We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rebecca R. Levy. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rebecca R. below.

Rebecca R., appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

Being a dancer, choreographer, and artistic director is still very much work. While it’s a deeply personal and creative process, the reality of leading Jacksonville Dance Theatre inside of a capitalist society means that the work must also function as a product. Each performance, piece of choreography, and artistic vision needs to be of the highest quality, and there’s the added pressure of ensuring that people are willing to invest in the experience, whether by attending a performance or supporting the company.

There are moments when the idea of having a “regular job” does cross my mind—usually when I’m feeling the weight of responsibility as an artistic director. Sometimes, I wish someone else could step in and take the lead, even for a moment, or I feel the burden of carrying the company’s future on my shoulders. But even in those moments, I never take the privilege of being an artist for granted. The opportunity to create dance, to choreograph, and to guide Jacksonville Dance Theatre is something I’m profoundly grateful for every single day.

Rebecca R., before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Rebecca R. Levy, a choreographer, performer, and educator based in Jacksonville, Florida, and the artistic director of Jacksonville Dance Theatre (JDT), a professional contemporary modern dance company I co-founded in 2012. My artistic journey has always been intertwined with dance, choreography, and education. I’m passionate about creating works that explore the complexities of the human mind, feminism, bodily autonomy, and the forces that unite and divide us. Through my role at JDT, I’ve had the opportunity to develop performances that blend humor and dance theater, often collaborating with visual artists, composers, costume designers, and filmmakers to create detailed, athletic, and engaging pieces.

What sets JDT apart is our focus on fostering innovation within the arts community here in Jacksonville. As artistic director, I am responsible for crafting new works, leading company performances, commissioning exciting new voices in the dance world, and providing comprehensive training to our dancers. Our company aims not just to entertain but also to challenge perceptions and encourage thoughtful conversation through our performances.

Before founding Jacksonville Dance Theatre, my career included dancing as a soloist with Lineage Dance Company in Los Angeles, as well as serving as co-artistic director of B.E. Productions Dance Company. I hold a Masters of Fine Arts in Choreography from California Institute of the Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, which provided me with a strong foundation in both performance and choreography. These experiences have allowed me to present work on national and international stages, including performances in Mexico and France.

In addition to my role at JDT, I’m a professor and director of dance at Florida State College at Jacksonville, where I guide a diverse group of students in their dance education. My contributions to the arts community have been recognized through awards like the 2020 Art Educator of the Year from the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and the 2019 40 Under 40 Award from The Jacksonville Business Journal.

What makes me most proud, though, is the ability to create art that resonates with people on a deep level and to help grow the artistic culture in Jacksonville. Through my work with JDT, I want people to know that dance is a powerful vehicle for connection, reflection, and change. For me, it’s not just about choreography—it’s about creating experiences that inspire thought, dialogue, and a sense of community.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Dance and the process of creating it often come with significant physical and emotional challenges. As time passes and our bodies age, the decision to return to the studio demands a level of dedication that can be hard to articulate. This journey is a profound exploration of the human experience, where we confront themes of connection, mortality, health, and illness through the physicality of our craft.

In essence, dance is a true expression of living in the moment. Each live performance is ephemeral, vanishing in real time, yet it leaves behind a memory that fills our lives with the magic of possibility. Dance imparts meaning, embodies hope, and reveals the incredible capabilities of the human body when it channels something greater than itself.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I was once taught that success demands sacrifice, sometimes at the expense of my mental and physical health. This mindset led to significant stress, which ultimately manifested in physical health issues and strained personal relationships. Now, as a woman in middle age, I look back with gratitude at the hard work I’ve put in, but I’ve come to realize that learning doesn’t have to come from suffering. We can embrace discomfort without it leading to harm, and sometimes the easier path is indeed the right one.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jacksonvilledancetheatre.org
• Instagram: @jdtheatre and @rrldf
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleDanceTheatre
• Twitter: @jdtheatre
• Youtube: @jacksonvilledancetheatre5305 and @sideangle
• Other: Vimeo: Jacksonville Dance Theatre

Image Credits

Please credit from top photo: AyameFoto
Katherine Richardson (additional photos 1, 2, 4 & 5)
AyameFoto (additional photos 3, 6 & 8)