Though currently based in San Francisco, ODC stands for Oberlin Dance Collective, named for the Ohio college where it began in 1971. Founded by Brenda Way, ODC began as a collective of dancers, painters, writers, photographers, and musicians who all piled into a yellow bus in 1976 and drove to the West Coast; the company has flourished there ever since.

The first modern dance company in the US to create its own home facility, ODC celebrates dance through its questing spirit, open mind, attention to the new, and sense of play. The company has a rich repertoire created by its in-house choreographers, all of whom display a passion for expression and communication through the exploration of movement. In keeping with the collective spirit, ODC not only shines in its performances, but also stands out for its wide array of dance training, outreach, and community development programs.

An evening of ODC dance is always entertaining and thought-provoking. The Velveteen Rabbit, for example, a piece based on the cherished children’s book and choreographed with sophistication by KT Nelson, is a perfect example of ODC’s ability to layer its intelligence and entrance children while also engaging adults. The broad variety of short and evening-length pieces in the company’s repertoire are as diverse as they are interesting and beautifully wrought, which is why, after forty years, ODC continues to enthrall.
– (MK)

ODC Dance Information

• Public Transportation: Excellent (a short walk from buses 14, 30, and 45 at 3rd Street/Mission Street; and buses 5, 6, 9, 21, 31, 38, 38L, and 71, light rail lines F, J, K, L, M, N, and T, and BART trains at the Montgomery Street station. Also accessible by Golden Gate Transit, SamTrans, and Caltrain)
• Handicapped Accessibility: Good
• Performances/Programs: Two annual home seasons of about two weeks each
• Ticket Prices: From $15–$45. Discounts are available for students, seniors, and educators; actual amounts vary by performance. Free admission to the ODC Gallery is included with the purchase of a ticket
• Group Discounts: Groups of 10 or more receive a 15% discount
• Membership: Annual membership to ODC Verge is $35 and includes invitations to special events, 20% off prime seats at ODC performances, and 2-for-1 tickets at select shows at the ODC Theater
• Special Membership for Young Adults: Although ODC Verge doesn’t have an official age limit, this organization is aimed at young and avid dance fans in the Bay Area. In addition to the offerings mentioned above, the organization offers networking parties and opportunities to participate in the Verge Leadership Council, which strives to cultivate new support for contemporary arts in the Bay Area.