Firebird Dance Theatre

Next Performance:
Annual San Francisco Russian Festival Performance
January 30–31, Russian Center of San Francisco
More info on the Official Festival Website

Firebird Dance Theatre is the Studio's performing company, under the artistic direction of Lotta Lysaya Burton. The theatre has a broad repertoire of dances that blur the boundaries between world and contemporary dance, and are known for their vibrant performances and unique choreography.

Photos and Videos

Photos: View photos of Firebird Dance Theatre shows.
Video: You can also see Firebird Dance Theatre in action in the video gallery.

Recent Shows
We dream in dance. And this is what we dreamed...

Simcha
The Simcha show is now available DVD! The DVD may be purchased at the Firebird Dance Studio for $25. Purchase your copy at the studio or contact us for more info.

Created in 2008, Simcha, Firebird's newest creation, is a beautiful dance show dedicated to all that is best in life: family, tradition, change, warmth, love, and joy. Inspired by the stories of Shalom Aleichem, Simcha is a touching celebration of the spirit, history, and culture of Judaism. It is an endearing tale about celebrations of the past and the present. The story is about a Jewish family’s journey from the shtetls of Eastern Europe to America. At times, both soulful and funny, Simcha weaves breathtaking dancing and memorable songs together in a touching story that will cause the whole family to resonate with the joy of life. The show debuted in December 2008, along with performances in February 2009. View the official Simcha website...

Quintessence
Created in 2007, Quintessence is a modern reinvention of the rich spirit and traditions of Russian Performing arts. The show is a spectacular visual and musical feast for the senses that combines Russian dancing, music, and clownery and infuses it with the spirit of innovation to create an utterly unique theatrical experience. Conceived and directed by Lotta Lysaya Burton, Quintessence uses the ancient philosophy of quintessence, the fifth element of nature — imagined to be the power of life — as well as the other four elements, earth, air, fire, and water. With this as its inspiration, Quintessence takes the audience on a unique journey, paying homage to the beauty and power of the five elements. In addition to the Firebird dancers, the show also featured the performing talents of world famous clowns, Licedei, and renowned Russian Rock Groups, Red Elvises and Ivan Kupala. More info...

Alice in Wonderland
Firebird Dance Theatre's first full-length original show, Alice in Wonderland, is an imaginitive reinvention of the classic Lewis Carol story. The show was created in 2006 as part of Firebird Dance School and Theatre's 15th Anniverasy celebration. Filled with rich, vibrant costumes and music, Firebird's adaptation of Alice in Wonderland takes the audience on a journey of world and modern dance with an Indian hookah-weilding caterpillar, a Venetian Cheshire Cat, and the swing-dancing Mad Hatter and Hare, just to name a few.

About the Theatre
History and Background

The theatre has entertained audiences in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Mexico and Canada. In their Bay Area home, they’ve performed on San Francisco’s most prestigious stages including the Palace of Fine Arts, Herbst Theater, San Francisco City Hall, Union Square, and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

Among their other audiences worldwide, Firebird has performed for San Francisco Mayors Willy Brown and Gavin Newsom, the Society of Artistic Heritage of Quebec, and the Israeli Parliament. In 2004 and again in 2006, they received the “Outstanding Performance” honor from the Society of Artistic Heritage of Quebec and in 2006 were invited back to perform in the Quebec Folklore Dance Festival in Montreal’s Place Des Arts Theater. They have received awards and Letters of Commendation from San Francisco Mayors Brown and Newsom, and from Israeli Parliament. Read more about their awards here.

In 2006, Firebird Dance Theatre performed their original dance show, Alice in Wonderland. Following that, in 2007, they debuted their next show, Quintessence with performances throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Most Recently, in 2008, Firebird Dance Theatre debuted their most recent and grandest show to date, Simcha

You can view photos of Firebird Dance Theatre's performances on the photos page as well as videos in the video gallery.