NEWSLETTER
An intimate evening of dance, conversation, and a first look at new work
Hudson, NY — On Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 7 PM, Hudson Hall at the historic Hudson Opera House presents Doug Varone & Dancers: STRIPPED (no costumes, no lights)—an up-close, informal evening that invites audiences inside the creative process of one of contemporary dance’s most respected and adventurous companies.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026, Doug Varone & Dancers (DOVA) will perform excerpts and complete works from its repertory, alongside a preview of a new dance by Doug Varone set to Radiohead’s landmark 2007 album In Rainbows. The work was developed as part of the company’s anniversary season, which was slated to include performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Those engagements were cancelled last December when Varone withdrew from the Trump-Kennedy Center, citing moral objections. In a statement to the New York Times, Varone described the decision as “financially devastating but morally exhilarating”. Hudson Hall audiences now have the opportunity to experience this work up close in an intimate setting.
Performed in rehearsal clothes with simple lighting, STRIPPED strips away theatrical polish to reveal how dances are built through performance, demonstration, and conversation. Speaking directly to the audience from the floor alongside the dancers, Varone shares the intricacies of how dances are built and performed, offering both longtime dance lovers and first-time viewers a welcoming framework for experiencing contemporary dance.
The evening concludes with a post-performance reception with the artists presented in collaboration with Dancers Responding to AIDS, producers of the annual Hudson Valley Dance Festival. This collaboration and ‘Pay What You Wish’ ticket price (free for Hudson Hall members) continues Hudson Hall’s commitment to pairing world-class artistry with meaningful community connection and access for all.
“If these dancers don’t move you, I don’t know what would.” — Dance Magazine
About Doug Varone & Dancers
Founded in 1986, DOVA brings to life the creative vision of choreographer and director Doug Varone. Known for work that is emotionally rich, physically rigorous, and profoundly human, the company has earned 11 Bessie Awards and performed in more than 125 cities across 45 U.S. states, as well as internationally throughout Europe, Asia, Canada, and South America.
DOVA’s performances have appeared on major stages including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Venice Biennale, and Buenos Aires’ Teatro San Martín. Alongside performance, the company maintains a strong commitment to education and mentorship through residencies, workshops, and long-term engagement with dancers and communities.
About Doug Varone
Doug Varone is an award-winning choreographer and director whose work spans dance, theater, opera, film, and fashion. He has created commissions for leading dance companies worldwide, including the Martha Graham Dance Company, Rambert Dance Company, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Batsheva Dance Company. In opera, Varone has directed and choreographed productions for The Metropolitan Opera, Minnesota Opera, New York City Opera, and others, and his choreography has appeared on Broadway and at major regional theaters across the U.S.
A passionate educator and advocate for dance, Varone is widely admired for work that combines kinetic power with emotional depth—movement that reveals not just how bodies move, but why.
Event Details:
STRIPPED: (no costumes, no lights)
Doug Varone & Dancers
Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 7 PM
Tickets: Pay What You Wish ($10-$20 suggested donation). Free for members. Tickets can be reserved at hudsonhall.org or by phone at (518) 822-1438.
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Photo courtesy of Doug Varone and Dancers