RAPID CITY - A modern, hip-hop version of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" will be part of Dakota Dance Company's production, "Tripudio," this weekend.

Choreographed by Mary Ann Hodnett, "Romeo and Juliet" features talented young dancers from various studios in the Black Hills area.

Hodnett and artistic director Paul A. Burns II conceived the idea for Dakota Dance Company in February. Barely six months later, the season will culminate with "Tripudio," a three-day engagement this weekend at Dahl Arts Center.

The program will showcase the young dancers' skill as well as the unique choreography of three regional artists. "It's not your ordinary dance concert," Burns said.

Burns' vision for a dance company in the Hills is one that is open to all forms of dance and movement. He sees this production as only the beginning.

The "Tripudio" performance begins with a modern ballet choreographed by Burns and performed to eclectic, jam-band rock music.

The second is "A Study in Modern Dance" by Andrea Muehl of Hills Community Dance Center, who recently returned home after professional performances in New Mexico and Germany.

And third will be Hodnett's hip-hop number, taking the familiar tale of star-crossed lovers to a new level. The dance will not feature dialogue, but that won't limit its storytelling.

"It's all dance, but there is tremendous acting," Burns said. "One of the things I've done as an actor is use my dance skills to convey emotion. Dance and movement is where that starts - it starts in the body."

Burns, a graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts and a scholarship student from the Joffrey Ballet School, has performed with various dance companies, including a two-year stint with the New York Theatre Ballet.

"Coming from the professional dance world, I wanted to provide anyone who wanted with an experience similar to the professional experience," he said.

Dakota Dance Company provides an opportunity for young dancers to meet with area choreographers in a creative process to prepare them for a potential career.

The 14 dancers in the production underwent a two-audition process before being selected.

The experience is admittedly not as rigorous as being involved with a professional company, but Dakota Dance Company is a learning experience for participants - even for Burns, who confessed that he started the project for purely selfish reasons.

"I'm looking at graduate schools, and I'm looking to improve my skills as a choreographer," he said. "But very quickly, I realized that there was a need in town for this kind of opportunity."

"After talking with Mary Ann (Hodnett of Pure Form Dance) … I realized right away that my needs were subordinate to the bigger picture," he said.

Because the performers were involved in local summer dance programs, Burns had what he called "very pleasant and very inspirational negotiations" with local dance studios to work out a schedule that allowed dancers to do both.

The intention now is to continue Dakota Dance Company and present another show next summer.

"This is something I hope will grow beyond me," Burns said.

Burns said the program is a family-friendly performance; it's really for anyone interested in seeing something new in the Black Hills and supporting the growth of a new organization to improve the cultural offerings of Rapid City.

"I would welcome people off the street, just visiting or walking down Art Alley - it's just a couple blocks to the Dahl," he said.

Not just for dance aficionados, the performance is meant to appeal to everyone, "from punk rockers to old people," Burns said.

Seating is limited, so he recommends attendees buy tickets early.

The rapid pace with which the production came together is a testament to the hard work of everyone involved - the families who paid for gas, people who donated money, and especially Dahl Arts Center.

"The Dahl was marvelous walking me through what it means to be an artistic director," Burns said.

The Dakota Dance Company production was also made possible by a Pailing Grant and a grant from PrairieWave Communications through the Allied Arts Fund.

"It's just been amazing the kind of support I've received from all over - my church, individuals," he said. "The whole experience has been remarkable."

If you go

What: "Tripudio" by Dakota Dance Company

When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 24 and 25, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26

Where: Dahl Arts Center, 713 Seventh St., Rapid City

Tickets: $15 each, or $20 for two; call 394-4101