WESTPORT, CT – When her casting call for a new, innovative, socially-conscious dance company hit international dance publications, Michelle Sperry, director of CT Theater Dance, received a flood of inquiries from across the U.S. and beyond. Dancers from as far as Brazil have now arrived in Westport and are training daily with world-renowned choreographer Rodney Rivera and company resident choreographer Alejandro Ulloa at CT Theater Dance’s studios. The establishment of CT Theater Dance Company (CTDco) is a longtime dream of Sperry’s, and now, as Artistic Director, she is positively beaming in anticipation of unveiling the company’s new pieces at the Westport Playhouse in “Blue for Dance”—a production the company has developed to raise awareness about autism.

Culturally rich and philanthropically engaged, the Westport community is the perfect home for CTDco. The company will share messages of social understanding and performance outreach with local families, at venues all over Fairfield County with hopes to expand into New York. CTDco is comprised of local, national, and international professional dancers coming together to create a new sensory experience on stage. Their goal is to bring awareness to social issues through movement, unique lighting, music, and emotion. CTDco's mission is to inspire empathy and internal awareness through prolific contemporary ballet choreography, deep emotions, pensive thought, and compassionate inquiry. Each performance will champion the cause of a local nonprofit group and contain dedicated pieces of choreography used to highlight the cause and the passion projects of these specific organizations. Sperry, Rivera, and Ulloa are confident audiences will be dazzled, moved, and motivated by eight new works, including the specially commissioned "BLUE FOR DANCE.”

On Thursday, March 29th, CTDco will light up the stage at Westport Country Playhouse in "Blue for Dance" to raise autism awareness. This production features 3 pieces inspired by the struggle and realities of autism. "Blue for Dance," one of three pieces, is twenty minutes of moving choreography, set in 5 movements, that features the main professional company, several local dancers, and students ages 4 – 14 from CTD School, who dance in solidarity with friends and family who have special needs. The pre-show begins at 6 pm. Curtain rises at 7 pm.

“I’m excited to bring CTDco to Westport,” says Sperry, Artistic Director. “I want to create a company with meaning and provide jobs to working artists and opportunities for younger dancers. I miss my artistic roots and am eager to foster an atmosphere where dancers are respected, praised, and challenged.”

Rivera comments, “I am honored to be able to create dance pieces that bring awareness to the audience about how autism affects children, their parents, friends, and family... if you leave questioning, happy, sad, confused—I was successful as my work forced you to FEEL.

Ulloa, Resident Choreographer, adds, “What we are creating in this company is a place for artists to grow as dancers, be challenged artistically, and be able to express their souls through movement.”