Forward Motion Dance Company, Inc., is a Wilmington, NC, based non-profit 501(c)(3) dance organization whose mission is to provide local and regional communities with quality modern contemporary dance and education in the art of dance, as well as enhance the local arts community by providing performance opportunities for area dancers and performance artists.

Forward Motion Dance Company has a vision to find innovative ways to bring dance to the community, and cultivate an understanding and love of this art form. The company was founded by dancer and choreographer Tracey Varga in 2001 and incorporated in 2004, although Tracey has been dancing and choreographing in Wilmington since relocating from Seattle in 1996. Forward Motion Dance sponsors and co-sponsors public arts performances such as "Cape Fear Arts in Motion" and “Arts Sensation”, and offers education for schools and community organizations including the Snipes Academy of Arts and Design, Wilmington School of Ballet, DREAMS of Wilmington, The Dance Element, The Dance Cooperative, and the YWCA Lower Cape Fear.
Forward Motion Dance Company is a volunteer organization, and wishes to thank all those who donate their valuable time for rehearsal, performance, production, collaboration and fundraising efforts. The Board of Directors is Mary Scott Bethune, Diane Evers, Stella Johnson, Becky Spivey, Susan Turner, Elizabeth White, and Company Choreographer and Director Tracey Varga. Company Dancers are Kara Abbott, Savannah Brooks, Nicole Dalier, Trilby Shier, Becky Spivey, and Susan Turner. If you are interested in volunteering, sponsorship, or an opportunity to become a board member, please speak to any member of the company or board.

Forward Motion Dance Company is honored to be a recipient of grants over the years from the Women’s Impact Network of New Hanover County, the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County and the North Carolina Arts Council, the Landfall Foundation, NC Cares for the Arts, and the American Rescue Plan for the Arts, all to continue our mission to provide collaborative, contemporary dance performances in local venues which highlight the talents of Choreographer Tracey Varga and many wonderful dancers, musicians, and visual and vocal artists.

Events

2024
September 19-20	Cape Fear Arts in Motion, Thalian Hall, Forward Motion Dance Company Annual Performance
September 6	Enchanting Evening on Edgewater, Fundraiser
April 26	20^th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for Plastic Ocean Project
April 12	Wilmington Dance Festival, Kenan Auditorium, Performance
March 24	Sunset Cocktail Party, Fundraiser, The Penthouse

2023
September 21-22	Cape Fear Arts in Motion, Thalian Hall, Forward Motion Dance Company Annual Performance
April 21	19^th Annual Arts Sensation at Community Arts Center, A Benefit for The Good Shepherd Center
February 26	Sunset Cocktail Party, Fundraiser, The Penthouse

2022
November 17	Dance-a-lorus, Thalian Hall Main Stage, Performance
September 22-23	Cape Fear Arts in Motion, Thalian Hall, Forward Motion Dance Company Annual Performance
May 6-7	Wilmington Dance Festival, Kenan Auditorium, Performance
March 3	Pierre Bensusan, Community Arts Center, Guest performances

2021
November 14	Dance-a-lorus, Thalian Hall Main Stage, Performance
October 17	Peace Through Music Concert, Community Arts Center, Guest performance

2020
November 19	Dance-a-lorus, Kenan Auditorium Parking Lot, UNCW, Performance
May 3	Sunset Cocktail Party, Fundraiser, Jesse’s Yacht Club (CANCELLED)
April 17	19^th Annual Arts Sensation at Community Arts Center, A Benefit for The Good Shepherd Center (CANCELLED)
March 7	Pierre Bensusan, Community Arts Center, Guest performances

2019
September 13-14	Cape Fear Arts in Motion, Thalian Hall , Forward Motion Dance Company Annual Performance
August 25	Sunset Cocktail Party, Fundraiser, The Penthouse
April 26	18^th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for WARM
March 22-23	Wilmington Dance Festival, Kenan Auditorium, Performance
February 24	Sunset Cocktail Party, Fundraiser, The Penthouse

2018
October 12	Cape Fear Arts in Motion, Thalian Hall, Forward Motion Dance Company Annual Performance
April 28	17^th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for Cape Fear River Watch
August 12	Sunset Cocktail Party, Fundraiser, The Penthouse
April 6-7	Wilmington Dance Festival, Kenan Auditorium, Performance
February 11	Forward Motion Dance Benefit & Wine Tasting, Ted’s Fun on the River

2017
September 15-16	Cape Fear Arts in Motion, Thalian Hall, Forward Motion Dance Company Annual Performance
August 17	Cameron Art Museum, Performance
August 6	Sunset Cocktail Dance Party, Fundraiser, The Penthouse
July16	Lumina Festival, Performance
May 6	16^th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for Cape Fear River Watch
March 31-April 1	Wilmington Dance Festival, Kenan Auditorium, Performance
March 19	Dance Audition for Arts Sensation, 4:30 at the Wilmington School of Ballet
February 19	Forward Motion Dance Benefit & Wine Tasting, Ted’s Fun on the River

2016
September 16-17	Cape Fear Arts in Motion, Thalian Hall, Forward Motion Dance Company Annual Performance
April 29	15^th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for Cape Fear River Watch
August 25	Cameron Art Museum, Performance
April 15-16	Wilmington Dance Festival, Community Arts Center, Performance
February 4	Forward Motion Dance Benefit & Wine Tasting, Ted’s Fun on the River

2015
February 5	Forward Motion Dance Benefit & Wine Tasting, Ted’s Fun on the River
April 16	14^th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for Lower Cape Fear Hospice
August 13	Cameron Art Museum, Performance
September 17-18	Cape Fear Arts in Motion, Thalian Hall, Forward Motion Dance Company Annual Performance

2014
September 12-13	Cape Fear Arts in Motion, Thalian Hall, Forward Motion Dance Company Annual Performance
August 28	Cameron Art Museum, Performance
March 15	13^th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for Kids Making It
February 13	Forward Motion Dance Benefit & Wine Tasting, Ted’s Fun on the River
February 7-9	North Carolina Dance Festival, Community Arts Center, Performance

2013
June 27-29	Forward Motion Dance Company, Community Arts Center, Annual Performance
April 5	12^th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for the Arts Council of Wilmington & New Hanover County
February 21-23	The Big Read, Cameron Art Museum, Performance
February 9	Forward Motion Dance Benefit & Wine Tasting, Projekte
January 11-13	North Carolina Dance Festival, UNCW, Performance

2012
September 8	Dance Blast, Community Arts Center, Performance
June 28-30	Forward Motion Dance Company, Community Arts Center, Annual Performance
June 14	Cameron Art Museum, Performance
March 22	11^th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for Indo Jax Surf Charities
February 24-26	North Carolina Dance Festival, Performance
February 11	Forward Motion Dance Benefit & Wine Tasting, Projekte

2011
November 10	Dance-a-lorus, Performance
July 28-30	Forward Motion Dance Company, Community Arts Center, Annual Performance
June 23	Cameron Art Museum, Performance
May 26	Dance Cooperative 10^th Anniversary Concert, Performance
April 17	10^th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for the Full Belly Project
February 5-6	North Carolina Dance Festival, Performance

2010
November 11	Dance-a-lorus, Performance
October 29	Haunt, Cameron Art Museum, Performance
August 19	9^th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for the Full Belly Project
September 10	Dance Blast, Community Arts Center, Performance
June 10-12	Forward Motion Dance Company, Community Arts Center, Annual Performance
May 20	Cameron Art Museum, Performance
May 29	WE Fest at Soapbox Laundro-lounge, Performance
April 30	Domestic Violence Shelter 18th Annual Silent Auction & Fashion Show, Hilton Wilmington Riverside, Performance
April 13-14	Arts Poetica, Community Arts Center, Performance
February 26-28	North Carolina Dance Festival, Performance

2009
November 11	Dance-a-lorus, Performance
August 8	HOT FEET…COOL BEAT! Forward Motion Dance Company and the Wilmington Big Band at Thalian Hall, Performance
June 26-27	Forward Motion Dance Company, Community Arts Center, Annual Performance
May 22-23	WE Fest at Soapbox Laundro-lounge, Performance
April 16	8^th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for the Full Belly Project
February 27-March 1	North Carolina Dance Festival, Performance
February 12	Forward Motion Dance Benefit & Wine Tasting, Bottega Art & Wine
January 29	Cameron Art Museum, Performance

2008
November 15	Kids at CAM, Featured Artist and Company
November 12	Dance-a-lorus, Performance
October 25	WE Fest at Soapbox Laundro-lounge, Performance
August 2008	Sarus Festival, Performance
August 16	Swoon: A Celebration of Women in Music, Bottega Art & Wine, Performance
June 12-15	Forward Motion Dance Company, Thalian Hall Studio Theatre, Annual Performance
June 8	Cameron Art Museum, Performance
April 17	7^th Annual Arts Sensation at City Stage, A Benefit for the Good Shepherd House
February 13	Forward Motion Dance Benefit & Wine Tasting, The Wine Sampler
February 1	Cameron Art Museum, Performance

2007
November 7	Dance-a-lorus, Performance
September 14	David Pray & Aqua Viva at Cameron Art Museum, Performance
June 21-24	Forward Motion Dance Company, Thalian Hall Studio Theatre, Annual Performance
Summer 2007	“Reflections on Tomorrow” YWCA summer program, Producer
May 31	Forward Motion Dance Benefit & Wine Tasting, Bottega Art & Wine
May 12	Celebrate Hampstead, Performance
May 4	New Horizons School, Interactive performance & demonstration
April 29	6^th Annual Arts Sensation Benefit, City Stage
April 27	Domestic Violence Shelter Fashion Show, Dancers perform & model
January 26	Cameron Art Museum, Performance
January 17	YWCA Annual Meeting, Volunteer Appreciation Award received

2006
November 2006	Dance-a-lorus, Performance
November 11-12	Celebrate the Arts Festival, Performance
September 2006	Film Studios for Leadership, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, Performance
Summer 2006	YWCA Summer Camp, Creative Arts Dance Program
June 22-25	Forward Motion Dance Company, Thalian Hall Studio Theatre, Annual Performance
April 2006	GWACA Meeting at Cameron Art Museum, Performance
May 2006	UNCW Adult Scholars Program, Performance
May 18	Forward Motion Dance Benefit with The Wine Sampler, Bijou Restaurant
April 2	5^th Annual Arts Sensation Benefit, City Stage