Anderson Park
The mission of Contemporary West Dance Theatre (CWDT) is to continue the American Legacy of excellence in dance by creating opportunities to nurture, educate and advance future artists. CWDT is dedicated to presenting performances and preserving the work of generations of great artists, choreographers and teachers, while showcasing the work of emerging talent in a broad spectrum of dance styles. CWDT seeks to maintain a multicultural performing arts company that build artistic bridges not only within our arts community, but beyond its borders as well.
Founder/Artistic Director Barnard H. Gaddis’s first professional dance experience was with The Philadelphia Dance Co. (Philadanco) at the age of fifteen. Mr. Gaddis also became the Founder, Artistic Director & Choreographer of Philadanco’s second performing company D2. After leaving Philadelphia, Mr. Gaddis traveled to New York City where he became a Principal Dancer with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, under the artistic direction of the renowned dancer and choreographer Ms. Judith Jamison. He spent seven years as a principal dancer with the company, performing such works as Revelations, Memoria, Episodes, A Hymn for Alvin Ailey and many other ballets. Mr. Gaddis has traveled throughout the world performing for the Queen of England, Nelson Mandela and former President of the United States Bill Clinton. Mr. Gaddis has performed in renown theaters such as the Paris Opera House, Carnegie Hall, Metropolitan Opera house, The Kennedy Center Theater, Lincoln Center Theater, The Tivoli Theater Copenhagen & The Bolshoi Theater. Bernard went on to join the Los Angeles cast of the Broadway Musical; The Lion King as a leading dancer and ensemble member, where he worked with director Julie Tamour. Mr. Gaddis arrived in Las Vegas as a Principal Dancer & Choreographer for Cirque Du Soleil’s production shows, Zumanity and Mystere. In 2007 Mr. Gaddis, along with former Dance Theatre of Harlem Principal dancer/Ballet Mistress Ms. Charmain Hunter, founded the Contemporary West Dance Theatre, formally known as the Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theatre.
TAKE 5 (excerpts)
Choreography: Bernard Gaddis
Music: Nick Waterhouse, Leela James
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