BOONE, N.C. – The numbers tell the story, beginning in 1975 and continuing today. Since its inception fifty years ago, the venerable Appalachian Dance Ensemble (ADE) has premiered over 500 original works at Appalachian State University involving over 5,700 students, faculty, guest artists, and community members to the enjoyment of tens of thousands of audience members throughout the High Country and beyond.
"As in any performing art, those that have danced on stage are less than half of the participants that have worked on the concerts behind the scenes," said Professor Marianne Adams, who noted that thousands of Appalachian students have participated in the ensemble, as dancers, choreographers, lighting and costume designers, technicians and crew members. Although some past records are incomplete, over 7,816 roles have been filled to present the dance ensemble throughout the years.
Professor Adams is coordinating with her dance colleagues to celebrate half a century of excellence this month during ADE50, which culminates with performances during the Spring Appalachian Dance Ensemble in the Valborg Theatre on campus from March 26 through 30, 2025.
Theatre and Dance Department Chair Michael Helms added, "A cornerstone of our cultural identity on this campus is the Appalachian Dance Ensemble (ADE), founded fifty years ago in 1975. ADE is the creative laboratory for the dance studies faculty and students."
"It is important to realize that although the vast majority of roles have been filled by students," said Adams, "I, along with many faculty and staff, have mentored, choreographed and danced along with our students, including Laurie Atkins, Emily Daughtridge, the late Susan Lutz, and Sherone Price. Other choreographers who have contributed multiple works include colleagues Regina Gulick, Rebecca Keeter, Rebecca Quin, and Holly Rivers. More recently, Ray Miller, Kevin Warner, and Chris Yon have created original pieces that have been set on the ensemble."
Cheryl Cutlip, Executive Director of Project Dance Foundation, said "ADE provides a platform for aspiring dancers to create and showcase their own work to a wide audience. It also offers area choreographers the opportunity to collaborate with Appalachian dance students, developing and refining new pieces over an extensive rehearsal process.
"For the student dancers," Cutlip said, "This experience offers a glimpse into the professional dance world... balancing the demands of academics with evening rehearsals and long hours dedicated to their craft. It's a pivotal step in their artistic journey, fostering creativity, discipline, and a deeper passion for dance."
According to the Department of Theatre and Dance, it all began when Lee Harper was hired as a visiting artist from 1973-75 and created a student company that became the precursor to ADE. Wendy Fletcher began the Appalachian Dance Ensemble in 1975-76 as a co-curricular production tied to the growing dance minor while serving as the director and primary choreographer for the first 13-plus years. During her tenure, Fletcher often choreographed three to four different dances, rolled and taped the Marley floor surface, performed, and silk screened the T-shirts for each concert.
At times, the Appalachian Clogging Club performed with the dance ensemble, under the direction of physical education faculty member Ellie Thomas. Adams first danced with the ensemble in 1979 and began teaching as a grad assistant in the early 1980s. Jeff Fletcher and Ray Sinclair served as production managers in the earliest days, building sets, fog machines, hauling floors and costumes, typing programs, and driving dancers to and from rehearsals during snowstorms, among other duties.
Adams began choreographing for the ensemble in 1980 and served as either co-director or director from the mid 80s through 2007 and has contributed as a coordinator and choreographer intermittently since that time. In recent years, Atkins and Daughtridge, along with Dance Studies faculty members Price and Yon have regularly served as coordinators for various ADE concerts.
Professor Susan Lutz, who passed away last May, began contributing choreography in the mid 1980s and was hired full time in 1997. Adams said "Susan was the most consistent ADE co-coordinator and choreographer for the last 28 years with fall concerts added 1989-90. These semi-annual dance showcases offer students the opportunity to explore the craft of choreography, gain new perspectives on artistry and hone their performing and technical skills."
The continued success of ADE has been supported and elevated by the many artists who have shared their expertise and talents on the productions over the years, including vocal, orchestral, and percussion musicians who provided live accompaniment at select concerts. The ADE50 celebration provides an opportunity to recognize their integrity, creativity, and long standing commitment to the ensemble.
The department and their faculty express pride in the many former dancers that have found their way in the dance world teaching, healing and performing, or in stage management and arts administration, etc. A few notable ensemble alumni include Amy Chavasse, who danced with Laura Dean and Dancers; Jeannie Steele, a member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company for many years; and Rachel Scherer, the stage manager for The Washington Ballet, Chamber Dance Project, and other companies in and around Washington, DC.
Perhaps arts patron Sandi Finci Solomon said it best. "As a lifelong dance enthusiast, I find ADE exciting because it advances dance through the creation of new work and the encouragement of young talent. Dance is a timeless and ageless art form that improves health, brings generations together and, through ADE, is deserving of our support."
Reserved seating tickets for ADE50 are available online through the T&D department website at theatreanddance.appstate.edu, as well by phone or in person at the Schaefer Center for the Arts box office.
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About the Department of Theatre and Dance
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Theatre and Dance's mission is to facilitate transformative experiences for students and the public, which cultivate compassionate, creative, and collaborative communities through theatre and dance. The department also offers coursework for integrated learning through the arts to the general university student population. Its dynamic co-curricular production program provides exemplary theatre and dance experiences to departmental students, the university community, and the region. www.theatreanddance.appstate.edu.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University's College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://cfaa.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,253 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio, and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
FADE 2025 50TH
FADE 2025 50TH