We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jessie Jeanne Stinnett a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jessie Jeanne thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

The mission of Boston Dance Theater is deeply personal for me, and it’s rooted in both my own experiences as a dancer and in my desire to create lasting change in Boston’s dance ecosystem. Boston has long been a city of great potential for dancers—a place where they come to train and refine their craft—but unfortunately, it hasn’t historically offered the same opportunities for them to stay and build their careers.
A significant reason for this is the longstanding dominance of ballet in the professional dance landscape, both locally and nationally. Ballet has long been seen as the “gold standard” of the dance world, with major companies and institutions prioritizing it. There’s a rich tradition of ballet companies in Boston—world-renowned institutions like the Boston Ballet, Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre, and Boston Conservatory provide incredible training, but for contemporary dancers, the opportunities to perform or sustain a career here are minimal in comparison.
As a contemporary dancer myself, I felt this absence acutely. After graduating from The Boston Conservatory, I found that, despite the city’s rich dance heritage, there weren’t enough professional opportunities in contemporary dance to support a career. I, like so many others, was faced with a tough choice: leave Boston to pursue my dream of being a full-time performer or take up work outside of dance and try to fit my dance pursuits around it. It’s a painful reality that far too many dancers, especially those trained in contemporary styles, face in this city.
Contemporary dance, which offers diverse and innovative ways of creating and performing, is often pushed to the margins. Unlike ballet, which has historically enjoyed institutional support and a solid infrastructure of companies, training programs, and performance venues, contemporary dance has had to fight for its space in the conversation. In many ways, contemporary dance is still treated like an experimental form, something that is seen as less “legitimate” or less worthy of large-scale funding and institutional attention.
When I returned to Boston in my thirties, I realized there was an urgent need to create a professional platform for contemporary dancers—something that didn’t just offer sporadic gigs or the occasional performance but that provided consistent, stable, and high-quality opportunities for artists to make a career here. I wanted to offer a space where dancers could fully commit to their craft, live and work as professionals, and—most importantly—stay in the city they call home. That’s when I decided to create Boston Dance Theater.
Building this company was a huge personal challenge. The dance industry has always been hard to navigate, and even harder in a city like Boston where resources are limited, and competition is fierce. But the most meaningful part of this journey has been creating a community that nurtures contemporary artists, provides fair compensation, and gives them the opportunity to thrive. I can’t overstate how significant that is—not just for the dancers, but for the city and the broader arts community as well. Without professional contemporary dance companies, there would be fewer opportunities for young dancers, choreographers, and creators to find their voice.
One of the biggest hurdles we face is making contemporary dance visible to new audiences. Ballet has had generations to build its audience, whereas contemporary dance often has to work harder to educate people on its value and emotional depth. Our mission is to change that, to reach people who might not otherwise see dance as an integral part of their cultural landscape. But to do that, we need dancers who are fully committed and who can afford to dedicate themselves to the work. Boston Dance Theater offers not just a space for the art form to exist, but the opportunity for dancers to truly live from their art, to be professional, full-time artists with the same respect and opportunities afforded to their ballet counterparts.
Our mission is deeply personal because I know firsthand what it’s like to be in the margins of the dance world, unable to find the professional work that allows you to build a career. I spent part of my twenties in Boston working multiple jobs to support my dance career, rarely having the chance to focus solely on my craft. I knew that I didn’t want other dancers to face the same impossible choice—whether to leave their hometown or abandon their dreams altogether. I wanted to create a space where they could stay, thrive, and know that they were valued, not only as artists but as professionals who deserve to make a living wage from their work.
Creating Boston Dance Theater is my way of leveling the playing field. It’s about offering contemporary dancers a platform to develop their artistry and, at the same time, ensuring they are respected and compensated in a way that allows them to sustain their careers here in Boston. For too long, the conversation has been centered around ballet, while contemporary dance has had to fight for recognition. This mission is meaningful to me because it’s about giving contemporary dancers the opportunity to build sustainable careers, to allow them to stay here in Boston, and to change the narrative about what it means to be a professional dancer in the 21st century.
The impact of this mission reaches far beyond just the dancers. When dancers are able to make a living from their art, they contribute to the richness and diversity of the cultural fabric in Boston. They inspire future generations of artists, they engage with new audiences, and they enrich the city’s cultural landscape in ways that can’t always be measured by ticket sales alone. By creating a professional environment for contemporary dance, we’re also opening up new avenues for collaboration, innovation, and growth—both within the dance community and beyond it.
At the heart of Boston Dance Theater is the belief that contemporary dance deserves to be seen, heard, and supported. By creating this company, I hope to spark a cultural shift that not only acknowledges the importance of contemporary dance but actively sustains it.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

About Me & Boston Dance Theater
I’m Jessie Jeanne Stinnett, and I wear many hats in the world of dance and the arts: I’m a professional dancer, choreographer, educator, and the Founder/Co-Director of Boston Dance Theater (BDT). My journey into dance has been shaped by a lifelong passion for music, movement, and community. I grew up in a very musical family, with my father being a music educator. From an early age, I was surrounded by sound, rhythm, and creativity. I trained as a vocalist and studied at Berklee College of Music, but my love for movement always existed alongside my music training. I enjoyed being physically active as a child—riding horses, climbing trees, and simply moving through space. Eventually, I began to explore dance more seriously, first through musical theater dance classes at the Boston Conservatory and later in a formal dance training program at the University of Hartford’s Hartt School.
In 2009, I graduated with a merit scholarship from the Boston Conservatory, where I deepened my technical and artistic training in dance. Over the years, I’ve realized that my fascination with the relationship between sound and movement is the core of my creative work. This connection continues to guide my choreography and teaching—how music, rhythm, and movement can intersect to create something greater than the sum of its parts.
As a dancer and choreographer, I aim to break boundaries. My work is often deeply collaborative, and I focus on telling stories through the physicality of the body and the interplay between music and dance. Whether I’m working on contemporary dance works, multidisciplinary collaborations, or community-focused projects, I see every performance as an opportunity to explore new dimensions of creativity and human experience.
In 2019, I founded Boston Dance Theater (BDT) with the vision of building a sustainable platform for contemporary dancers in Boston—a place where dancers could have a professional, full-time career in a city that has historically been under-resourced for contemporary dance. Boston has long had a vibrant dance community, but the lack of stable professional opportunities for contemporary dancers meant that many had to leave the city to pursue their careers. I created BDT to fill that gap and ensure that talented artists could stay in Boston, make a living from their work, and build the professional careers they deserve.
What We Do at Boston Dance Theater:
At BDT, we are committed to creating high-quality, innovative dance performances while fostering dance education and community outreach. Our mission is to strengthen the dance community in Boston and create new audiences for contemporary dance. Through performances, workshops, and collaborations, we engage both established dance lovers and new audiences who might not typically attend a dance show.
We also take a strong social and cultural approach to our work, which is reflected in our community-oriented initiatives. For example, we launched the SURGE Fellowship, a two-month residency program designed to give BIPOC artists from coastal communities an opportunity to explore the impacts of climate change through art and science collaboration. The SURGE performance invites the audience to interact with dancers and scientists, engaging in a participatory dialogue about climate change and coastal resilience. This program is just one example of how we combine artistic expression with social issues to spark conversations and create positive change.
Another project I’m particularly proud of is The Carol Kaye Project, which celebrates the life and legacy of Carol Kaye, a pioneering electric bassist who played on countless iconic records. Through dance and live interviews with musicians who were influenced by her, we tell Carol’s story in a way that connects different art forms—dance, music, and storytelling. This project has been incredibly well-received, performed to sold-out crowds, and even sparked discussions about how we honor musicians and their cultural contributions.
What Sets Us Apart:
I think what sets Boston Dance Theater apart is the interdisciplinary nature of our work and our dedication to making dance accessible and meaningful for all audiences. We’re not a traditional dance company—we actively seek collaborations that bring together different art forms, such as music, science, and activism, to create innovative and thought-provoking experiences.
At BDT, we’re also mission-driven. We don’t just perform dance; we’re deeply invested in building a sustainable future for dancers, especially contemporary dancers, in Boston. The challenges facing dancers—especially in non-ballet genres—are significant, and our company is dedicated to making a real impact. We provide livable wages, a creative platform, and opportunities for dancers to engage in projects that push the boundaries of traditional dance. Whether it’s our SURGE climate-focused work or our collaborations with musicians like Carol Kaye, our focus is on creating a long-lasting, positive change in the dance ecosystem.
Another defining feature of our work is our community outreach and educational programs. We don’t just create art; we aim to educate and inspire the next generation of dancers and artists. Through masterclasses, community workshops, and our work with BIPOC artists, we create spaces where emerging artists can develop their voices, while our performances introduce audiences to new, innovative perspectives.
What I’m Most Proud Of:
I’m most proud of the way we’ve been able to create something that provides real, meaningful opportunities for artists to make a living through their craft. Seeing dancers grow professionally and thrive in a city that once didn’t offer enough opportunities for contemporary dance is truly fulfilling. When I hear audience members talk about how a BDT performance has changed their perspective on dance or climate change or music, that’s when I know we’re doing something important.
And personally, I’m also incredibly proud of how far we’ve come with projects like The Carol Kaye Project, SURGE, and our various fellowships. These initiatives are a testament to the vision I had when I first founded BDT—to create a platform for collaboration, innovation, and social change through dance.
What You Should Know About Me and BDT:
If there’s one thing I want people to know about Boston Dance Theater, it’s that we are a company deeply rooted in community, collaboration, and activism. We believe that dance is not just an art form—it’s a means of engagement, a way to start conversations, and a tool for change. At BDT, we’re committed to providing artists with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed, while also engaging and educating the public through our performances and community outreach initiatives.
As we move forward, we’ll continue to push boundaries, tell stories that matter, and create a dance ecosystem that values innovation, creativity, and sustainability. Whether through our performances, educational programs, or social justice projects, I hope to continue expanding the impact of Boston Dance Theater and building a more vibrant, inclusive dance community.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to connect and engage people in ways that transcend the ordinary. Dance, like all art forms, has the power to communicate ideas, emotions, and experiences that words alone cannot fully capture. Dance is awe-inspiring because of the human-to-human connection it fosters. But beyond just creating beautiful performances, I find the process itself to be where the true magic happens.
I’ve always been a process person. Some artists endure the process in order to get to the “magical moment” of performance, but for me, the process is where the discovery and research live. I consider myself a researcher—I’m constantly in a state of exploration, always investigating new ways of moving, new ways of collaborating, and new ways of connecting with others. While I certainly enjoy the adrenaline of performing, I’ve always found the most exciting and transformative moments in the studio and in rehearsal. That’s when we’re really digging deep, testing ideas, and taking risks.
As I reflect on this while writing on election day, it feels especially poignant. The most rewarding part of being an artist, for me, is the ability to align my work with the social issues that matter most—climate change, social justice, and advocacy. Art has a unique power to shape culture and influence people’s perspectives, and when we take the time to connect those creative efforts to the real, urgent issues of our time, it makes the work feel incredibly meaningful. I feel fortunate to be part of a company like Boston Dance Theater, where we can use performance to address climate action, environmental justice, and cultural resilience in communities that need it most.
The performative event itself is incredibly powerful. As creators of live performance, we have the unique opportunity to welcome people into a space where they can step away from the everyday, from the habitual, and into a space of possibility. That moment of shared presence, where we collectively experience something beyond words or everyday life, is incredibly transformative. It’s in that space that we have the chance to invite reflection, spark conversation, and—ultimately—inspire action.
For me, the performer-audience relationship is the most exciting part of the work. The act of being together in a room, navigating the shared challenges we face as humans, is where the true power of performance lies. In these moments, we’re not just presenting a finished product; we’re engaging in a dialogue. We’re inviting our audience to join us in experiencing something that resonates deeply and profoundly—a conversation that goes beyond entertainment and touches on the complexities of our world.
When I think about the most rewarding aspects of being an artist, it’s this: the chance to create shared experiences that transcend the personal and become collective. Through dance, I have the opportunity to help people step into a new world, to encourage them to reflect on their place in it, and to offer a space where they can imagine a better future. Whether it’s in the process of creation or the final performance, knowing that our work has the potential to inspire change, to spark conversations, and to move people towards action is what makes being an artist so incredibly rewarding.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

The story of how I met my co-founder and business partner is deeply intertwined with the mentorship I received from Itzik Galili, a Dutch-Israeli choreographer who became a pivotal figure in my artistic journey.
I first met Itzik in 2010, during a period when I was living in Paris, working as a freelance dancer, and beginning to explore the contemporary dance scene in Northern Europe. It was an exciting, yet uncertain time for me, as I was trying to carve out my path in the dance world. I had the opportunity to become an intern at Dansgroep Amsterdam, where Itzik was co-director at the time. Even though we both left the company a year later, we remained in close contact and eventually worked together again in New York City, at the Metropolitan Opera.
Itzik became much more than just a choreographer to me; he was a mentor, always looking out for me and encouraging me to continue finding my own identity as a dancer. The dance industry can be incredibly tough, and during those formative years, his guidance gave me a sense of direction and purpose. He helped me understand that dance isn’t just about mastering technique, but about finding your voice within the art form—a lesson that has stayed with me to this day.
After completing my MFA in Creative Practice from Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London in 2016, I reached out to Itzik for advice. I was in my early 30s and grappling with the question of what my next step would be. I asked him, “If you were my age, what would you do?” Without hesitation, Itzik told me that I should start my own dance company. He didn’t just give me advice; he offered to help me make that dream a reality in Boston.
That conversation was the spark that ignited Boston Dance Theater. Itzik’s belief in me, and in the vision I had for building a professional platform for contemporary dancers in Boston, was a turning point in my career. With his mentorship and support, I began the journey of founding BDT, and his ongoing guidance has been instrumental as we’ve grown into what we are today.
Itzik’s influence is felt in everything we do at BDT. His commitment to pushing boundaries, his emphasis on artistic integrity, and his belief in the power of collaboration are values that are embedded in the company. Having him as both a mentor and a collaborator has been one of the greatest gifts of my career. He showed me that it’s not just about the work you create, but about how you build community and support other artists along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bostondancetheater.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bostondancetheater/
• Other: https://vimeo.com/bostondancetheater

Image Credits

Melissa Blackall Photography