Welcome
Refuge Dance Company is a collection of professional dancers from the Atlanta area. Refuge presents thought-provoking works revealing a message of love & grace.
Ways to get to know Refuge:
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Our Mission
Bring them in
Bring dancers into a safe place, a safe environment filled with love, grace, healing, and compassion. A place where they can become restored and released to embrace their dance as a gift to serve others.Build them up
Build them up to reach their full potential as an artist. Men and women who will die to themselves, their own earthly desires for success, and die to the pride and comparison they feel in the world of dance. Build them up to understand that we have a call - to impact those around us through our dance.Send them out
Send dancers out with the freedom and ability to communicate through their art. Send them out to dance in local performances, professional environments, churches, missionary journeys - wherever God calls them.
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Our History
A safe place...
Refuge Dance Company was founded out of a need - a need for a safe place for dancers to come, be inspired, grow as artists, and embrace who they are meant to be. Wherever she went, Artistic Director Katherine Gant kept meeting dancers unable to find a place to call home. She felt called to create such a place - a refuge.
It began in 2006 as a group of friends getting together to take class, try out ideas, work through the joys and struggles of life, and grow as a group and as individuals. By early 2007 the group of friends had grown into a company meeting on a regular basis and officially became a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 2009.
Today, Refuge continues to provide a safe place where love and grace are the building blocks upon which everything is based.
Our Vision & Purpose
The vision of Refuge Dance Company is to allow dancers to explore their artistic ability in a safe environment as they draw closer to one another.
The main purposes of Refuge Dance Company are to present innovative works that display the dancer in an authentic manner as both a person and an artist with the goal of presenting dance in a way that is accessible for everyone, and to equip and train the next generation as leaders of the dance world.
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Company
The dancers of Refuge Dance Company are working professionals and college students who come together for class and rehearsals weekly.
Click on the pictures to learn more about the members of Refuge. -
Katherine Gant
Artistic Director
Katherine Gant received her dance training in Memphis, TN under the direction of Pat Gillispie at Classical Ballet Memphis. In 2002, Katherine joined Ad Deum Dance Company as an Apprentice and was promoted to Company Member later that year. While with Ad Deum, she performed works by Steve Rooks (formerly principal dancer with Martha Graham Company) and performed at Project Dance in New York City. She then went on to dance with Ballet Magnificat! under the direction of Kathy Thibodeaux. Since moving to Atlanta in 2005, Katherine has continued to teach and dance throughout Atlanta area, including founding Refuge Dance Company and serving from 2007-2011 as the Event Coordinator for Project Dance Atlanta. Katherine and her husband David have four children Elizabeth, Caleb, Madeleine, and Joshua.
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David Gant
Executive Director
David Gant began his dance training with the Georgia Youth Ballet under the direction of Magdalena Maury. David has also participated in summer programs at Ballet Austin, the RDA Craft of Choreography Conference, and Milwaukee Ballet. After completing his training, he went on to dance as a member of the Alabama Ballet, Dance Ad Deum, and as a guest artist with Ballet Memphis, Ballet Magnificat, and Greensboro Ballet. In addition to helping lead Refuge and raising his four children - Elizabeth, Caleb, Madeleine, and Joshua, David is the owner of the consulting firm Gant Services.
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Angella Foster
Choreographer
Angella Foster began her training at the Kentucky Repertory Dance Theater under the direction fo Sue Champion. Angella holds a B.A. in Dance Performance / Choreography from Hope College and participated in the Professional Training Program at the Merce Cunningham Dance Studio. Angella has performed the works of numerous choreographers including Steven Iannacone, Randall Flinn, Steve Rooks, Clay Taliaferro, Ed Tyler, Joe Poulson, Nejla Yatkin and Colleen Thomas. She has also danced with Ad Deum Cance Company in Houston, Texas. Her choreography has been performed in New York City, Washington, D.C., Houston, Atlanta, and Moscow, Russia. Angella earned her M.F.A. in Dance Choreography from the University of Maryland, College Park and is currently President / Artistic Director of Alight Dance Theater. She is a regular guest choreographer for Refuge Dance Company.
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Christy Link
Dancer
Christy Link just joined Refuge. Bio and Photo coming soon...
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Heather Hatzenbuhler
Dancer
Heather Hatzenbuhler just joined Refuge. Bio and Photo coming soon...
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Esther Darden
Dancer
Esther Darden was born in Atlanta, Georgia and felt the Lord’s call to dance at age 3, and began taking lessons until age 6. In her early years of training, Esther attended Dancer’s Studio Backstage under the direction of Jonnie Kelley, and Dancentre South under Marcus Alford and Annie Day. Following high school, she continued her training at the Atlanta Ballet, and later the Georgia Ballet. Esther has been part of many performance opportunities, including Jazz on Tap, the Picallo Spalleto Festival, Nutcracker with a Swing, and the first Nutcracker of Cherokee County. She has also danced in many Christmas, and Easter productions at Mount Paran North Church. In the fall of 2007, Esther attended a Discipleship Training School with YWAM, in Budapest, Hungary. Through this school she was able to dance during street outreaches, along with the opportunity to live, short-term, in both Egypt and India, to further experience missions outreach. During January through June 2010, Esther attended the School of Dance Studies in Lakeside, Montana, where she was in depthly introduced to Modern dance, and given the opportunity to work with renowned choreographers Randall Flinn and Steve Rooks. Esther then went on to train with Sterling Dance Theatre, in Kansas, City. Recently, Esther returned to Atlanta for a time of physical recuperation following a year full of training. “I am so grateful that the Lord brought me to Refuge. It came at the perfect time during my search of where to minister through dance.”
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Hope Laman
Dancer
Hope Laman has been dancing since she first saw The Nutcracker at the age of three. (Thank you forever, Mom!) She trained with Eleanor Peters, Columbia Ballet School, Ballet Magnificat!, Columbia College and UNC Greensboro where she received degrees in dance and English in 2003. She has performed with the Burke Community Ballet Company, X Factor, Prodigal Dance Project, Lee Harper and Dancers and for three glorious years lived out of a suitcase while on tour with The Masterpiece: A Toymaker’s Dream. Hope has performed on five continents as well as all over the contiguous United States. Hope is thrilled to dance with Refuge and share the gifts God has given her!
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Kayte McAlexander
Dancer
Kayte McAlexander was born in Larenceville, Georgia, she began dancing at the age of three. She trained at Dance Arts Centre in Duluth, Georgia. After high school she continued her training at Brenau University, where she majored in dance education. While at Brenau she was a member of Brenau Dance Ensemble, the university’s modern dance company, with whom she performed numerous pieces including a recreation of Mark Morris’ Marble Halls. She also performed in student choreography shows and was given the opportunity to choreograph for Evening of Dance and the senior thesis program. After college she was blessed with the opportunity to take part in the Mark Morris summer intensive program. She spent two years as a member of Brooks and Company Dance. During those two years she performed in their main stage production of Blackbird and Shorts 5 and 6, their spring concerts. Refuge came into her life in perfect to timing. She is excited to have a home with Refuge and to share the Lord’s love to audiences through dance.
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Jacqueline Ospina
Dancer
Jacqueline Ospina just joined Refuge. Bio and Photo coming soon...
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Rebecca Geiger
Dancer
Rebecca Geiger was first introduced to the art of ballet in Colombia, South America, where she spent the first fourteen years of her life. Upon returning to the United States, she moved to Pennsylvania and began serious ballet training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Her love of dance led her to pursue an academic dance education after graduating from high school, and Rebecca earned her B.A. in Dance from Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi in 2005. She has taught dance at various studios both in Pennsylvania and Georgia and is currently a primary faculty member at the Georgia Ballet. Rebecca moved to Georgia in 2008 to pursue a Master’s Degree in Community Counseling and she ultimately plans to use her expertise in dance and the arts in a community development setting. Her recent projects include performance and research in Thailand, Cambodia and Australia.
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Susie Grimley
Dancer
Susie Grimley has lived and performed in Atlanta for 20 years. She has danced with Praise in Motion and the Covington Regional Ballet, and has acted at the Alliance Theatre, Horizon Theatre, Jewish Theatre of the South, Theatre in the Square, the Shakespeare Tavern, and Theatrical Outfit. Susie has also sung with the Atlanta Symphony, played piano at the Atlanta Ballet, and served on the administrative staffs of the Southern Arts Federation, Horizon Theatre, and Theatrical Outfit. She plans to keep dancing and acting until her knees and memory give out.
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Joy Cauley
Dancer
Joy Cauley just joined Refuge. Bio and Photo coming soon...
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Repertory
Click on the links below to learn more about the works in Refuge’s repertory
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Hinds’ Feet on High Places
Choreography by Katherine Gant
55 minutes
11 dancers
Music can be performed live with a Piano, Violin, and Viola or with a recording.
This piece is inspired by the book Hinds’ Feet on High Places. It is an allegory of the Christian walk. The piece centers around Much-Afraid and her journey to the High Places.
Click on the image above to view highlights
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Rest
Choreography by Katherine Gant
11 minutes
6 dancers and 6 lawn chairs
Recorded voice and drum track
This piece is taken from a sermon preached by Derek Sweatman about the subject of sabbathing. Through the 11 minutes the audience with see 6 dancers doing their “Daily movement” and see different scenarios of resting: unexpected rest, rest by choice, rebellion from rest and true rest. This piece reaches humanities need for rest, and touches on our ever increasing busy mainframe and calls us to trust that resting is not only good for us but a must.
Click on the image above to view highlights
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Ask Your Mother
Choreography by Angella Foster
9 minutes
8 dancers
Recorded music
A core of dancers with black sharpies and poster boards take the stage to share questions we all have asked our mothers at some point. Questions ranging from mundane to heavy and all center around a soloist that can’t seem to ask her question. With the support of the cast, she finds the courage to ask the questions that we all seem to have lingering in the back of our minds. Process of asking is significant to reveal more of who you are.
Click on the image above to view highlights
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Spoken Bones
Choreography by Angella Foster
6 minutes
7 dancers
Recorded music
This piece is inspired by Ezekiel 37, the Valley Dry Bones. A soloist encounters the valley of dry bones and speaks life into the bodies as commanded by the Lord. The piece includes portions of the scripture quoted out loud by the dancers. Spiritual drought step of faith and pulling out the promise that he makes all things new. -
Sotto Voce
Choreography by Marc Arentsen
7 minutes
8 dancers
Music by Bach, Takénobu
“Sometimes life seems riddled with persistent, internal critical voices that are intent on informing all of my decisions,” choreographer Marc M. Arentsen says about his work Sotto Voce. “They are like bad companions and it may sometimes seem impossible to escape their bullying and unrelenting whispers that bring doubt and distrust, even panic. However, when you grasp what is right, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy, the perspective changes and we can lay hold of hope, peace and joy.”
Click on the image above to view highlights
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Additional Repertory
Refuge also has many different pieces that have a more worshipful focus that would work well in a worship service. We have pieces to spoken psalms and are also available to create new works to cater to your event. Please Contact us or visit our Booking page for more information. -
Photo Galleries
Click on an image below to view Refuge’s photo galleries
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Performances
Connect
March 1st - 3pm and 7pm
Following the success of last year’s Restored, Refuge Dance Company and Bluebird: uncaged are teaming up again to present Connect, a collection of works providing a glimpse at the missions of several local non-profit organizations as interpreted through dance.
The Art Place
3330 Sandy Plains Rd.
Marietta, GA 30066
Map it!
Tickets:
$12 - Adult
$10 - Student/Senior (65+)
Purchase tickets now!
Past Shows
Click below to see photos & videos of Refuge’s past performances
Videos
Photos
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Get Involved
Join
Refuge does not hold formal auditions at this point. The best way for a dancer to get involved with Refuge is to come and take class with the company.
Our classes are held at various locations throughout the metro Atlanta area, so please enter your contact information Contact form on our Contact page and we will send you information about our upcoming classes.
Volunteer
Refuge is always looking for talented people who want to volunteer their time and talents. Please contact us if you are interested in volnteering in any of the following areas:
- Administrative
- Marketing/PR
- Costumes
- Box Office
- Board of Directors
Partner
Like many arts organizations, Refuge receives almost all of our funding from individuals, families, churches, and organizations that choose partner with us as we continue to grow. Without people just like you, we wouldn’t exist.
Please take a moment to visit our Partner page for more information on how you can get involved as one of Refuge’s financial partners.
Give
Are you prepared to make an online donation now?
Please feel free to do so using one of the buttons below.
JustGive.org
Google Wallet
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Partner
Monthly Partnership
Monthly Partners provide consistent support for Refuge’s on-going financial needs. There are four suggested levels of monthly support:
- $10.14 - “Venti Lattes for 2”
- $23.56 - “Four #1 Value Meals”
- $48.74 - “Date Night”
- $99 - “Did I pay the Cable Bill?”
Each partnership level offers specific benefits. Check out the print version of our Partner Packet for more information about the benefits you will receive.
One-time Giving
One-time gifts of any amount will help Refuge continue to thrive and grow. Please consider giving at one of the following levels:
- $25-$99 - Partner
- $100-$249 - Bronze Partner
- $250-$499 - Silver Partner
- $500-$999 - Gold Partner
- $1,000+ - Platinum Partner
Please contact David Gant if you would like information on sponsoring a specific program or performance series.
Thank You!
We would like to say “Thank You” to our current and past partners:
- Danny & Miss Handwerker
- The Wenger Family
- Graham & Linda Wells
- Dan & Linda Williamson
- Clea Calloway
- Martha Crawford
- Dan & JoAnn Crenshaw
- Shirley & Marty Bennett
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Host Refuge
Hosting Refuge is an easy, three step process
Select a Venue
Refuge Dance Company has pieces that can be adapted to fit virtually any space. The only absolute necessities are a clean, safe space to dance and adequate lighting. The ideal space would be one of the following:
- A theater with a stage that is at least 40’ wide by 25’ deep
- A large, flat church stage with industrial carpet or wood floor
- An outdoor venue with a clean and stable stage
Schedule a Date
Our calendar and budget for a performance is usually as flexible as our dancers, but we do try to book performances at least 4 to 6 weeks before the performance date to allow for appropriate promotion of the event.
Please contact our Executive Director David Gant directly if you would like to reserve a specific date.
Promote the Event
Refuge will provide you with the promotional materials you will need to promote the show. Once the date and venue are booked, we will meet with you to put together a marketing plan. Potential marketing materials include:
- Posters
- Flyer/Postcards
- Promotional Bookmarks
- Press Release Templates
- Promotional Videos
- Graphics
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Contact Us
Refuge Dance Company
4566 Grove Park Way NW
Acworth, GA 30101
Phone: 678-630-9600
E-mail: info@refugedance.org -
Thank You!
Thank you for contacting us. We will respond to your message as soon as possible.
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Rehearsal Videos
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Costumes
Costumes have moved to a new page
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Legal/Credits
Atlanta Web Design by Gant Services
Selected Photographs by Rebekah Ruth Photography
Click here to view our Privacy Policy.
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Privacy Policy
Wow that font is small - here is a readable version
Refuge Dance Company is committed to safeguarding your privacy online. Refuge Dance Company does not collect personal information about individuals, such as names and mailing or email addresses, unless the individual knowingly provides it. In choosing to provide this information, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Refuge Dance Company’s Privacy Policy. Refuge Dance Company’s Privacy Policy is outlined below. Please note that we review our privacy practices from time to time, and that these practices are subject to change. We ask that our visitors periodically review this page to ensure familiarity with the most current version of our privacy statement
Usage Data - When you visit the Refuge Dance Company website, our servers automatically collect information about the IP address from which you access the site (an IP address is the number that is automatically assigned to your computer whenever you are surfing the web), the pages you visit, the date and time you access our site, and the type of browser and operating system that you are using. We use this information to better understand how our site is used. This research is compiled and analyzed on an aggregated basis.
Email Content - You may choose to provide us with personal information in an email message to one of the addresses listed throughout our site. We use this information only to respond to your message.
As a service, Refuge Dance Company offers visitors the opportunity to subscribe to our mailing list. You may unsubscribe at any time. Any information you choose to provide may be used for marketing and promotional purposes. Refuge Dance Company wishes to assure subscribers that email addresses are never shared, rented or sold to third parties. However, we may use cookies to track the pages on our site visited by subscribers to our email list.
Children Twelve and Under - Refuge Dance Company does not solicit personal information from children. Visitors twelve years of age and under should remember that they are required to obtain an adult's permission before submitting any personal information to this or any other Web site.
Cookies - Cookies are small files of information that are stored on your computer's hard drive by your Web browser. The cookies we use do not contain any personal information. Most Web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can change the preferences of your browser so that it does not accept or blocks them. If you block cookies you may not be able to use certain site features or functions.
Data Sharing - You should be aware that your name and basic contact information, but not email addresses, may be exchanged with other arts organizations and arts programmers as well as other select organizations. These organizations may attempt to contact you to promote products or services that they offer. Such contacts will only be made with our consent, and we will only grant our consent when we consider the offer to be of potential interest and benefit to you. We do not sell, exchange, share, or rent any lists to political parties or candidates for political office. Credit card information is not made available to any third party and is considered completely confidential.
Opting-Out - If you do not want your name and/or contact information to be used in the manner stated above, you may indicate this at the time you provide the information. If an “opt-out” option is not offered, or you decide after you have provided this information that you do not want us to share your information with any other organization, you may also notify us via email (subject line “do not share”). We cannot, however, remove your name from any third party list; you will have to contact them directly.
Questions or comments, please email us.
