BOONE, N.C. — Since its inception 50 years ago, in 1975, the Appalachian Dance Ensemble (ADE) has premiered over 500 original works at Appalachian State University — for the enjoyment of tens of thousands of audience members throughout the High Country and beyond. These works have involved more than 5,700 students, faculty, guest artists and community members.

“As in any performing art, those who have danced on stage are less than half of the participants who have worked on the concerts behind the scenes,” said Marianne Adams, professor of dance studies in App State’s Department of Theatre and Dance.

Adams shared that thousands of students have participated in the ensemble as dancers, choreographers, lighting and costume designers, technicians and crew members — filling over 7,816 roles to present the dance ensemble throughout the years.

Cheryl Cutlip, founder and executive director of Project Dance Foundation, said ADE provides a platform for aspiring dancers to create and showcase their own work to a wide audience, adding, “It also offers area choreographers the opportunity to collaborate with App State dance students, developing and refining new pieces over an extensive rehearsal process.

“For the student dancers, this experience offers a glimpse into the professional dance world … balancing the demands of academics with evening rehearsals and long hours dedicated to their craft,” said Cutlip, who is an adjunct faculty member in the theatre and dance department. “It’s a pivotal step in their artistic journey — fostering creativity, discipline and a deeper passion for dance.”

While the majority of performance roles have been filled by students, many App State faculty and staff have mentored, choreographed and danced, including associate professor Laurie Atkins, professor Emily Daughtridge, associate professor Sherone Price and the late professor Susan Lutz.

Other choreographers who have contributed multiple works include senior lecturer Regina Gulick; dance educator Rebecca Keeter, a former lecturer in the theatre and dance department; senior lecturer Rebecca Quin; and former adjunct faculty member Holly Rivers. More recently, professor Dr. Ray Miller, professor Kevin Warner and assistant professor Chris Yon have created original pieces for the ensemble.

Dancing through the decades

The ensemble’s journey began when Lee Harper was hired as a visiting artist in 1973 and created a student company that evolved into ADE. Retired App State professor Wendy Fletcher began the Appalachian Dance Ensemble in 1975 as a cocurricular production tied to the university’s growing dance minor. She served as the director and primary choreographer for the first 13 years of the program. During her tenure, Fletcher often choreographed three to four different dances, rolled and taped the Marley floor surface, performed and silk screened the T-shirts for each concert.

The Appalachian Clogging Club performed at times with the dance ensemble, under the direction of physical education faculty member Ellie Thomas. Adams first danced with the ensemble in 1979 and began teaching as a graduate assistant in the early 1980s. Professors Jeff Fletcher and Ray Sinclair served as production managers in the earliest days of the program — building sets and fog machines, hauling floors and costumes, typing programs and driving dancers to and from rehearsals during snowstorms, among other duties.

Adams began choreographing for the ensemble in 1980 and served in co-director and director roles from the mid-’80s through 2007. She has contributed as a coordinator and choreographer intermittently since that time. In recent years, Atkins and Daughtridge, along with dance studies faculty members Price and Yon, have regularly served as coordinators for various ADE concerts.

Adams described Lutz, who passed away last May, as “the most consistent ADE co-coordinator and choreographer for the last 28 years.” Lutz began contributing choreography in the mid-’80s and was hired full time in 1997, with fall concerts added during her tenure, in 1989–90.

“These semiannual dance showcases offer students the opportunity to explore the craft of choreography, gain new perspectives on artistry and hone their performing and technical skills,” Adams said.

‘A creative laboratory’ for success

According to department chair Michael Helm, the continued success of ADE has been supported and elevated by the many artists who have shared their expertise and talents on the productions over the years, including vocal, orchestral and percussion musicians who provided live accompaniment at select concerts.

He said the ensemble has been a cornerstone of App State’s campus identity and a creative laboratory facilitating and enriching many endeavors.

Many former dancers have found creative paths forward through teaching, healing and performing, and in areas such as stage management and arts administration. A few notable ensemble alumni include Amy Chavasse, who danced with Laura Dean and Dancers; Jeannie Steele, a member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company for many years; and Rachel Scherer ’18, a stage manager for The Washington Ballet, Chamber Dance Project and other companies in and around Washington, D.C.

Arts patron Sandi Finci Solomon described the ensemble’s impact this way: “As a lifelong dance enthusiast, I find ADE exciting because it advances dance through the creation of new work and the encouragement of young talent. Dance is a timeless and ageless art form that improves health, brings generations together and, through ADE, is deserving of our support.”

The celebration of ADE’s 50th anniversary culminated with the Spring Appalachian Dance Ensemble, held March 26–30 in Valborg Theatre on App State’s Boone campus.

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ADE50 Includes Memorial Tribute to Honor Susan Lutz

March 14, 2025

A vital component of the Spring Appalachian Dance Ensemble (SADE) half century celebration – better known as ADE50 – is a memorial tribute to the late Susan Lutz, honoring a beloved dance colleague at Appalachian State University who passed away in May 2024.

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About the Department of Theatre and Dance

The Department of Theatre and Dance is one of seven departments housed in Appalachian’s College of Fine and Applied Arts. Its mission is to facilitate transformative experiences for students and the public, which cultivate compassionate, creative and collaborative communities through theatre and dance. The department also offers coursework for integrated learning through the arts to the general university student population. Its dynamic co-curricular production program provides exemplary theatre and dance experiences to departmental students, the university community and the region. Learn more at https://theatreanddance.appstate.edu.

About the College of Fine and Applied Arts

Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://cfaa.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.