PASADENA
DANCE
THEATRE
Mission
Pasadena Dance Theatre (PDT) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support, foster and advance the art of dance through professional performances and educational programs.
History
Evelyn Le Mone
Pasadena Dance Theatre, a non-profit dance organization, was started in 1958 by Ms. Evelyn LeMone. From a very early age, Evelyn wanted nothing to do but dance. Years of training from repeated trips to Los Angeles on the "Red Line" to study with the top teachers of the time, lead to her career as a noted performer, master teacher, choreographer, the owner of LeMone Ballet Center and the artistic director of Pasadena Junior Ballet Company which evolved in 1958 into Pasadena Dance Theatre. With her eclectic training in all forms of dance, she evolved her own "Free Style Ballet" form, which lead her to be the President of the largest dance teachers association in America, and to a professorship at the Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts. She created full-length ballets with innovative costumes and sets, and strong storylines such as "The Emperor's Nightingale", ``Twelve Dancing Princesses"
and her annual Christmas Ballet, "The Search for the Bluebird". Evelyn’s creative, classical, and exceptional training enabled many of her dance students to go on to professional careers with some of the top ballet companies in the country. These original alumni of PDT also brought their talents to movies, television, and stage work, as well as back to the classroom. The strong foundation set the stage for subsequent directors who continued PDT’s commitment to building excellent dance training and community.
PDT's own Studio Theater, an intimate performing space for new works and concert performances, was opened in 1999. Over the years, PDT’s students have had the opportunity to share the stage with seasoned professionals, and many continue to dance, choreograph and teach professionally around the world.
PDT is thankful for the dedication and passion of both Ms. Evelyn LeMone and our subsequent directors in fulfilling our mission: “To support, foster, and advance the art of dance in its various forms, through the presentation of performances and educational programs.” Some of Ms. LeMone’s former students are current members of our Artistic Advisory Committee where they continue to support the school where their dancing journey began. Other former students and company members, Ms. Ashleigh Doede and Mrs. Jessamyn Vedro-Lawrence now serve as Conservatory Director and Interim Artistic Director respectively. We are thrilled Mrs. Vedro will be choreographing and directing PDT’s Nutcracker for the 2022 season.
As a new chapter for Pasadena Dance Theatre begins, we are grateful for the strong legacies of our founder Evelyn LeMone, her successors, and all of the great leaders PDT has experienced. Their students continue to support and actively participate in the studio they once called home, and for that reason, the future for PDT is bright. We welcome you to be a part of it with us!
