Continuity

We recognize the value of all that has come before, and the beautiful traditions of dance we’ve inherited. SCDT is committed to giving the community a chance to experience top-quality productions of the classic ballets.

Audacity

While we embrace the classics, we also want to show our audiences the breathtaking range of what our art can express. Through bold new works of contemporary dance, we’ll show Santa Cruz the depth of expression and impression that have made so many around the world fall in love with dance.

Enrichment

We believe that dance can be not just entertaining, but also nourishing. Our shows offer plenty for those looking for spectacle, but we also aim to reveal everything else that dance can bring out, from deep explorations of the human experience to fascinating exhibitions of the body as architecture.

Stability

Live performance is a precious experience. We are proud to provide opportunities not only for dancers here in Santa Cruz and around the world, but also to the many often-invisible people who make theatre possible–from the technicians putting together the magic behind the scenes to the ushers and janitors and everyone else dedicating their labor to keeping it going.

Invitation

We love our art, and we want to bring as many people into its fold as possible. We aim to bring dance to as many people as possible so that people of all stripes can experience its depths. With the Santa Cruz Dance Festival (coming 2026), we want to allow Santa Cruz to experience the absolute best of dance right here at home.