Earlier this week the Pennsylvania Dance Theatre performed a benefit for the AIDS Project of State College.

About 50 people dined at the Allen Room on College Ave. and then attended the PDT performance next door at Gatsby's, said Debra Tilkin, the company's booking and tour manager.

Members of the company consider AIDS education a good cause and performed for free, she said.

"It is a pleasure for us to perform the AIDS benefit," she said.

Profits will be used for education, support services and resource development, said project director Diana Shepley. The program is targeted for people who are concerned, have questions, or just want to know how to protect themselves, she added.

"This infection is in Happy Valley," Shepley said. " We are all at risk."

The six members of the company performed Kemo Sabe, a piece that has been in their repertory for six years, company director LaRue Allen said.

The piece incorporates modern dance into a Western theme, Allen said. Kemo Sabe is unique in that it is the only piece the company performs without musical accompaniment, Allen added. Rhythmic beats -- snaps, claps, stomps and taps -- made by the dancers accompany the dance.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Pennsylvania Dance Theatre, 101 S. Fraser Street. During the day, company members rehearse routines. At night, they teach classes at the Central Pennsylvania Dance Workshop, which is housed in the same building. Ballet, modern dance, tap, jazz and children's classes are offered at the workshop.

The Pennsylvania Dance Theatre is a professional modern dance company that performs 30-40 times a year, Allen said.

The company tours throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and New York, frequently doing residencies within school systems, Tilkin said. She added that the company recently completed a residency at Thiel College.

In addition to traveling, the company also invites three guest choreographers to State College each year, she said.

The next local performance by the Pennsylvania Dance Theatre will be at the Playhouse on April 28.