Thank you for your generous support over our 20+ year history of Chambersburg Ballet Theatre Company, Inc. Discover DanceWorks was formerly Chambersburg Ballet Theatre Company & Chambersburg Ballet Theatre Youth Company. Not to be confused with Chambersburgballet.org. We were incorporated in 2000 and have over 20 years of experience of providing ballet and other dance forms in Franklin County and
surrounding communities. In 2017 Chambersburg Ballet Theatre School severed all ties with Chambersburg Ballet Theatre Company. We no longer had a source of trained ballet dancers, nor the rights to choreography for ballet productions we had previously funded through donors such as you. At the same time several of our Board Members resigned as we no longer had the possibility of producing major ballet performances, which is where their interests lay. Those of us that remained on the Board had to re-vision our strategy, vision & mission. Due to our former name only incorporating ballet, and the potential for confusion with Chambersburg Ballet Theater School, we decided to broaden our scope and rebrand Chambersburg Ballet Theatre Company with a name that matched the change in our service to the community. Our intent was to become more inclusive and not to only focus on the exclusivity of ballet. We chose a name that included the discovery of different dance forms, and a statement of our working in the broader community as a double statement of producing “dance works” and the fact that “dance works” to the benefit of the community. To represent our broader mission, we chose Discover DanceWorks as our new brand and registered it with the Bureau of Charitable Organizations in 2019. We are still Chambersburg Ballet Theatre Youth Company, Inc for IRS tax exempt purposes. As a local charity we are dedicated to making dance performances, dancing and related art forms available in our communities, many of whom are underserved and under-reached. We are inclusive, transcending boundaries of race, age, abilities, mobility challenges, gender, social and economic position, making it possible to enjoy and appreciate all dance forms and other art as a universal form of self and group expression. We do this by presenting to the public a variety of dance, historical, educational & art programs intended to increase dance and art participation for fun, recreation & provide performance opportunities in dance productions for public audiences. We provide Latin, American Smooth & European ballroom, international folk dances, historical dances reconstructed from dance manuals of centuries past, traditional, and emerging dance forms, and when possible modern, romantic, classical and modern ballet classes and performance opportunities. We achieve this by contracting professional dance teachers, dancers, choreographers and other art form professionals who can make a positive contribution to dance and related art disciplines in the community. Our Vision : to Actively Enhance our Community through dance & dance related art forms by applying our
Values : Dance is for Everyone, Embracing Diversity & Inclusivity, Creating Accessibility, Community Focus
We rely on Private and Corporate Donations, sponsorships, together with Independent, State & National Grants, and invite your financial support for:
“Minuets, Maggots and Merry Conceits”: A Colonial Dance, History and Educational Program 2022
Program Concept
This program was inspired by the DNA results of Nancy Walker & Jef Savage, and the relationship of those results to early immigrants to Pennsylvania. They show significant results for England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Scandinavia, Germany and Northern France. In addition, our other dancers have mainly English & German ancestors, all of which flow into the dances selected. This program is particularly appropriate as many European immigrants were persuaded by William Penn (Jr) and his agents to settle in Pennsylvania. Franklin & Fulton Counties and surrounding areas were settled by many of these immigrants during late 17th and early 18th centuries. Many of their local descendants will have the opportunity to experience dances that potentially would have been seen or danced by their ancestors. Proposed Performance Venues
Franklin County Visitors Center - Chambersburg, Renfrew Museum, Conococheague Museum & Farm, Public Event Center - Greencastle, Fendrick Library - Mercersburg, Fulton County Library - McConnellsburg, PA. Program Structure
The program consists of two complimentary parts: A narrated dance and song performance and a pre-performance Parent accompanied Children’s Workshop. Program Description
In the 18th century English colonies, dancing was considered a necessary accomplishment for Persons of Quality as it provided them with grace, deportment and social skills. The program features elegant, energetic and stylish social dances popular in 18th century English Colonial America. The dances performed will be two English Country dances, a French Ballroom Minuet, two dances of the French Noble Style, the Allemande (German) and two Scottish reels, all of which were taught and danced in the English Colonies in America. Three popular period songs will be performed live by our resident vocalist/dancer; a Scottish Ballad, a typical English Tavern ditty and a song from The Beggars Opera. The dances & songs will be interspersed with humorous and informative period readings to explain their origins, the social settings in which they were enjoyed, and how they are reconstructed from period dance manuals and as such are part of the literary component. Dancers and Vocalist will perform in period clothing. The program is designed to entertain, educate, and bring 18th century dance & society to life. The performance will last approximately one hour, with an additional ten-minute intermission. Public Workshop
For children and adults will be approximately 60 minutes prior to the performance and will give them an opportunity to try a couple of dances from the period, learn about culture, and see the costumes close up. Literacy and Educational Component. The educational and literacy component will cover the history of the dances, literary sources of dance and etiquette manuals, advertisements for Dancing Masters to teach the latest dances, personalities : Washington the Dancer, Governor Spotswoode of Williamsburg giving Lucy Byrd the honor of a minuet. At the libraries the Librarians will select books & publications relevant to the colonial period, which will be on special display and available for borrowers. Proposed Dates and Times
We are in the process of planning and producing the project. Dates and times will be published, when confirmed. In accordance with our mission, our financial objective is to make this unique program accessible to lower income families in our local communities. Attendance will be free to the local community because of supporting contributions to funding for the programs. To make a contribution to help make this program possible and further promote dance, education and literacy in the community, send your check made payable to Discover DanceWorks, FAO, Treasurer, 129 North Main St, Mercersburg, PA. 17236. Please check with your accountant as your donation may be tax deductible. We look forward to seeing you at one of our events………………
Jef Savage, MBA, BSc, Chairperson & Nancy J. Walker, MA, BA, DipRSA, Artistic Director. Nancy Walker & Jef Savage are Rostered Artists for the state of PA. They are specialists in ballroom dance, historical dance and dance history spanning over 600 years. They have experience as dance performers and instructors along with extensive experience of bringing history and diverse cultures to life for all ages and abilities. They have designed, produced and performed in dance & dance history programs for over 20 years for colleges, schools, museums, libraries, senior centers, historical societies and corporate and private functions. Nancy has performed in England, France, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Malta and Gozo. She holds an M.A. and B.A. degree in Dance and a Diploma in Fine and Decorative Arts from Christie’s (London). She spent nine years as Professor of Early Dance at the Royal College of Music, London. She is currently Adjunct Professor of Dance at Gettysburg College. Jef holds an MBA and BSc. He has performed character roles in several major ballets and has performed in all the dance programs he has produced and directed. Jef has delivered diversity and sensitivity training to Corporate Executives, Managers and Staff. He has worked in Spain, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Scotland and The Netherlands. He has provided Leadership Training for Mercersburg Academy Students and Foreign Exchange High School Students based on Carl Jung’s theory of personality via the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Jef is a Certified Practitioner for the MBTI, 16PF and Firo-B. He is a male role model in the context of dance and etiquette.
