Year: 2026-2027
DanceForce Member: Kim Engel
Artists: Albany Berkshire Ballet, Baye & Asa, Doug Varone & Dancers (tentative), Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company
Community Partners: Dance Alliance; Skidmore College Department of Dance; UAlbany Performing Arts Center; UAlbany’s Department of Music and Theatre; Union College Department of Theatre and Dance, Schenectady
Audience: 350
Counties: Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady

Historically, the Capital Region has enjoyed a richness in professional dance offerings each season. For two+ decades, a minimum of 15-17 touring companies performed in the area through the various performing arts centers. In recent years, that number dropped into the 10-12 range and, two seasons ago, was drastically reduced into the low single digits due to changes in management and theater renovations.

DF member Kim Engel is passionate about increasing the opportunities for Capital Region residents to see visiting and regional dance companies without having to travel outside of the area. These opportunities complement the activities of local dance and movement artists, creating a robust dance season for avid lovers as well as those being cultivated and still more who have recently been introduced to the form through various efforts.

The dance programs at both Skidmore and Union Colleges are stepping up to the plate. Each is intending to host one touring company in the coming season in their respective campus theaters. Skidmore is confirmed to present Baye & Asa while Union is working on a possible engagement with Doug Varone & Dancers.  The two performances will be offered free to their campus communities while also being open to the general public. All audience members will have the opportunity to donate if they choose. An anticipated 350 audience members will enjoy these performances.

For Skidmore, this will revive a practice of using their dance theatre for guest artists supplementing the faculty and student work seen on their stages. Hosting guest companies was discontinued many years ago for a variety of reasons. For Union, their chosen engagement will follow a first-time venture into presenting. In the 2025-26 academic year, Barkha Patel was invited to perform in the Yulman Theater.

In addition, the UAlbany Performing Arts Center in collaboration with its Music Program will be offering two regional dance companies in performances of new work with live music.  Its resident ensemble, the Capital Trio, will take the stage with the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company in the fall and with Albany Berkshire Ballet in the spring.

The region’s NYS DanceForce representative will assist in planning, administration, grant writing and other on-the-ground activities as needed and in support of the work being done by college faculty and administrators.