Riskallah Riyad was honored to host the legendary,
Mahmoud Reda, pioneer of Middle Eastern dance theater in Egypt, founder of the first folk dance company, the Reda Troupe,
and star of film and television, here in Danbury, CT three times (2007, 2010, 2011). He is widely recognized throughout
the world for his complex, yet simple and clean choreographies and theatrical presentations of Middle Eastern
dance.
As a soloist, choreographer
and director in the 1950s and '60s, he redefined Middle Eastern dance through combining disciplined ballet-based training
with theater presentation and brought Egypt's rich dance heritage to the concert stage, elevating the status of professional
theater dancers in Egypt.
With his Reda Troupe he traveled all over the world performing in the most prestigious
venues, including Carnegie Hall, NYC. Kings, queens and heads of states number among his distinguished audience. The late,
Mahmoud Red toured the world teaching dance workshops. His teaching style like his choreography was clear and precise.
