I sent the below email to the SDT membership on Friday of concert week. The concert this year was truly special. I am sincerely blown away by everything that Steamboat Dance Theatre is. I think our founding members would be so proud; proud to know what SDT has become and is becoming in this community. I am humbled and blessed by how the community shows up for us- the amount of participants, sponsors, donors, accolades and standing ovations we received – truly amazing. Thank you. Our production team did an outstanding job. Hats off to Courtney, Haley, and Kelly. You hit it out of the ballpark. Words cannot adequately express how grateful I am to witness and be a part of this family.
In 1972 the concert was founded by 12 dancers who wanted to put on a community concert. Keeping true to this vision, we extend the participation invite to anyone in the community- regardless of whether or not you’ve ever set foot on a stage in your life. In the early 2000s, we formed our scholarship program and then added the fundraising component to the show. Now, it’s morphed into a robust sell-out show with over 200 dancers that raises the bulk of our scholarship funding. What a transformation. What a unique space. What a beautiful metamorphosis.
March 28, 2025
Friday… sitting here with morning coffee and sunshine, so happy and grateful.
The concert’s theme this year: Metamorphosis, is so profound. It speaks not only to the transformation of the organization, but also the transformation of self as we dance. It’s incredible. The concert is incredible. YOU all are incredible, for being a part of this organization and our dance family here. If you’re not dancing, I hope you are able to enjoy the concert as an audience member (or virtually!) and I hope you will consider joining us next year!
I wanted to share one testimony from a previous year:
“It’s the last day of dance theatre performances and today I can’t sleep. Not due to anxiety, not due to car trouble, not for stress. I’m awake because I’m truly sad the experience is going to be over for another whole year. I cannot believe where I started in this journey to where I am now; thanks to Emily Stein, Joshua Stein and Ji Min Shwangri-La, I’ve gone from a timid girl who didn’t want anyone to see me try to do choreographed dance, to being confident in my body.
I am shocked when I watch the videos from every week and see the growth and change. You don’t see it’s happening, bur rather it hits you like a freight train of good feels. The feeling of seeing myself hit every move and exude confidence is indescribable.
I will miss seeing my dance family every week, but am dedicated to growing and developing these beautiful friendships even further. I spent four months with all of these talented people who helped me grow, who watched me become frustrated, who encouraged me, and helped me when I was no more graceful than a turkey missing a leg. I’ll continue to pursue dance, I’ll keep taking classes, and next year I plan to be a force to be reckoned with at auditions. Much love to you my beautiful, weird, wonderful, crazy talented dance family.” – Bexley.
Metamorphosis.
Bexley passed away last October…I am SO grateful they had this experience and this dance family to lean on, to lift up, and to bring out this sense of self. And now I’m crying.
I’m so grateful for you all.
So here’s my task for you… Pause right now and take a moment to sit in the beauty of life. Be present in your experiences. Move your body, KEEP dancing, and connect. And have SO MUCH FUN.
Marlowe said in her video “what stresses us stretches us.” The morsels of wisdom she brought to rehearsal every week were delicious and deeply enriching. What/who are you becoming through this process?
Thank you…thank you all for being here, for being a part of this organization, for helping us morph into our future, and for the joy, creativity, diversity, passion, light, loveliness, energy, enthusiasm, and love you radiate.
All the feels,
Lori Biagi ”
Kay Rawlings also said it beautifully:
Steamboat Pilot Letter to the Editor- Kay Rawlings
Dance truly has the power to transform lives…whether you’re an audience member or a performer, or just someone who dances in your kitchen, there’s a reason we are born wanting to move to music. It’s healing, it makes you feel ALIVE, and it provides breath and joy. It truly is The Best Life.
