Jeanne Ruddy Dance
Jeanne Ruddy dance was founded in 1998 with a mission
to choreograph and perform works that celebrate and communicate the joy
of dancing by bringing together dedicated, accomplished dancers with diverse
talent and experienced technical capacity. The founder, Jeanne Ruddy,
is steeped in the modern dance tradition of Martha Graham with whose company
she was a Principal Dancer for nine years. She is a highly respected teacher
of the Graham technique, a choreographer in her own right, and an experienced
Broadway performer.
A Pew Charitable Trust Dance Advance grant served as the springboard
for the Company to embark on setting work for the premiere season in June
2000. The season included work by contemporary popular New York choreographers
Igal Perry and Mark Dendy, as well as new work by Jeanne Ruddy. Four local
mature dancers made up the Company and New York guest artists were also
on the program. The season was well attended and received. The Company's
second season included new work by Jeanne Ruddy and again, choreography
of contemporary New York choreographers, Jane Comfort and Zvi Gotheiner.
The Company also performed at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival and the
Wilma Theater's Dance Boom! Series, in 2001 and 2002. From February 12-15,
2003, the Company will present their third season at the Wilma Theater
featuring four original works and two world premieres with guest artist
Peter Sparling of The Martha Graham Company and once again New York choreographer
Igal Perry. Jeanne Ruddy Dance has now grown to 11 dancers.
In addition to the artistic mission, the Company is committed to the
growing demand of the local dance community for additional space to rehearse
and perform, as well as provide outreach to the community at large. To
this end, the Performance Garage at 1515 Brandywine St., home of Jeanne
Ruddy Dance, will be developed as a facility to offer educational programs
in collaboration with community organizations, master classes in modern
and ballet technique, as well as rehearsal studios for the Company. Longer-range
plans include developing a 100-seat theater for use by the Company and
other artistic organizations in Philadelphia.
With this brief life, the Company has already made an impact on the modern
dance scene in Philadelphia and with continued generous individuals and
foundation support, plans to continue to do so with regular performances
and the development of the Performance Garage. In 2000, Robert Ackerman
of the Philadelphia City Paper said, “Jeanne Ruddy Dance
promises to be a fixture on the Philadelphia dance scene.” His words
ring true as the Company enters their third season.
For more information on Jeanne Ruddy Dance, please call 215-236-9030
or visit www.ruddydance.org |
