(light music) - Repertory Dance Theater marks 60 years of innovation with "EMERGE," a showcase of choreography by its dancers and staff.

Here with more information is Director Emerita Linda C. Smith.

Hi, Linda.

- Hi.

(Laura chuckling) Thank you for having us.

- Yes.

- On the program.

We love to talk about RDT.

- Yeah, well, good.

Well, I'm glad you're here to talk about it.

I was just saying, I love seeing you as the spokesperson.

You have evolved beyond- (Linda chuckling) your more administrative duties with the company.

- There's always fun things to do at Repertory Dance Theater, and especially the 60th anniversary.

We're trying to really make people aware of what we do for the community, what we've done for all that time.

And one of the things that we're proud of is that we nurture the art of dance, the art of choreography with our performers.

So our dancers are teachers, performers, and choreographers, and so "EMERGE" is all about giving them the opportunity to show their work.

- Yeah, this is a great showcase for people who, you know, usually are performing other people's work, and that's wonderful.

- And then we involve the community.

So we have lots of performers from the community, and it's really a wonderful celebration.

- So why do you, why "EMERGE?"

Why do you call it "EMERGE?"

- Well, those artistic voices are emerging.

And someday, maybe many of them will have their own companies, or direct companies, or have a life in dance that has a long span.

So we give them the opportunity to build their careers and their abilities in many ways.

- Well, that's wonderful.

So have you seen some previews of some of these dances yet?

- Well, I'm actually doing a piece this year.

- You are, yeah.

- And to celebrate the 60th anniversary, I've taken 60 choreographers' themes of those pieces, and they'll be performed, and it'll celebrate our longevity.

- Well, how wonderful.

I'm so glad you have a piece on the program, and thank you for being here to tell us about it.

- Thank you.

- If you would like to learn more about "EMERGE," celebrating RDT's 60th anniversary, it's happening January 9th through the 10th.

You can learn more at rdtutah.org.

Rdtutah.org.

(light music) I'm Laura.

Thank you for watching "Contact."

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