ARTICLE
Have you ever thought about what it takes to be a professional dancer? It can be easy to see a beautiful performance and leave our admiration for the art at the event. So, what exactly does life behind-the-scenes look like? Jermaine Thronton with Florida Dance Theatre gave us some insight into his story as a Professional Dancer/ Executive Director, how Florida Dance Theatre serves the community, and his hopes for the company. Jermaine's Story Jermaine started with Florida Dance Theatre in September 2012 as an instructor and professional dancer. He quickly gained more responsibility in addition to his dancing and teaching as the front desk receptionist. After a year he became the executive assistant. From 2015 to 2018 Jermaine was the Director of Development and in July of 2019 Jermaine became the Executive Director of Florida Dance Theatre. Along with his Florida Dance Theatre responsibilities Jermaine is part of Leadership Lakeland Class 38, serves on the Advisory Board of Harrison School of the Arts, the Lakeland Mayor’s Council for The Arts, and Board for Lakeland Vision Florida Dance Theatre "The mission of the Academy of Florida Dance Theatre is to allow each student, regardless of age, proficiency level, or aspiration, to obtain the correct training and experience necessary to fully enjoy dance as a living art form. The close affiliation with the professional company gives the students of the Academy, whether or not they intend to pursue dance as a career, the chance to fully experience the self enriching benefits of rigorous training, physical and mental discipline, and artistic expression all on a journey that is enjoyable and fulfilling." -FDT Florida Dance Theatre (FDT was founded in 1993 by Carol Erkes. Ms. Erkes started the Florida Dance Theatre as a ballet company - Polk County's first and only professional company and training academy. FDT is a 501(c)3 non profit where professional dancers are engaged for 20 - 30 week sessions with a wide variety of performances, using dance to build relationships, educate, and even heal people. Their community outreach ranges from summer camps for kids in underserved communities to collaborations with retirement homes to engage with the seniors. Dancers even partner with medical facilities to advocate for cancer patients, survivors, and treatment. What is Next for Florida Dance Theatre As Florida Dance Theatre continues their community outreach programs they are also recruiting professional dancers as the company grows and performances return to full capacity post-Covid. You can be part of FDT’s future by sharing your thoughts and ideas on their next great performance or powerful connection between art and the community. Visit FloridaDanceTheatre.org to learn more and make your connection.
Have you ever thought about what it takes to be a professional dancer? It can be easy to see a beautiful performance and leave our admiration for the art at the event. So, what exactly does life behind-the-scenes look like? Jermaine Thronton with Florida Dance Theatre gave us some insight into his story as a Professional Dancer/ Executive Director, how Florida Dance Theatre serves the community, and his hopes for the company.
Jermaine's Story
Jermaine started with Florida Dance Theatre in September 2012 as an instructor and professional dancer. He quickly gained more responsibility in addition to his dancing and teaching as the front desk receptionist. After a year he became the executive assistant. From 2015 to 2018 Jermaine was the Director of Development and in July of 2019 Jermaine became the Executive Director of Florida Dance Theatre. Along with his Florida Dance Theatre responsibilities Jermaine is part of Leadership Lakeland Class 38, serves on the Advisory Board of Harrison School of the Arts, the Lakeland Mayor’s Council for The Arts, and Board for Lakeland Vision
Florida Dance Theatre
"The mission of the Academy of Florida Dance Theatre is to allow each student, regardless of age, proficiency level, or aspiration, to obtain the correct training and experience necessary to fully enjoy dance as a living art form. The close affiliation with the professional company gives the students of the Academy, whether or not they intend to pursue dance as a career, the chance to fully experience the self enriching benefits of rigorous training, physical and mental discipline, and artistic expression all on a journey that is enjoyable and fulfilling." -FDT
Florida Dance Theatre (FDT was founded in 1993 by Carol Erkes. Ms. Erkes started the Florida Dance Theatre as a ballet company - Polk County's first and only professional company and training academy. FDT is a 501(c)3 non profit where professional dancers are engaged for 20 - 30 week sessions with a wide variety of performances, using dance to build relationships, educate, and even heal people. Their community outreach ranges from summer camps for kids in underserved communities to collaborations with retirement homes to engage with the seniors. Dancers even partner with medical facilities to advocate for cancer patients, survivors, and treatment.
What is Next for Florida Dance Theatre
As Florida Dance Theatre continues their community outreach programs they are also recruiting professional dancers as the company grows and performances return to full capacity post-Covid. You can be part of FDT’s future by sharing your thoughts and ideas on their next great performance or powerful connection between art and the community. Visit FloridaDanceTheatre.org to learn more and make your connection.