On a blustery Wednesday afternoon, dancers of the Pennsylvania Dance Theatre worked up a sweat while they concentrated on perfecting their movements.

Glancing at her notebook, artistic director LaRue Allen comments to specific dancers about a previous rehearsal. Jumping up from her folding chair against a mirrored wall, Allen demonstrates the movement by swiftly leaping into a dancer's arms as he spins her around.

The result of this rehearsal, The PDT Gala Performance, will take place at 8 p.m. in Eisenhower Auditorium.

Four works will be performed by the State College-based company. In the first, titled "Tchoupitoulas," three male dancers will exhibit their athletic ability in New York choreographer Steven Koester's work. Allen described the piece, which includes several sight gags, as witty.

"It is a very athletic piece because you depend on each other," dancer Mark Comly said.

"It has a carnival sound," dancer An Vankuren added.

The title of the piece has many meanings. "Tchoupitoulas" is the name of a New Orleans street, an Indian tribe and a New Orleans marching band, Comly said. The lively music for this piece was recorded by the Eureka Brass Band in the 1950s.

For "Tchoupitoulas," dancers will dress in brightly colored shirts, overalls and high tops, Allen said.

"To Have and to Hold" centers on dancers performing such movements as tumbles and rolls under and around three seven-foot benches. For this piece, composer Scott Killian worked with New York choreographers Daniel Shapiro and Joanie Smith.

Allen said the piece looks at the interaction between human beings and how they depend on one another but ultimately must learn self-reliance.

The dancers must draw on their athletic ability, Allen said. All of the company dancers and one apprentice will perform in this work, she said.

"Landlier," set to Johann Strauss's waltz, "Tales from Vienna Woods," concentrates on people meeting in a ballroom. A soloist is responsible for bringing magic to the couples, Allen said.

Allen said the piece is challenging because it is filled with tremendous motion and activity.

During rehearsal, two of the female dancers worked on handstands and various other movements. At the end of rehearsal, Allen tried to evoke the proper emotion for "Landlier" by recalling the waltz's history. The dancers laughed when they heard the waltz was considered by some to be a risque dance because couples held tightly onto one another.

For this piece, female dancers will dress in long, flowing gowns, and male dancers will wear tight jackets and pants.

In the piece "Legal Tender," by New York choreographer Beth Corning, female dancers will dress in wedding gowns and hold silver bouquets. The piece consists of several runs and leaps and is set to music by such musical artists as composer Richard Wagner and singer Elvis Presley.

Dancer Alicia Durand said dancing in full bridal regalia took a while to get used to.

"You have to do the movement full out or you are going to kill yourself," Durand said, laughing.

Allen said the piece, which was popular in the 1989-1990 dance season, is both funny and serious. The piece is Corning's look at premarital trepidation, she said.

"Tchoupitoulas" and "To Have and To Hold" were supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

Tickets for the Gala are $25, which includes a champagne reception, and tickets for general admission are $10. Tickets may be purchased prior to the performance or at the door the evening of the performance. For more information contact PDT at 237-2188.