Mission Statement
To support emerging dancers with the discipline, artistry, and confidence to succeed, while sharing their growth and brilliance with our community through professional-quality productions.
Meet Our WIDT Team
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Char Brown
Founder
Emma Patty-Caldwell
Artistic Director
Sidnie Flood
Assistant Artistic Director
Meet Our WIDT Team
FOUNDER & BOARD ADVISOR
Char Brown
In addition to founding Whidbey Island Dance Theatre, Charlene Brown is also the co-owner of Island Dance in Langley, WA.
Charlene brings about 45 years of dance experience to her studios and to WIDT. Charlene has studied with nationally known teachers and was a member of the Tacoma Performing Dance Company under the direction of Jo Emery. Her choreography has been seen in numerous Northwest area musical and dance productions.
Brown began her dance studio, Island Dance, on Whidbey Island in 1987. She has always been committed to offering the highest possible level of dance education and professional instructors to her students. Through many years of perseverance, Charlene has provided the opportunity for
thousands of dancers to further their dance education. Many of her students have gone on to college to receive dance degrees, while many more of her students have won individual titles and honors in the field.
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In 1993, extending her commitment to the art of choreography, Charlene's dream of a pre-professional dance company became a reality with Whidbey Island Dance Theatre. As the longtime co-artistic director and production manager, she directed more than 27 productions of "The Nutcracker," "The Snow Queen" and all annual WIDT spring concerts. Charlene also choreographs for "The Nutcracker" and is advisor to the WIDT Board of Directors.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Emma Patty-Caldwell
Bio pending.
ASSISTANT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Sidnie Flood
Bio pending.
Board of Directors & Advisors
Executive Board Members
Derek Hoshiko
Interim President
Sue Jobst
Vice President
Carolyn Uculmana
Treasurer
Nancy Bell
Secretary
General Board Members
Daunne Zinger
Grant Writer
Molly Jacobson
Board Member
Char Brown
Policies & Procedures
Rachel Enter-Guzman
Bookkeeper
Margot Bee
Board Member
Betty Lightner
Board Member
Advisory & Support Members
Kara Armatis
Office Manager
Connie Lippo
Advisory Council
Patricia Duff
Advisory Council
& Publicity
Paul Guzman
Advisory Council &
Technical Director
The Board of Directors is a collection of like-minded volunteers having a passion for the performing arts, especially dance, and a love for the community of Whidbey Island and the young aspiring talent it nurtures. They meet at least every month to ensure Whidbey's young dancers receive the best possible experience preparing them for demands of the real world through the joy of dance.
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There is always need for people engaged with the community with interest and skills in the operations of a non-profit business. If you have skills in numbers, legalese, networking, organizing, media, writing, or anything else, WIDT would love to meet with you about opportunities to become a board member.
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Please contact us at whidbeyidt@gmail.com. We would love to meet you.
The History of WIDT
Whidbey Island Dance Theatre (WIDT) was founded in 1993 with a love for dance. Back then it was known as Whidbey Dance Theatre, and it began with the idea of creating a new and exciting opportunity for young people in its community; young creatives of all ages, who also loved dance, could find their place on stage with their peers.
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Hard work paid off. As the company moved forward and found its legs, it provided real, pre-professional dance experience to outstanding young dancers. Its participation in the wider world of dance followed. The juried, national association of ballet companies, “Regional Dance America,” chose WIDT as an RDA performing company from 2001-2012. In 2014, WIDT joined the newly formed Ballet Alliance, an association of pre-professional dance companies. Each year, WIDT participates in The Ballet Alliance's annual 4-day festival where our dancers take master classes from renowned instructors, participate in dance-related seminars, perform for their peers, and forge new relationships.
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Since 2000, WIDT has performed throughout Washington, as well as in Arizona, California, Utah, Oregon, at the National Dance Festival in Pittsburgh, PA, and in Montreal, Canada. Through the years, both professional and community choreographers have expressed their appreciation for the generations of talented dancers they’ve worked with at WIDT.
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Each year, WIDT graces the stage with two major productions, “The Nutcracker” and “A Celebration of Dance,” its springtime performance of new choreography. Both highlight the diverse talents of its broadly trained dancers and feature the works of both resident and guest choreographers.
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These productions are a gift, 30 years of WIDT making the creative, athletic, joyful and fun-to-watch magic that is dance!
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Whidbey Island is about an hour drive north of Seattle, with a 20-minute ferry ride from Mukilteo to Clinton on the south end. The island is 55 miles long and between 1 and 10 miles wide. The largest population center is at the north end at Oak Harbor, which is accessible also by the Deception Pass Bridge. WIDT is located at the south end in Langley. The company's main performance venues are South Whidbey High School Auditorium, a 400-seat theater, and Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, which holds 250 seats.