• 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, Cassandra McAlister, McCall Milliken, 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, NC Cares for the Arts, the American Rescue Plan for the Arts, and most recently, the Landfall Foundation, 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

April 26

20th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for Plastic Ocean Project

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

19th 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

19th 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

18th 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

17th 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

16th 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

15th 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

14th 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

13th 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

12th 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

11th 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 10th Anniversary Concert, Performance

April 17

10th 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

9th 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

8th 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

7th 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

6th 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

5th Annual Arts Sensation Benefit, City Stage