Jeanne Ruddy Dance (JRD) was a Company of highly trained professional dancers that provided audiences with world-class performances of works by Jeanne Ruddy and leading contemporary choreographers. JRD was committed to supporting the professional dance community by providing access to its home, the Performance Garage, to support rehearsal and performance needs, and provides professional training of the highest quality. Through its education, training and performance programs, JRD reached out to the general community to help them enrich their lives through dance.
Jeanne Ruddy Dance was a twelve-year old, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit dance company based in the aesthetics of contemporary dance.
Company: History
In August of 1998, Jeanne Ruddy received a grant from the Pew Charitable Trust Foundation for a project called Dans Project 4 Philadelphia (later renamed Jeanne Ruddy Dance). New York-based choreographer Igal Perry was engaged to set a new work, Voices and Echoes, on Ms. Ruddy and three other Philadelphia dancers.
In 2006, its sixth season as Philadelphia’s contemporary dance company, Jeanne Ruddy Dance took an enormous leap forward with its new home and studio, THE PERFORMANCE GARAGE at 1515 Brandywine Street. As the city’s first "studio theatre" dedicated exclusively to modern dance, this innovative dance center serves not only as a showcase for both emerging and established artists and choreographers, but as a critical springboard for the growth and vitality of smaller dance companies and artists throughout the community.
Images, videos, and information for JRD's repertory may be seen in our repertory section. More information on JRD’s various seasons and season benefits may be seen in the in our Season Archives.
Twelfth Season: May 10–12, 2012
- The twelfth and final season of Jeanne Ruddy Dance took place at Suzanne Roberts Theater. The program consisted of three works choreographed by Jeanne Ruddy: MonTage à Trois (2011), Out of the Mist, Above the Real (2004) and a new piece, Game Drive (2012).
more info...Eleventh Season: April 14–17, 2011
- JRD’s eleventh season took place in the prestigious Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and partnered with one of Philadelphia’s most prominent painters, Elizabeth Osborne. The partnership was partially supported by and was a part of the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts which celebrated the theme, Paris 1910-1920. Jeanne Ruddy choreographed a new work, MonTage à Trois which was comprised of twenty-two musical selections by Claude Debussy, Erik Satie and Igor Stravinsky paired with sixteen paintings and seven dancers.
more info...Tenth Season: April 8–11, 2010
- The Tenth Anniversary of Jeanne Ruddy Dance celebrated a Decade of Dance with a retrospective of works by Artistic Director and choreographer Jeanne Ruddy. These pieces, Significant Soil (2000), Breathless (2005), and LARK (2009), showcased the depth and range of the Company over the past ten years.
more info...Ninth Season: April 15–19, 23–26, 2009
- Our ninth season took place at the Performance Garage, and featured two World Premieres: Sandman by guest artist Martha Clarke, and LARK by Jeanne Ruddy.
more info...Eighth Season: April 10–13, 17–19, 2008
- Our eighth season showed two works: A World Premiere, Quasi Normal by the German choreographer, Susanne Linke, and a re imaged premiere of Breathless by Jeanne Ruddy. The season took place in the Performance Garage.
more info...Seventh Season: April 12–14, 19–21
- The seventh season was performed at The Performance Garage with 2 World Premiers. Works were:
-Songs without Words (2004) choreography: Ann Reinking
-Short Term Memory (2007) choreography: the JRD dancers with Jane Comfort and Olase Freeman
-Oceans 1: Wetlands (2007) choreography: Jeanne Ruddy
more info...
Sixth Season: April 18–22, 2006
- JRD’s sixth season as Philadelphia’s contemporary dance company, took place in its new home and studio, THE PERFORMANCE GARAGE with 2 World Premiers.
-The System (2002) choreography: Jeanne Ruddy and Peter Sparling
-Still (2006) choreography: Robert Battle
-Enfold (2001) choreography: Zvi Gotheiner
-Woa Cholena (2006) choreography: Jeanne Ruddy
more info...Fifth Season: June 16–18, 2005
- JRD’s Fifth Concert Season, held at The Mandell Theater, with the world premiere of Breathless, choreographed by Jeanne Ruddy as well as two of her other pieces and guest artist, Brigitta Herrmann.
-Breathless (2005) choreography: Jeanne Ruddy
-Out of the Mist, Above the Real (2004) choreography: Jeanne Ruddy
-Suite Reel (2003) choreography: Jeanne Ruddy
more info...Fourth Season: June 17–19, 2004
- The Company presented its Fourth Concert Season at The Mandell Theater in Philadelphia, with new works by Jeanne Ruddy and guest choreographers, Peter Sparling and Tony Award winner, Ann Reinking. Guest artists were Zane Brooker, Brigitta Herrmann and composer Daniel Brewbaker.
Works performed were:
-Patient Spider (2003) choreography: Peter Sparling
-Falling In… (2004) choreography: Jeanne Ruddy
-Out of the Mist, Above the Real (2004) choreography: Jeanne Ruddy
-Songs Without Words (2004) choreography: Ann Reinking
more info...Third Season: February 12–15, 2003
- Jeanne Ruddy Dance held its third season at The Wilma Theater, with guest artists, Peter Sparling, Amanda Miller and artist Terry Rosenberg.
Works performed were:
-Voices and Echoes: (1999) choreography: Igal Perry
-Significant Soil (2000,2003) choreography: Jeanne Ruddy
-The System (2002) choreography: Janet Lilly and Peter Sparling
-Suite Reel (2001) choreography: Jeanne Ruddy
-Enfold choreographer: Zvi Gotheiner
more info...Second Season: November 7–10, 2001
- JRD held its second concert season at The Painted Bride in Philadelphia. Works performed were:
-Enfold (2001) choreography:Zvi Gotheiner
-Suite Reel… Five (2001) choreography: Jeanne Ruddy
-No Fear of Flying—Second Leg (2001) choreography: Mark Dendy
-Marie’s Diary (1986) choreography: Jeanne Ruddy
-Four Screaming Women (1982) guest choreographer: Jane Comfort
more info...First Season: June 21–25, 2000
- Jeanne Ruddy Dance had its first season at The Wilma Theatre on the Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia with guest artists Terese Capucilli, Donlin Foreman and Leslie Carothers. Works performed were:
-From Pent-Up, Aching Rivers (1998) choreography: Donlin Foreman
-Significant Soil (2000) choreography: Jeanne Ruddy
-Voices and Echoes (1999) choreogrphy: Igal Perry
-No Fear of Flying—First Leg (2000) choreography: Mark Dendy
more info...