Backhausdance

Backhausdance, formed in 2003 by Jennifer Backhaus, is a powerful and entertaining voice in the dance world. The company’s repertory offers an eclectic and dynamic vocabulary with a wonderful sense of fluidity and strength.

Featuring a diverse body of work that is innovative and artistic, Backhausdance has received 15 nominations and 10 Lester Horton Awards from the Dance Resource Center of Los Angeles for achievements in choreography, design and performance, helping propel them to the forefront of Southern California contemporary dance. The repertory includes powerful, athletic dances; emotionally charged dramatic pieces; and whimsical, humorous glimpses at the human experience. The company also offers concert pieces with a focus on younger audiences that incorporates a master class workshop component.

Orange County’s critically acclaimed contemporary dance company has performed extensively nationwide as well as internationally in venues such as the 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 been presented by the Carpenter Performing Arts Center and Irvine Barclay Theatre, 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.

As a member of the Arts Teach artist roster and part of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts Education and Community Programs, Backhausdance serves thousands of public and private school children throughout Orange and San Bernardino Counties each year. The company is also part of the Lincoln Center Aesthetic Education Program through McCallum Theatre Institute.

A life-changing experience for pre-professional and professional dancers, the company hosts an annual Summer Intensives at Chapman University. Backhausdance is dedicated to making this powerful program accessible to the dance community and provides scholarships for nearly half of the more than 100 participants.