Repertory Dance Theatre to Honor Military Women This April

Repertory Dance Theatre (RDT) and the Fort Douglas Museum are honoring Utah women in the military with a three-night concert event, April 11-13, 2013. Women of Valor...In the Spirit of Service commemorates the 150th Anniversary of Fort Douglas and pays tribute to women of have served selflessly in the community and in the military.

Women of commitment, dedication, courage
Women who serve as warriors, wives of warriors
And the mothers of warriors....
The nurses, mechanics, engineers and truck drivers
The pilots, cooks, medics, MPs and teachers

Choreography includes Commonplace by Susan Hadley, When Summoned by Bill Evans, and Bolero by Joanie Smith of Shapiro & Smith Dance.

Dramatic monologues will pay tribute to the service, sacrifice, dedication, duty, and the strength of women. Susan Hadley, Abby Fiat, and Lynne Wimmer have created three commissions inspired by the many diverse roles that women assume in society. Stories of courageous female veterans, of women overcoming prejudice and breaking down stereotypes, and women who challenge the status quo performing tasks that have traditionally been assigned to men are woven throughout the program. Noted actor, Anne Cullimore Decker shares the emotions of a Gold Star Mother speaking of her loss and her pride in her son's sacrifice.

Proceeds from the April 11 benefit performance of Women of Valor will support the Utah Women's Military Memorial at the Fort Douglas Museum. VIP tickets are available for $75 and offer priority seating as well as admission to a post-concert reception featuring honored guests. The post-concert reception will be hosted by KUTV's Sterling Poulson. Several distinguished women will be honored, including Brigadier General Wilma Vaught, USAF, Retired, the founder and CEO of Women in Military Service for America, at Arlington National Cemetery.

Repertory Dance Theatre and the Utah Military and Veterans Affairs Committee are collecting stories of local women Veterans to highlight in the lobby of the performance. Stories will be printed and displayed in the lobby of the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. Local women veterans are encouraged to visit www.rdtutah.org to submit their stories.