bennington – Tuesday, 8/23

4:00 doors open

4:15 Gymnastics demonstration

4:30 Open gym class

5:00 open children’s class with Naina

5:30 open musical theatre class with Kathleen

6:30 open hip hop class with Jamal

7:00 open Alexander Technique class with Naina

8:00 end of Open House

Adams – Thursday, 8/25

4:00 doors open

4:00 Hoop Dance with Stefanie

5:00 Gymnastics demonstration

5:15 Open gym class

5:30 open children’s class with Naina

6:00 open musical theatre class with Kathleen

7:00 open hip hop class with Jamal

7:30 open Alexander Technique class with Naina

8:00 end of Open House

Williamstown – Monday, 8/29

4:00 doors open

4:15 open children’s class with Olivia

5:00 open hip hop class with Jamal

5:30 open musical theatre class with Kathleen

7:00 End of Open House

Erica started dancing at BDT when she was six years old and continued dancing through her freshmen year of high school. She studied Tap, Jazz, Modern, Ballet and Pointe. Many years later she came back to BDT and joined the Adult Jazz class and also joined a local gym where she was given the opportunity to further her love for music, movement, and fitness by becoming a ZUMBA^® Fitness Instructor and LES MILLS BODYFLOW® Instructor. She currently teaches ZUMBA^® Fitness classes and LES MILLS BODYFLOW® classes at Fitness Now located within Anytime Fitness in Bennington, VT.

Over the past years, she has begun to share her love of dance through teaching and is very excited to begin teaching ballet at BDT.