Backhaus Dance   

Backhausdance, founded in 2003 as a non-profit organization by award-winning choreographer and Chapman University dance faculty member, Jennifer Backhaus, is Orange County's premiere, professional, contemporary dance company. The company’s repertory offers a body of original and innovative work for diverse audiences across a wide spectrum of ages and demographics, performing and teaching an eclectic and dynamic vocabulary with a wonderful sense of fluidity and strength, including powerful, athletic dances; emotionally charged dramatic pieces; and whimsical, humorous glimpses at the human experience. The company's long-term community partners include Segerstrom Center for the Arts (ArtsTeach program), City of Santa Ana Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency, Orange County Department of Education, Chapman University. and The McCallum Theater Education Department in Palm Desert. Backhausdance celebrates and promotes the belief that we are all inherently creative, and that dance elevates the human spirit as a multisensory and physical art experience. Annually, Backhausdance presents professional performances with original choreography and the work of guest choreographers at theaters and various venues throughout Southern California and beyond. Equally important to the company's mission is its extensive education and community programs reaching over 8,000 students, teachers, pre-and professional dancers, families, and adults and seniors each year. Through a variety of different formats including assemblies, workshops, residencies, master classes, summer intensive program for pre-professional and advanced dancers, lecture-demonstrations, and site-specific work, our engaging and diverse education programs focus on social-emotional learning concepts. 21st century readiness and California Department of Education common-core standards, choreographic principles and team-building skills which expand imagination, communication abilities, and build confidence through a contemporary modern dance vocabulary for all ages. The company is committed to advancing career pathways through its apprenticeship and ambassador program, jump-starting careers for pre-professional and professional contemporary dancers. The annual Summer Intensive training program held at Chapman University serves 150 students with scholarships provided for half of the participants. Backhausdance is the recipient of 10 Lester Horton Awards from Dance Resource Center of Los Angeles for achievements in choreography, design and performance, helping propel them to the forefront of Southern California contemporary dance. Grounded in an eclectic and dynamic vocabulary with a wonderful sense of fluidity and strength, the company’s repertory includes powerful, athletic dances; emotionally charged dramatic pieces; and whimsical, humorous glimpses at the human experience. Backhausdance also offers concert pieces with a focus on younger audiences that incorporates a master class workshop component. The company has performed extensively nationwide as well as internationally in venues such as Teatro Verdi in Pisa, Italy; Teatr Collegium Nobilium in Warsaw, Poland; Schimmel Center at Pace University, New York; Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre, British Columbia; Pinedale Performing Arts Center, Wyoming; and Joyce SoHo, New York. Locally, the company has enjoyed invitations to Irvine Barclay Theatre's dance@theBarclay series; been presented by the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, and appeared on the Studio Series at South Coast Repertory, Fall for Dance at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Laguna Dance Festival, Celebrate Dance at the Alex Theatre, and the Los Angeles Arts Holiday Celebration at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. As artist-in-residence, Backhausdance has worked with Brigham Young University, Chapman University, Moorpark College, and Santa Ana College, and as guest artist for the California Dance Educators Association. .