OUR
HISTORY
EDGE
Performing Arts Center was founded in 1992 by the L.A. DanceForce
corporation. In 1989, the Founders had previously formed the L.A.
DANCEFORCE International Convention and Competition (1989-2010) that was
based at L.A. Dance Academy (formerly Dupree Dance Academy). When in
1991 L.A. Dance Academy closed, we opened EDGE the following year. EDGE
would continue to provide tradition and a highest level of training
bringing together the best of L.A. while connected with the Hollywood
dance industry. Together, EDGE and the L.A. DANCEFORCE tour brought EDGE
and L.A. dance to the masses in the US, Canada, Australia and New
Zealand that was instrumental in establishing the global brand identity
EDGE enjoys today.
Our
original location was at the historic Television Center building in
Hollywood where we were based from 1992-2021. It was an artsy creative
space with four studios and views of Hollywood and the Hollywood sign.
Within a few years of opening, EDGE’s annual attendance grew to over
90,000 people.
With
this success, the corporation moved on to its next phase of creating
more space for the studio and adding a school that will provide a bridge
between the professional studio experience and postsecondary education.
In 2010, we reached an agreement with Television Center that included
building from the ground up the facility we wanted in a parking
structure for the building. Fun fact, the studio was built where the
original Metro building once stood. After numerous building delays, the
facility was opened in August 2015.
After
settling in, we began work on Academy at EDGE and 2018 we received
approval for the academy to operate as an educational institution. The
2019-2020 school year was the academy’s first year. All three
certificate programs were in operation.
We had
formed a suite of corporations that include L.A. DanceForce Inc., The
Dance Fund (non-profit, 2005-present) and the Academy at EDGE
corporation.
2020
brought significant challenges for the corporations. The pandemic
restrictions prevented us from having in-person classes forcing us to
completely remarket the businesses. When in August 2020 Television
Center was sold. With the pandemic and economic downturn, despite
assurances to the contrary, the new owners decided to go in a different
direction. By September, after 28 years, we closed the Hollywood
facility.
Despite our plans to reopen in North Hollywood, in July 2021 we
permanently closed both the academy and studio.
L.A. DanceForce Inc
(est. 1992)
Randy
Allaire - CEO, General Manager, LADF Exec. Dir., EDGE Dir.
Bill
Prudich - CFO, EDGE Exec. Dir., LADF Dir.
Academy at EDGE
(est. 2018)
Randy
Allaire - President, CEO
Bill Prudich - Executive Director, COO, Interim Dean
Lee Dedicatoria, MBA, PhD - Chief Academic Officer
Maria Anastacio - Administrative Officer
The Dance Fund
(est. 2005)
Randy
Allaire - CEO, Sec, General Manager
Bill Prudich - CFO
Founders L.A.
DanceForce Inc.
All of the Founders taught at EDGE and on the convention and comprised
the Board of Directors.
Eliana Alexander - Board member (1992-1995)
Randy Allaire - CEO, General Manager, LADF Exec. Dir., EDGE Dir.
(1992-present)
Carol Connors - VP, LADF Tour Director (1992-2013)
Keith Clifton - Board member (1992-1995)
Rhonda Miller - Sec (1992-2001)
Bill Prudich - CFO, EDGE Exec. Dir., LADF Dir. (1992-present) |