There’s plenty of dance to see in DFW during the first half of 2012 representing national, international and local performers. Considering the current economic downturn, it is interesting to observe the production decisions some of our local dance companies have made in an attempt to emerge unscathed: fewer performances, smaller, less expensive venues, etc. As we have noted before, performances and new works do stimulate the local economy by providing a career for dancers, musicians and others involved in production. However, the highest value is in how people are touched by dance, providing them with an authentic and memorable experience that stays with them for decades. Here are five performances that shouldn’t be missed.

1. January 20-21, TITAS presents American Ballet Theatre at the Winspear: This legendary ballet company known for hiring the best dancers in the world, has a vast repertoire of classical full-length ballets and plotless contemporary works created by master choreographers like Tudor, Ashton, Balanchine, Forsyth, Wheeldon, Tharp, Naharin and many others. With such a large repertoire to draw from, whatever mixed bill ABT brings to the Winspear stage will be masterworks worth seeing. Prepare for an evening technically pure and artistically superb ballet.

2. June (TBD), Bruce Wood Dance Project: Local choreographer Bruce Wood began his project last summer as a “pick-up” company employing local talent on short contracts for only the length of each project. The first project last summer was very successful. Several of the works created for that project were repeated throughout the year and some new works were created as well. Wood’s choreography is socially conscious and emotionally gripping.

3. April 20-22 & 27-29, Texas Ballet Theater, “Portraits Ballet Festival” at the Wyly: Artistic Director Ben Stevenson knows how to put together an evening long mixed-rep. This particular performance will include Balanchine’s “Apollo,” a world premiere by company member Carl Croomer, and several works by Mr. Stevenson. Usually TBT perform at the enormous Winspear Opera House during their Dallas seasons, let’s see how the much smaller Wyly theater works for this Texas sized ballet company.

4. March 9, TITAS presents “Les Fête Du Ballet” Command Performance at the Winspear: Every year dance fans around Dallas/Fort Worth wait anxiously for the TITAS Command Performance. This performance is a showcase of all the biggest names in ballet to date. Expect to be dazzled with unbelievable tricks of the trade, multiple turns, superhuman flexibility and gravity defying bodies flying accross the stage.

5. May 17-20 Dallas Black Dance Theater, “Spring Celebration” at the Wyly: With every season Dallas Black Dance Theater manages to raise the bar they set the previos season. The company of dancers they hired this season are technically strong, beautifully sculpted and aesthetically diverse, perhaps due in part to the addition of Ballet Master Mel Thomilson to the artistic staff. This company is never hit-or-miss, they are consistently good and forever improving.