Jacksonville Dance Theatre (JDT) has announced its 15th anniversary season, marking 15 years of bold creation, risk-taking and artistic growth under the direction of Co-Founder and Artistic Director Rebecca R. Levy.
Since its founding in 2012, Jacksonville Dance Theatre has established itself as a leading contemporary dance organization in Northeast Florida, known for athletic and theatrical performances, innovative collaborations and a commitment to expanding the possibilities of dance. Season 15 honors that history while looking decisively toward the future with a dynamic lineup of performances that explores immersive environments, interdisciplinary collaboration, physical intensity and the evolving language of contemporary dance.
“Fifteen years ago, Jacksonville Dance Theatre began with a vision to create bold, innovative contemporary dance and meaningful connections through the arts,” said Levy. “This season is a celebration of how far we have come, but it is also a reflection of where we are going. We are continuing to take risks, collaborate across disciplines and create work that invites audiences into experiences that are visually striking, physically demanding and deeply human.”
The season will open with “15 for 15,” a special anniversary celebration and fundraiser on Sept. 19, hosted in Ponte Vedra. The event will bring together artists, supporters, board members, alumni and community leaders for an evening of pop-up performances, aerial artistry, music, dancing, drinks and hors d’oeuvres. The celebration will launch a campaign to raise $15,000 in honor of JDT’s 15th season.
On Oct. 25, “Circo del Pantano” returns for a second season at the Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts following its acclaimed sold-out debut. Conceived and directed by Levy, the contemporary dance circus combines modern dance, aerial performance, theatrical spectacle and physical storytelling in a fantastical journey inspired by the wild landscapes and wildlife of Northeast Florida. The returning production will feature new choreography, expanded aerial elements and a fresh cast of performers, including Los Angeles-based aerialist and dancer Jenn Logan, returning in her signature role as the Hurricane.
In December, JDT will collaborate with visual artist Mico Fuentes for “Rendered Alive,” an immersive interdisciplinary experience presented Dec. 5 at Jax Beach Aerial Arts. Bringing together dance, aerial performance and large-scale visual art, the work will blur the boundaries between performance and installation, inviting audiences into a living environment that unfolds through movement, suspended motion, evolving visual landscapes and shared community experience.
The season will culminate in March 2027 with “TRIBES: A Dance in Light and Shadow,” presented March 11 and 12 at Jacksonville University’s Swisher Theater. Choreographed by Levy, the evening-length work is inspired by the life and legacy of artist Marc Chagall, particularly his series of stained-glass windows representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Through contemporary dance and visual storytelling, the work explores artistic expression under persecution, antisemitism, exile, identity, remembrance and the enduring role of the artist in the face of cultural suppression.
The season’s major works reflect Jacksonville Dance Theatre’s continued investment in interdisciplinary performance and its ongoing exploration of what contemporary dance can become. Season 15 will also include additional local and touring performances, educational initiatives and community engagement programs throughout the year.
“Season 15 brings together the artists, collaborators and ideas that have shaped JDT while opening the door to new possibilities,” said Levy. “We invite audiences to celebrate this milestone with us and to step into what comes next.”
Additional performance details, ticket information and Season 15 programming will be announced throughout the season.
For more information about Jacksonville Dance Theatre, go to jacksonvilledancetheatre.org.