In an attempt not to miss the forest for the trees, Repertory Dance Theatre employs multiyear thematic visions to create a platform from which to launch its individual dance programs. Currently, that vision takes aim at the “green movement”—and it helps explain its 2009-2010 season-opener, Elements.

Focusing on issues that our ever-expanding global population has been forced to confront, RDT explores the critical significance of nurturing, sustaining, protecting and wisely using our planet. RDT’s four varied pieces “define our planet’s fundamental essences, the four essential Elements, to motivate our desire for clean energy, clean air, clean water and a clean and healthy Earth.”

Combining old pieces with new, the evening includes Paul Sanasardo’s Earth, originally created for RDT in 1969; Rainwood, by Ze’eva Cohen set to the sounds of birds, frogs and insects; Mary Frances Lloyd’s playful piece about water, The Lady of the Lake; and Eric Handman’s use of over 120 pounds of rice in Ghost Ship, which explores the haunting traces of collective memory.

As in years past, RDT also will use the occasion to bring the community together, promoting this project with the development of Salt Lake City’s own Green Map System (GreenMap.org), in hopes that “a scientific, historic, cultural and aesthetic inventory will be the springboard for choreography, movement explorations, visual arts, music, essays, poetry, performances and celebrations.”

Repertory Dance Theatre: Elements @ Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. 300 So., 801-355-ARTS, October 1-3, 8 p.m. ArtTix.org