After a year of creating, practicing and learning four new modern dance pieces commissioned just for the repertory, the Pennsylvania Dance Theatre is ready to bring its new production public.

Tonight and tomorrow, with the aid of a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the company will hold its 15th anniversary performance at 8 p.m. in Eisenhower Auditorium.

A variety of modern dance styles will be demonstrated through the works of five choreographers. The themes range from exploration of childhood wonders to Noel Coward's haunting Blithe Spirit.

It was with the help of an NEA grant that the company's project for this performance became a reality. In 1992, the company submitted a "time consuming" application to the NEA, detailing its idea to bring in guest choreographers to create original works and revamp some exisiting pieces in the repertoire.

About a year later, the company was told that its request was accepted, and the group was awarded $10,000 to carry out its project, said Ann Van Kuren, artistic director for the Pennsylvania Dance Theatre.

The grant allowed the company to commission three works solely for its repetory. The pieces were designed by famed New York City-based choreographers Bebe Miller, David Dorfman, Dan Shapiro and Joan Smith, each of whom completed a residency at State College. The fourth number was choreographed by Van Kuren.

"We looked for choreographers who are cutting edge, who are new and trying new things," Van Kuren said, adding that the integrity and composition of their past work was also an important factor.

Van Kuren wanted choreographers who would present challenging works to the dancers that differ in style from the current pieces in the repertoire.

"I think the dancers grow whenever they work with a new choreographer," she said. "They discover new ways of moving and new challenges."

Company dancer Kathleen Hurley said the experience was an excellent learning tool.

"It's been really exciting," Hurley said. "I really benefitted a lot from David Dorfman. He worked with each person individually to bring out the best in them." She added that she gained insight about her body and its movement from working with Miller.

The premiere tonight is one of the major events of the company's season. It is an opportunity for the community, students and faculty to see the new works, Van Kuren said.

Performing is just one way the company tries to educate the community about dance. As a professional dance group that got its start 15 years ago as a dance school founded by a University faculty member, LaRue Allen, the repertory is a resource into dance for the community, Van Kuren said.

Although the school evolved into a professional performing company, it still has not lost touch with its roots. Company dancers instruct at the Central Pennsylvania Dance Workshop. They also offer classes in a variety of styles to any age or experience level.

Many people do not know much about modern dance because they are not often exposed to it, Hurley said.

"If students come to the performance, they'll get to see what it is," she said. "It would be a pretty educational thing for the students."

The show is designed to cater to both those new to dance as well as long-time patrons.

"It provides newcomers a broad scope of what modern dance is," Van Kuren said. "For the dance fans, the concert is very exciting. It offers new insights and very enjoyable works as well. I think that it will open people's minds up to what modern dance and contemporary dance really is."

Tickets cost $20. Half-price student-rush tickets will be available a half an hour before the show.