Joppa Dance Company RISE

RISE will feature new choreography by directors Fontaine Dubus, Jen Steeves, Cheryl Fisher, and Pam Smith, in addition to student works. Three of the pieces included in this performance recently premiered at Lincoln Center in New York City:

• I Ran by Jen Steeves, on the theme of exclusion and the struggle to be grounded in community;
• Black Cat by Jen Steeves, a playful look at the embodiment of cat-like attributes; and
• Pomegranate by Fontaine Dubus, a reflection on feminine themes ranging from the role of Eve as temptress and scapegoat, to the victims and heroines of Shakespeare.

Joppa Dance Company, originally established in 1982 as an adult jazz company, eventually became a youth dance troupe. Joppa, based at The Dance Place in Newburyport, offers consistent performance opportunities for serious dancers who wish to continue dancing at university and beyond.

Joppa's 48 members attend a company class each week, which mixes technique training and choreography, plus a required ballet class. Many also study additional techniques including modern, tap and hip-hop.

Joppa performed in Barcelona, Spain this past summer with Performing Arts Educators, a non-profit group which books dance performances all over the world and the states. They were so inspired, the dancers ran their pieces in the middle of an airport during a long layover!

Photo credit Terry Wyatt. In the photo is of Joppa Teen performing "Pomegranate" at Lincoln Center in January Elisa Kennedy is the solo dancer in the forefront. The rest of Joppa Teen are: Allegra Dubus-Brandolini, Grace Ellsworth, Nell Franchek, Abby Grinnings, Joy Holder, Olivia Katavolos, Ashlyn Lasson, Kathy Reddy, Lily Riley, Mallory Robertson, Niamh Rollins , and Lili Teacher.