Our History

Columbus Dance Theatre (CDT) was founded in 1998. The fledgling organization opened with one performance in its inaugural year. In its third year,“Matchgirl”, a beloved holiday classic based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen. Both the ballet company and the School of Columbus Dance Theatre grew in tandem over the years, adding performances, increasing the student base, and breaking ground as a new creative force in the community.

CDT met an exciting goal in 2004 by moving into a new facility at 592 East Main Street in the Market Exchange District. This move dramatically changed the com- pany’s ability to perform as it now has its own on-site 100 seat theater specifically designed for dance. In 2020, longtime patron, Nancy Marzella, endowed CDT’s performance space renaming it the J. Nick Marzella Theater in support of the new leadership. In 2007, the School added a location in Bexley, Ohio.

In 2019, after the departure and resignation of the founding Artistic Director, CDT embarked on its 22nd se ason, headed by a new generation of leadership. Seth Wilson, a long time dancer and Managin g Director took the reins of Artistic Direc- tor and long time dancer and co-managing director, Jaime Kotrba Wilson, moved into the role of Executive Director.

In 2020, Artistic and Executive Directors, Seth and Jaime Wilson premiered a new holiday ballet, taking the place of the long running ballet, “Matchgirl”. “Wonder- ment”, based on the Hans Christian Anderse n tale, The Snow Queen, premiered with live music by Converging Arts Columbus, at the Rifle Davidso n Theater with a cast of over 100 company members and students. It premiered new sets and cos- tume s designed by CDT’s costume designer, Brenda Shapiro.

CDT’s professional, contemporary ballet company and its affiliated school a re integral parts of the central Ohio per forming arts community. It has grown into a major venue for dance and art making in the city and continues to emphasize new work and dynamic partnerships with artists across a range of disciplines.

As BIPOC individuals, CDT’s new leadership employs professional dancers, artists and contractors of many backgrounds and has board members, collaborators and volunteers of many genders ages and ethnicities.

In Our Community

Columbus Dance Theatre is passionate about supporting their community and cultivating new relationships in and out of the performing arts sector. The company seeks to work with local artists and musicians throughout the year, especially through the annual Danc- ers Making Dances performance that fosters collaboration between artists and the com- pany dancers. CDT has also had a longtime partnership with the musical ensemble Carpe Diem Spring Quartet, which has enabled the company to create truly original works. In 2004, CDT moved to its current downtown facility where it has its own black box theater. This performance space, along with the studios themselves, serve as affordable rental spac- es for many art organizations in the city.

The CDT Art On Our Walls series was started the Fall of 2023, featuring a local artist every month. Their art work is displayed in the lobby and is especially featured during CDT’s Community Open House series. These open houses are another way CDT is reaching out to the community, providing information about the school of dance, as well as performances by current students, company members, and other Columbus dance groups, and live music provided by local musicians. CDT is excited to present these free open houses to bring the arts and art community together.

Columbus Dance Theatre celebrates local businesses and is continually impressed with the diversity, ingenuity, and energy these businesses bring to the Columbus community.

Columbus Dance Theatre is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We are able to op- erate through tax-deductible donations made by people and corporations like you, that help to support our programming. By supporting CDT your business will support the arts while gaining visibility and cultural opportunities for employees and ex- ecutives. Your tax-deductible donations go directly to our programs and help us

to continue educating and inspiring audiences and children through movement.