Origins The Company was originally founded in 1965 by María Alba, known to many aficionados as being the greatest exponent of the seguiriya and many other Spanish dance drama pieces in the U.S.  It was an integral part of the summer concerts at Jacobs Pillow in the 60's and 70's under the name of The María Alba Spanish Dance Company. In 1980, the Company was revitalized under the direction of María and its current Director, Eva Lucena, who brought to the company a group of extraordinary new dancers and choreographers. Eva and María, before her passing in 1992, believed strongly in bringing a broad perspective of Spanish culture and traditions to the community.  To this end, they have worked to set the Company apart from other Spanish dance companies, by bringing to the stage dance dramas such as El Amor Brujo, and dramatizations of the poetry of Federico García Lorca, as well as regional and traditional dances from all parts of Spain, such as jotas from Valencia and dances from Asturias and Galicia.  Granada - the End, Eva's original choreography dramatizing the death of García Lorca, was nominated for National Endowment for the Arts dance award.  Alborada's embrace of all Spanish dance art forms enables its audience to experience the breathtaking richness and beauty of the culture in full context. Over the past twelve years, the Company has performed in many venues in the Tri-State area, including New York Symphony Space, SUNY Rockland Community College, Rutgers University, Monmouth University's Pollak Theatre, Crossroads Theatre, New Brunswick; Forum Theatre, Metuchen; Ocean County College Fine Arts Center, "The Theater" of Raritan Valley Community College, Drew University, Morristown Community Theater, Middlesex County College, Jersey City State College and Twelve Miles West Theater in Montclair NJ, as well as in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington DC, Miami, and San Francisco.	María Alba & Eva Lucena Current Activities Given that the Hispanic population in the Tri-State area is estimated at over 27% of the total population, Alborada is committed to share with the community the rich diversity of Spanish cultural heritage through art and education.  We are part of Middlesex County's Arts Education Program.  Every year, the Company brings Spanish dance to many of the schools, senior centers, and community libraries in New Jersey and New York, with master classes and lecture demos. Currently the Company gives about 25 school performances a year, 5-10 Library shows, summer festivals, and 5-8 major theatre productions.  They also have an outreach program bringing joy to disadvantaged kids and senior citizens.
Lisa Botalico
In the past four years, Alborada has been showcased by NJN TV in its program Images/Imagenes many times.  In 2002 Eva co-hosted a special program showing the influence of Spanish costumes on the Hispanic world and 50's/60's American fashion - especially the "polka dots" of the gypsies.  This year in May 2004, NJN filmed our OLÉ show at Kean University and made a 1/2 hour program entitled "A History of Flamenco" still being shown on Images/Imagenes.  The Company is currently collaborating with NJN on a documentary project.  Alborada has also been the guest artists of the Hispanic Youth Showcase at NJ Performance Arts Center and Eva Lucena is in her 5th year as a judge. The Company receives grants from the state through Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and just recently a music grant from the American Music Center, NY and has been incorporated in New Jersey as of September 1995.  We are also a member of Dance New Jersey, an association of leading dance companies to promote dance arts in the Garden State.