2006.06.02: June 2, 2006: Headlines: COS - Costa Rica: Dance: Austin American-Statesman: Costa Rica RPCV Rodolfo Mendez founded the community-based Ballet East Dance Theatre almost three decades ago
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2006.06.02: June 2, 2006: Headlines: COS - Costa Rica: Dance: Austin American-Statesman: Costa Rica RPCV Rodolfo Mendez founded the community-based Ballet East Dance Theatre almost three decades ago
Costa Rica RPCV Rodolfo Mendez founded the community-based Ballet East Dance Theatre almost three decades ago
Though dancing in New York after high school broadened his professional horizons, it was a three-year stint in the Peace Corps that would profoundly shape his path. In Costa Rica he developed dance and theater programs for primary and secondary grade levels, components of which are still being used today.
Costa Rica RPCV Rodolfo Mendez founded the community-based Ballet East Dance Theatre almost three decades ago
Arts Hall of Fame honors Austin's creative geniuses who created a scene
By Jeanne Claire van Ryzin
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Photo: Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman
From stages to rehearsal, galleries to dance studios, drawing boards to board rooms, this year's inductees to the Austin Arts Hall of Fame have left their mark on the city's creative profile.
Chosen by the reviewers known collectively as the Austin Critics' Table, these luminaries include a civil rights champion, an opera innovator, a nurturing museum leader, a man synonymous with community dance, an expansive architect, a passionate theater teacher and one of independent theater's most valuable players.
[Excerpt]
Rodolfo Mendez / Choreographer, founder and artistic director of Ballet East Dance Theatre
Every once and awhile, Rodolfo Mendez entertains the thought of stepping aside. Since founding the community-based Ballet East Dance Theatre almost three decades ago, he's seen his days and nights filled with bringing dance classes to historically underserved Austin communities while also mentoring young dancers and choreographers, giving them a stage on which to test their talents.
But then, another young eager face turns up and, Mendez says, "I think, where are these kids going to go? If I don't do this, who will?"
Growing up in Austin, Mendez felt lucky to get some exposure to dance thanks to early ballet lessons and the South Texas folkloric and flamenco troupes that landed in town for temporary teaching stints. Though dancing in New York after high school broadened his professional horizons, it was a three-year stint in the Peace Corps that would profoundly shape his path. In Costa Rica he developed dance and theater programs for primary and secondary grade levels, components of which are still being used today.
Back in Austin, Mendez used the same curriculum to develop community programs. In addition to teaching in schools throughout Austin, Mendez's company has given budding dancers and choreographers the chance to hone their skills. Ballet East alumni have gone on to professional careers as dancers and choreographers, presenting their work at Lincoln Center, among other famed venues.
"My focus has always been to provide a platform for kids to have exposure and opportunity in the arts," say Mendez.
"He's humorous, passionate, driven and utterly committed to dance," says choreographer and UT dance instructor Andrea Beckham. "His is a dance company for our community and for our future."
When this story was posted in July 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:
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Story Source: Austin American-Statesman
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Costa Rica; Dance
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