Reed College
Reed College

Dance Department

Dance in Portland

Kellr Auditorium signPortland, Oregon has a thriving artistic community, numerous dance companies, major presenting organizations and an international performing arts festival. The Reed dance department brings well-known performing artists to campus each year, and Reed dance students frequently attend off-campus performances and master classes in conjunction with their coursework. Reed has hosted on-campus performances by Eiko and Koma, Kidd Pivot, Pappa Tarahumara, Anouk Van Dijk, Rumpus Room Dance, tEEth, Lingo Dancetheatre and Cathy Weiss among others; Reed dancers have attended recent performances by the Merce Cunningham Company, Stephen Petronio Company, Urban Bush Women, BalletLab, Piloblus, Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, Marie Chouinard and Chunky Move.

Portland Dance Presenters and Companies

White Bird Dance presents two concurrent seasons of dance performances that include companies from around the world.

Each year, the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA) produces a 10-day festival of international performances.

Ten Tiny Dances is a twice-yearly performance series, a party, and a unique dance/performance event created for a diverse audience. 10 different choreographers create short works for a tiny 4x4 foot stage. Venues vary from event to event.

Performance Works Northwest curates, supports, fosters and presents alternative dance, theater and performance events.

Oregon Ballet Theatre, Portland’s pre-eminent ballet touring company and school, presents an extensive season of classic and contemporary ballets.

Other Portland presenters and companies include: