Company: History

Jeanne Ruddy Dance is a ten-year old, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit dance company based in the aesthetics of contemporary dance.

In August of 1998, Jeanne Ruddy received a grant from the Pew Charitable Trust Foundation for a project called Dans Project 4 Philadelphia (now 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. Information on JRD's various seasons and season benefits may be seen in the in our season archives.

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.

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

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.

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

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: Janet Lilly and Peter Sparling
• Still (2006) choreography: Robert Battle
• Enfold (2001) choreography: Zvi Gotheiner
• Woa Cholena (2006) choreography: Jeanne Ruddy

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 Herrman.
• Breathless (2005) choreography: Jeanne Ruddy
• Out of the Mist, Above the Real (2004) choreography: Jeanne Ruddy
• Suite Reel (2003) choreography: Jeanne Ruddy

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 Herrman and composer Daniel Brewbaker.
• 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

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.
• 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

Second Season: November 7–10, 2001

JRD held its second concert season at The Painted Bride in Philadelphia .
• 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

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.
• 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