APPLAUSE >>>

Tonight at 6:30 p.m. during the University Place City Council meeting, Dance Theatre Northwest and its dancers will be recognized by the city.

Dance Theatre Northwest is a ballet company, one that has spent 26 years providing concerts and performances, guidance and lessons in classical ballet to area youth. The recognition is well deserved, highlighting the Theatre's dedication to award-winning original choreography, costume and sets, presentation of ballet classic, as well as serving as a pillar of support and guidance for area youth.

"The City of University Place recognizes individuals, businesses and organizations that help make our community a better place to live, brings harmony to our community and fosters development of our children," says Javier Figueroa, U.P. councilmember. "Dance Theatre Northwest embraces all of these attributes and much more."

In addition to the entire dance company being recognized, two former students will be honored - Katie Neumann and Chhay Mam. Neumann is now a professional dancer and still attends all DTN performances, has received every award possible from DTN. Mam is also now a professional performer, but has also helped DTN with enhancing its website and ticket system. The city's proclamation will also serve to recognize students who were recently awarded scholarships from DTN for their dedication to the art of dance, citizenship, and community.

"For the City of University Place to recognize us as an organization makes me feel warm all over as I think of the countless hours, professionals from many walks of life, volunteers, and Northwest residents who have helped build this organization and to foster its development," says Melanie Kirk-Stauffer, artistic director. "Our school is dedicated to the teaching of and preservation of classical ballet. To my knowledge, Dance Theatre Northwest is the ONLY Performing Arts group of this caliber to maintain a residency in UP for 26 years."