Texas Dance Theatre announces new season's performances By CHRIS SHULL / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

FORT WORTH – Texas Dance Theatre has been a happy success. While most performing arts groups tightened their belts because of the economy, Wil McKnight launched a brand-new dance company. The Fort Worth-based troupe, which performs contemporary ballet by local and national choreographers, announced its 2010-11 season this week.


The company will increase its performances from five to eight, presenting Friday-Saturday pairs in November and April at the Eisemann Center in Richardson and the Scott Theatre in Fort Worth.

The paired programs, though different, will repeat featured world premieres each night, including in November a new ballet by Fort Worth-based Bruce Wood. Other choreographers include local dancers Leslie Hale and Jon Shields, the company's assistant artistic director Emily Hunter and McKnight.

"I wanted to do shorter pieces – newer, more contemporary stuff," McKnight said of his inspiration. "I especially love the Balanchine style. I wanted to make sure the dancers were very well-trained and had that ballet foundation. Then we take that and push it in a different direction."

McKnight founded Texas Dance Theatre in 2008, with the first performance in spring 2009; its first full season, between last September and this April, featured world premieres at every concert.

2010-11 season

All Texas Dance Theatre performances start at 8 p.m.:

• Nov. 5-6, Eisemann Center

• Nov. 12-13, Scott Theatre

• April 22-23, Eisemann Center

• April 29-30, Scott Theatre

Two-ticket subscription, $35; four-ticket subscription, $70. Single tickets $25. 817-676-1514. www.texasdancetheatre.com.