Founded in 1988 by Joyce DiLauro, its artistic director and choreographer, Starship Dance Theater is a nonprofit organization serving the shoreline communities with two major productions a year, as well as outreach programs.

For over a decade Starship Dance Theater has been a cooperative in which young dancers are assisted by pre-professionals and professionals, with artists in the community volunteering to create sets, costumes, advertising and publicity. Young and old work together to make this a multigenerational performing experience, teaching the importance of working together. Starship Dance Theater auditions artists of all ages to perform multiple professional productions each year. “The Magic Toyshop”, one of Starship’s largest events, is known throughout the region for its lavish sets and costumes, engaging and humorous choreography and storyline, and “equal opportunity inclusiveness” in the composition of its cast. Many previous dancers from Starship Dance Theater have gone on to successful dance careers in New York City.

About Joyce DiLauro

Joyce has over 25 years teaching experience.  She is founder and artistic director of Starship Dance Theater, a nonprofit, community-based performing arts program dedicated to bringing dance to the shoreline community.  She is the secretary and a founding board member of the Connecticut Dance Alliance.  She began her dance training in her mother’s dancing school and continued in New York City at American Ballet Theater and American Ballet Center. She studied under such renowned teachers as Valentina Pereyaslavec and Maria Swoboda. She studied Jazz with Luigi, as well as modern, African, and Belly Dancing under other mentors.