Baltimore Dance Project [BDP]
Now under the collective leadership of Elizabeth Johnson, Ann Sofie Clemmensen, Shaness Kemp, and Sandra Lacy, it is dedicated to presenting the creative work of its leaders and guests. The company is known for edgy collaborations with composers, directors, sound artists, video artists, engineers, and technologists, and for integrating visual media and technology in riveting dance performances. BDP performs its annual UMBC concert in February.
Acknowledgment of the company’s history: The company, originally named Impetus, was established back in the 1970s by Professor Jeff Duncan (founder of Dance Theatre Workshop in NYC). In 1982, Elizabeth Walton, Chair of the UMBC Dance Department, expanded the company to serve as a venue for faculty and guest choreographers, and it became known as the Phoenix Repertory Dance Company. UMBC Dance faculty performed with and choreographed for Phoenix. A guest choreographer was brought in each year to set new or existing repertoire for the company. UMBC dance students participated at the choreographers’ invitation. As the company evolved from a repertory company to focus on faculty choreography and creative research, the name was changed to Baltimore Dance Project in 2008.
Founders and core artists: Jeff Duncan, Elizabeth Walton, Carol Hess, Doug Hamby, and Sandy Lacy.