American Dance Festival

American Dance Festival Home of an Art Form

ADF’s programs are developed based on its mission: to encourage and support the creation and presentation of new modern dance work by both established and emerging choreographers, to preserve our modern dance heritage through continued presentation of classic works as well as through archival efforts, to build wider national and international audiences for modern dance, to enhance public understan

ding and appreciation of the art form and its cultural and historical significance, to provide a sound scientific and aesthetic base for professional education and training of young dancers, and to maintain a forum for integrating and disseminating information on dance education.

*adding 'what I've been looking for' (Ryan & Sharpay version) to the queue*📸 Ben McKeown
08/31/2026

*adding 'what I've been looking for' (Ryan & Sharpay version) to the queue*

📸 Ben McKeown

This past summer, we were honored to posthumously recognize Glenna Batson, Carla Lena Maxwell, and Dan Wagoner with the ...
08/28/2026

This past summer, we were honored to posthumously recognize Glenna Batson, Carla Lena Maxwell, and Dan Wagoner with the 2026 American Dance Festival Distinguished Teaching Award.

Kurt Douglas, former Limón Dance Company dancer and current faculty member with the Limón for Kids Program and the Limón Institute, led a class rooted in the teachings of Carla, exploring the principles and artistry that have shaped generations of Limón dancers. Carla danced many major roles with the company, including the title role in "Carlota", Limón’s final ballet, which he choreographed for her. For nearly 40 years, she forged a path for how modern dance troupes can endure beyond the death of their founders.

Did you know Carla or experience her work? Share a memory, lesson, or something her legacy has taught you in the comments💚

📸: Ben McKeown

Adding towel origami to our resume🦢
08/26/2026

Adding towel origami to our resume🦢

ICR '26 babies/festivities 🤗
08/25/2026

ICR '26 babies/festivities 🤗

This past summer, we were honored to posthumously recognize Glenna Batson, Carla Lena Maxwell, and Dan Wagoner with the ...
08/24/2026

This past summer, we were honored to posthumously recognize Glenna Batson, Carla Lena Maxwell, and Dan Wagoner with the 2026 American Dance Festival Distinguished Teaching Award.

In celebration of Dan's extraordinary legacy, Nile H. Russell and Gerri Houlihan co-taught a class celebrating his teachings. As an educator, Dan was beloved by students from his years at the University of California-Los Angeles, Connecticut College, and Florida State University. He was known to say to his students, “Dancers, you always need to know where your pelvis is… and that’s a life lesson!” Sometimes followed by an impish wink. He is remembered and cherished by many who had the great fortune to know and love him.

Did you know Dan or experience his work? Share a memory, lesson, or something his legacy has taught you in the comments💚

📸: Ben McKeown

Meet the artists of Made in NC! ⭐Tracey Durbin, now based in NC after 25 years as a central figure in Portland’s dance s...
08/22/2026

Meet the artists of Made in NC!

⭐Tracey Durbin, now based in NC after 25 years as a central figure in Portland’s dance scene, continues to shape the state’s artistic landscape through choreography, teaching, and collaborations with institutions such as the North Carolina Museum of Art.
⚡Pittsboro native Jabu Graybeal, an award-winning tap artist who trained with the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble, has performed with companies such as Caleb Teicher & Company and Michelle Dorrance, appeared in Apple TV+’s Spirited, and now shares his work with millions globally. He recently performed a tap duet with Kenji Igus on Netflix’s talent competition show Star Search.
🎭Courtney Liu, Director-Choreographer and Assistant Professor of Music Theatre at Elon University, merges Broadway experience with deep roots in NC’s academic and performance communities.
🩰Amanda K. Miller, founder of Pretty Ugly Dance Company and a former founding member of Ballet Frankfurt, brings decades of international experience to NC, where she works as a choreographer, opera director, and educator.

https://loom.ly/fL5hBmI

📷Photos by Ben McKeown
all along the watchtower by Tracey Durbin
Twenty Five by Jabu Graybeal
The 85% by Courtney Liu
Je Crois by Amanda K. Miller

Join us for Made in NC ✨ This program features four ADF-commissioned works by North Carolina artists!💥Program: New work...
08/21/2026

Join us for Made in NC ✨ This program features four ADF-commissioned works by North Carolina artists!

💥Program: New works by Tracey Durbin, Jabu Graybeal, Courtney Liu, & Amanda K. Miller | Co-presented with Cary, NC • ADF Debuts
📆 Saturday, September 26
🕐7:30-9:00 pm
📍Downtown Cary Park Great Lawn Pavilion
Tickets: FREE
https://loom.ly/fL5hBmI

08/20/2026

Dancer Atlas Hovdesven started dancing when he was 2 years old. He began studying contemporary dance in 2023 at Opus Performing Arts and began dance classes at Western in 2024. While combing the internet for summer intensive opportunities, Hovdesven found the American Dance Festival Internships at D...

Some moments from Rosie Herrera's repertory class during SDI💥 📸: Ben McKeown
08/19/2026

Some moments from Rosie Herrera's repertory class during SDI💥

📸: Ben McKeown

This past summer, we were honored to posthumously recognize Glenna Batson, Carla Lena Maxwell, and Dan Wagoner with the ...
08/18/2026

This past summer, we were honored to posthumously recognize Glenna Batson, Carla Lena Maxwell, and Dan Wagoner with the 2026 American Dance Festival Distinguished Teaching Award. In celebration of Glenna’s extraordinary legacy, longtime student and colleague Ray Eliot Schwartz led a class in the Ark inspired by her teachings. The class explored the intersections of dance, somatics, neuroscience, and rehabilitation—reflecting the rich, interdisciplinary tapestry Glenna wove throughout more than five decades of teaching, research, and practice.

Did you know Glenna or experience her work? Share a memory, lesson, or something her legacy has taught you in the comments💚

📸: Ben McKeown

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715 Broad Street
Durham, NC
27705

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Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
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