The Experience
Sophisticated as an iced and extremely dry martini, Jeanne Ruddy Dance Company (JRDC) offers traditional modern dance appealing to audiences who like their dance stirred, not shaken. Ruddy’s new venue, located in the city’s newly designated historic area, Spring Garden, in a renovated carriage house, promises to become a magnet for the arts in this neighborhood.
A 13,000-square-foot “studio theater” dedicated to modern dance, it serves both as home to the JRDC and as a starting point for smaller, emerging and less advantaged companies. It will eventually house dance classes, rehearsal space and an intimate performance theater.
Dancer/choreographer Ruddy was a principal dancer with the Martha Graham Company for nine years. She also danced on Broadway. Her choreography, as well as that of her guest choreographers, is based in Graham’s dramatically literal and deep knee-bending technique, but borrows from more current dance trends as well.
History
After moving to Philadelphia, Jeanne Ruddy began her company of mature dancers in 1998 and held her premiere season in 2000 at the Wilma Theater. Within her first three years, she raised more than a million dollars toward the completion of the building renovation.