For over 23 years, Spectrum Dance Theater has been captivating audiences with its bold choreography and exceptional dancers.

When Donald Byrd came aboard as Artistic Director in 2002 things got even more interesting. Mr. Byrd is a world-renowned choreographer and an Artist in the truest sense of the word.

His work has been described as "edgy" and "volatile" and since 1976 his work has been presented on stage at The New York Shakespeare Festival, New York City Opera, San Francisco Opera and Center Stage in Baltimore.

His move from New York City to Seattle's Spectrum Dance Theater took many in the dance world by surprise, but as Byrd himself describes it, "When I met Spectrum I fell in love with their sense of idealism, I got excited about the arts again and what dance might do."

CW11's Underground caught up with Byrd and his dancers as they were rehearsing for their recent dance performance entitled "Interrupted Narratives / War". Byrd gave each of his dancers an assignment to choose and learn about an American soldier that has died in Iraq.

The result of this research, in combination with Byrd's lyrical and often physically demanding choreography, is a work which forces the audience to consider the true cost of war.

Through access granted by Byrd and Spectrum Dance's Executive Director Anne Derieux, Underground takes you behind-the-scenes both literally and intellectually as Byrd and his dancers struggle to create a powerful artistic expression of a deeply emotional subject.

The results are extraordinary.