Backhaus Dance

Our mission is to create, perform, and share innovative, bold dance that inspires, challenges, and uplifts. We believe in the transformative power of dance, which fosters joy, wellness, creative expression, and human connection. Through a dynamic integration of professional performance, multi-generational education, and community engagement, we cultivate a collaborative environment where everyone—whether participating or viewing—is an integral part of the creative process.

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.
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Backhausdance: Season 24/25 Impact Summary
Moving. Transforming. Connecting.
Backhausdance thrives because of your belief in what dance can do!

Artistic & Performance Highlights
- Created and premiered 5 repertory works: The Margin, Hive, Disordered Imagination, Moon Party (Lunar Soirée), and In Bloom
- Performed for 1,500+ audience members across Orange County, Long Beach, Temecula, Palm Desert, and Lake Tahoe
- Presented work in traditional theaters, gardens, schools, and community spaces

Education & Community Engagement
- Reached 7,000+ students through assemblies, in-school residencies, and after-school programs at 20+ schools
- Empowered youth through Let’s Dance, Dance Expressions, and the Backhausdance Annual Summer Intensive (BDSI)
- Awarded 75+ scholarships for aspiring dancers to BDSI 2025 through the B. Mor Summer Intensive Scholarship Fund

Organizational Growth
- Supported 14 professional dancers, an expanded team of 12+ Education teaching artists/performers, launched a new Wellness Team with a Director of Performer Health and Company Physician focused on dancer health and career longevity
- Partnered with 20+ community venues and organizations
- Added 2 new board members to strengthen leadership and sustainability
- Exceeded fundraising goals at the annual Spring Fête celebration and benefit

Season 25/26 Goals
Moving Art. Moving People. Keeping the Momentum Going! Dance is for everyone!

Artistic & Audience Growth
- Expand live performance opportunities across Orange County and Southern California
- Introduce new site-specific and collaborative works that reach diverse audiences
- Continue to be a voice and advocate for the value and essential need for accessible, equitable and inclusive dance performance and education programming for everyone. Our vision: dance every day for every body.

Education & Equity
- Increase student and school engagement through expanded education performances and programs
- Award 25% more scholarships through the B. Mor Summer Intensive Scholarship Fund
- Strengthen intergenerational programs and new community residencies

Fundraising & Advancement
- Launch “Igniting Potential Giving Day campaign in September 2025 to support growth in education and performance access for youth: Let's Dance
- Plan and produce the Spring Fête 2026 gala to cover artistic fees for dancers, choreographers, productions and core programs
- Expand individual, corporate, and foundation giving to support performances and dancers
- Expand the B. Mor Summer Intensive Scholarship Fund

Leadership & Sustainability
- Finalize and roll out refreshed mission, vision, and values to align with organizational growth
- Recruit 1–2 new board members committed to supporting our mission
- Update strategic plan for the next 3-5 years.
- Prepare for a future capital campaign to secure a permanent home for Backhausdance

Marketing Communications and Promotion
- Reorganize and update Backhausdance website.
- Prepare new digital and print materials to promote performances and education programs more broadly and to respond to needs from the community asking for flyers and materials describing the scope of our education programs.
- Expand outreach to media and press with more frequent press releases and an electronic press kit.
- Continue our digital marketing and social media strategy with frequent stories and posts on Instagram to share our current work and tell our stories of impact for inspiration, engagement and audience development.

1. Expanded staff capability - including a full-time executive director, full-time director of development, full-time financial administrator, part-time or contract for public relations.
2. Expanded underwriting and funding to support education and community programming to increase our capacity and offer free dance sessions to diverse audiences at all ages and abilities.
3. Expanded agency representation for Backhausdance to secure performance opportunities consistently in Orange County, throughout the U.S., and internationally.
4. Marketing communications and public relations are greatly needed to bring awareness of the positive impact that dance and Backhausdance programs have on cognition and prevention of memory decline, integration with school curricula and education, especially for English language learners, students with special needs, and for improvement of quality of life.
5. Backhausdance is in need of a dedicated facility in order to hold classes, workshops, performances, and to rehearse new work. For 20 years the organization has rented studio space.

Backhausdance serves audiences of all ages primarily in Orange County communities and throughout Southern California (Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties. The company has performed nationally and internationally, and expanded our reach throughout the world through social media and digital marketing.

Backhausdance emerged on the Orange County arts ecosystem as the first professional contemporary dance company to serve the community through innovative and engaging artistic endeavors and aspirations for education and training. With its founding in 2003, a significant majority of professional instruction in this dynamic, expressive art form has originated through Jennifer Backhaus and company members since its inception. The company has evolved from a 'homegrown' entity to a solid contributor to providing professional employment and performance opportunities for emerging and experienced artists, learning first-hand through mentorship and guidance by the artistry of the founder, guest choreographers, audience members, and each other. Backhausdance has inspired local talent and college/university graduates with the opportunity to work in a highly-acclaimed professional dance company, with tours to Europe and bookings in New York as well as throughout the US and in Orange County/Southern California.

Backhausdance has garnered attention from choreographers around the world, and has been fortunate to provide opportunities for choreographers to create original works in the U.S. through residencies with the company. We have formed strong alliances and partnerships with Chapman University, UC Irvine, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, The Wooden Floor, Orange County School of the Arts, Orange County schools, city and county-wide community organizations and throughout Southern California.

Backhausdance has developed into a company with an important and leading voice in world of dance throughout Orange County with its unique and fluid dance vocabulary. Our mission emphasizes equal parts performance and education, and our annual Summer Intensive training program held at Chapman University has contributed to the growth of Chapman's dance department and its rise in national prominence. Additionally, the company's dancers are cultural ambassadors for contemporary dance, and we have enriched the tapestry of the arts and cultural life in Orange County. We are in close dialogue with dance studios and other arts organizations to provide the highest quality and meaningful arts experiences to strengthen the quality of life and unify communities.

From Mike Kerr, Board Chair
I first saw the company perform in 2011 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, and shortly thereafter I made a small financial contribution. I was inspired by the company and its breadth, and met Jenny Backhaus at an Orange County arts event in 2014. It was there that my interest in her artistry, talent, potential for the company and Jenny's character grew quickly. I volunteered to start a new board of directors for Backhausdance in 2015 and have continued to serve as chairman since that time. Having had a history of board membership and leadership in other Orange County arts organizations, I was able to recruit new board members from the areas of visual art, music, and dance and the business sector. I understood that the artistic talents at Backhausdance were abundant but that improvement in its management, administration, and financial stability were greatly needed. I have been successful in building a board who contribute substantially to the finances and management of the company, with an increase from a starting point of $80,000 to $350,000 in our current year. We have secured funding from some of the leading arts supporters in Orange County including Bill Gillespie, prestigious philhanthropist for dance and choreography. We have now reached the limits of growth based on personal contacts. The next step requires professional management, increased contributed income, and a restructuring plan to enable the company to thrive, along with a dedicated facility for classes, workshops, rehearsals and performances that will generate new forms of income for the company.