WHAT IS OFF CENTER DANCE THEATRE?

Off Center Dance Theatre (OCDT) was created in1991 by Joe Antony Cavise as a Westchester based not for profit organization, chiefly as a performance vehicle for young professional dancers to have the opportunity to work with various choreographers in a concert setting. Since then, it has evolved into a strong philanthropic organization, in particular, with the formation of the Off Center Dance Theatre Youth Ensemble in 1993. OCDT is now an organization which operates with two missions: Dance Performance and Community Outreach.

The young members of OCDT act as goodwill ambassadors and inspire other children as mentors through dance partnerships. Over the years Joe and the company members have developed relationships through interactive workshops with many children's organizations including: Ronald McDonald House, Blythedale Children's Hospital, UNICEF, HELPUSA Organization, and the Maria Ferrari Children's Hospital at the Westchester Medical Center.

In addition, the Off Center Dance Theatre Youth Ensemble hosts an annual Dance Invitational at SUNY Purchase with invited youth companies as well as one professional guest company. An open dress performance is free for invited local youth and senior groups meshing both missions of performance and community outreach.

The company also lends a hand in raising money for other charities by hosting an annual Dance-a-Thon. Each year, the board of directors chooses a charity that is in need of help. Past recipients include UNICEF Tsunami Relief Fund and Habitat for Humanity Katrina Relief Efforts.

Joe Cavise, the company's Artistic Director, has lived and breathed the art form professionally for over 25 years. His passion within his passion is to work with children. "I have been very fortunate to do work that I love" he says, "and it is extremely rewarding to give back to the community, and more so, to watch that philosophy flourish in these young boys and girls that I work with."

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF AN OFF CENTER DANCE THEATRE MEMBER?

There are several levels of expectations of an Off Center Dance Theatre member, including technical ability, attitude and dedication.

TECHNICAL ABILITY: Members are chosen through an annual* audition process. All potential members do a ballet as well as a jazz audition. The panel of judges is typically comprised of professions from NYC as well as Artistic Director, Joe Cavise who consider technical and performance ability. *Although, some members will be asked to re-audition annually, some members in good standing may not need to repeat the process. It is important to maintain a strong technical ability and dancers do this by taking class. Therefore, good attendance in all regular classes is mandatory for all members.

ATTITUDE: Maintaining a positive attitude and team effort is very important to Off Center Dance Theatre members. Older members are expected to be positive role models to the younger members, both in rehearsal and class setting and out. The company often performs to those of less capability and privilege than us and disrespect for others will not be tolerated. The company also hosts an annual Invitational Performance in the spring. Company members are expected to act like hostesses and extend a warm welcome and general hospitality to all of our guests.

DEDICATION: Off Center Dance Theatre Youth Ensemble is for the young technically advanced dancer who wants to make a serious commitment to the art of dance as well as the community service that the company does. Dedication and commitment begins in the classroom and extends to rehearsals and our performance and community outreach schedule.

Poor performance in any of the above will lead to a review and discussion of discharge from the company.

From The Artistic Director

I dance for the love of it. It's what I know and what I've done for nearly forty years. I know the power of dance-how it gives you strength and center from within.

Why do I teach? After fulfilling my performance I have experienced first hand how exhilarating, demanding, and at times, grueling it can be. Throughout that exciting chapter in my life I held fast to the idea that I wanted to pass along that passion, discipline, and joy of dance and performance to children. It amazes me to watch a child realize for the first time the simplest connection of movement and rhythm to music. To see it in their face "I can do it!" is a gift. To watch some of these children grow into beautiful dancers is an unbelievable reward.

A big part of what I believe is that we can all try to be the best that we can be, the gifted, talented, and less fortunate alike. That is what Off Center Dance Theatre and its Youth Ensemble is about. What started out ten years ago as a performance outlet for young dancers has grown into so much more. The organization has become a philanthropic vehicle. Bringing these young adults into a facility such as Blythedale Children's Hospital and dancing with children who were born with physical or mental disabilities teaches us about humility and our life priorities. We watch burn victims or children suffering from traumatic accidents dancing in their wheelchairs. Working with the Genesis children from HELP USA for the past five years inspires in us all invaluable lessons in charity and giving. I have always said that if I can make a child forget her problems for just 10 minutes, then I've done my job.

So why do I do it? Simply put for the love of dance and children. When I started out teaching simple plies and tendus I hadn't planned on how much my approach and, in fact, vision would change through the years. The children have taught and influenced me as much as I have them. If I have helped influence their future in a positive way, there is no better reward.

Thank you for joining us tonight and supporting the mission of the Off Center Dance Theatre Youth Ensemble to inspire us to "Be the best that you can be."
Sincerely,

Joe Antony Cavise

"I love OCDT because I get to be with all of my great friends and do what I love best….DANCE! Although it is a lot of hard work and practice, when I see a smile appear on a child's face that we work with in the different hospitals, I realize all of our work has been worth while!"- Ali Brotmann, age 14  "Being a member of the Off Center Dance Theatre has done so much for me. I am able to do what I love most; dance! While at the same time I am helping others who are not as fortunate as me. Working with kids always brightens up my day and dancing helps me just stay "free" and "together". For me, being a member of Off Center Dance Theatre is like a dream come true." Emily Brotmann, age 11

"Off Center Dance Theatre Youth Ensemble is not just a normal group of girls...they are my best friends and my second family. I believe the best thing about being part of OCDT is the way we always leave a piece of our hearts and our passion for dance with the people we perform for.  We always make them feel that anything is possible. Although we learn a lot from our teachers, we learn equally as much from each other and from the amazing people we perform for. The most important thing I have learned from OCDT is that everyone is unique and, no matter how different we might be as individuals, we all share the same passion for dance and the joy that it can bring to both us and other people."- Amanda Diekmann, age 16

 "For me Youth Ensemble means the opportunity to make a difference in someone else's life by simply doing what I love best—dancing. Even if it's a very small difference I still feel like I've done my part. Thanks to Youth Ensemble, I not only have the chance to do this, but also to share my passion for dance with other people who feel the same way. It's like a dream come true."-Rachel Eisman, age 13

"Dance is a huge part of my life, and it gives me joy to dance with people who love it as much as I do. By performing with Off Center, I hope to spread that joy to our audiences. I'm so glad that it also helps other children that we work with. I'm especially proud to be a member of the Off Center Youth Ensemble." Dana Fesjian, age 11

 "Dance to me is everything. It's a place and a lifestyle that combines talent and strength with friendship and laughter. Ballet brings beauty; hip hop brings soul; and modern jazz brings passion. OCDT is an amazing experience for me that I will never forget.  I will have memories that will last forever. I just love it." Michaela Friedberg, age 14

"Off Center Dance Theatre is a place where I can express my feelings through dance with all of my friends. With OCDT, I can help the community by spreading my passion of this great art form. Not only do I get to entertain people who  may be less fortunate than me, but it also gives me joy to do what I love best...DANCE!" -Marie Hasse, age 13

"Being part of the Youth Ensemble means that I can do the two things that I love the most, dancing and helping others. Dancing helps me express myself in ways that other things can not. When I am dancing I feel as though I can do anything.  When we dance for children who are less fortunate and their faces light up it makes me feel good. The Youth Ensemble is not only a great way for us to express ourselves, but to help others express themselves as well."-Sarah Henkind, age 15

"To me. Off Center is a place that I can express myself and spend time with all of my friends. My passion for dancing is shown while at the same time, I am putting smiles on other people's faces. It's like getting two benefits at once. It makes me so happy to be able to be a member of the Off Center Dance Theatre." Bianca Higdon, age 13  "Being part of Off Center is so much more than I could have ever imagined. It's so amazing that I am able to help others less fortunate by doing something that I love. It makes me feel accomplished and satisfied. . My fellow Youth Enemble members are all so incredibly welcoming, supportive, and caring. I couldn't ask for a better group to share all of these wonderful experiences with me." Sage Klapper, age 14

"For the 71/2 years I've been dancing, becoming a member of OCDT has been my goal. To me it means pleasure, challenge, and pride— it also means family, friends, and a home away from home. Becoming part of the company started a new chapter in my dance life, one in which I can share my love of dancing with audiences young and old.It's a way to give back through something I know and love."-Jordie Lesser-Roy, age 13

"OCDT means family, friends, and dancing from the heart. I am really happy to be in the company and helping." Mackenzie Lesser Roy, age 11

"Off Center has meant a lot to me over the past couple of years. Through my involvement in the company, I have been able to meet a group or incredibley genuine individuals who share my passion for dance and community outreach. The company has helped me grow as a dancer and has allowed me to incorporate dance in community service. I will be sad to leave the company next year, but I wish them much success and know that these experiences will stick with me for years to come." Katie Phillips, age 17

"Off Center is a place where I can express myself and I get to hang out with amazing people who share the same love."- Cristina Savone, age 17 "The Youth Ensemble is such a big part of my life. It means so much to perform in front of children and bring smiles to their faces. I made great friends in the company who love to dance as much as I do. I am so glad that I made a commitment to dance because I always look forward to classes and performances."-Julie Shabto, age 14

"To me, OCDT is my therapy. I go into dance class and the rest of the world disappears. All of a sudden all of my problems are gone. Performing for others and putting smiles on their faces is the best feeling in the world. When people enjoy watching what I love to do, I get the greatest sense of satisfaction. My life would not be complete without OCDT."- Julie Serow, age 15

 "Off Center means so much to me because it is my second family that lives at my second home, Dance Cavise. It's a place where I can do the most fun things in the world, dancing and socializing with really good friends. It's also a place where I can help my community by cheering up kids in a hospital, or making elders smile at nursing homes. I love Off Center Dance Theatre!"-Camille Swersky, age 13

Click here to see what previous year's ensemble members had to say about their experiences.

 Artistic Director

JOE ANTONY CAVISE, began his professional career in 1981 when he joined the Actor's Equity Association and the Screen Actor's Guild. Mr. Cavise received critical acclaim from The New York Times for his role of Dick McGann in the Off-Broadway production of Street Scene. In 1983, he joined the original Broadway Company of Cats and later, performed the lead role of "Mr. Mistoffelees". He was featured in A Chorus Line- The Movie, and has appeared in many TV films and Soap operas.
In 1991, Mr. Cavise founded the Off CenterDance Theatre, Inc., (OCDT ), now in residence at the Dance Cavise Studios. He has created over three dozen pieces exposing scores of dancers to his choreography. Mr. Cavise has been teaching dance for over twenty five years and decided to leave his performing career to dedicate himself to children and dance education. He managed and taught at STEPS on Broadway, one of NYC's foremost dance institutions. In 1989 he and his wife Lori, opened Dance Cavise Inc. located in Mamaroneck, NY. In 2001, Mr. Cavise was quoted as "Westchester's Dance Man" in Dance Teacher Magazine, a national publication dedicated to dance educator's in the United States. He strongly believes that children are our future, and hopes that his legacy will have a lasting and positive affect on their lives. Company Manager Jamie Himpel
Working with and choreographing for the Off Center Youth Ensemble has and continues to be one of the most joyous and rewarding experiences of her professional career. Most creative endeavors to date: Jamie.