thePULSEWorcester’s Fledgling Resident Dance Company
January 2006 –
When a woman is passionate about something, she will do everything in her power to keep it in her life. Just ask Jennifer Agbay. Jenn, who has been dancing since she was four years old, was disheartened when she realized that, as an adult with numerous responsibilities and obligations, she had begun to dance less and less. She missed her art very much and was not ready to hang up her shoes. “It’s like telling a painter he can’t paint and taking away his brushes,” she explained, “you just can’t do it, you can’t tell a dancer not to dance, you can’t take the shoes, you can’t take away the music.”
The combination of missing her dancing and believing that Worcester needed to have its own residential dance company (which it did have at one time, but long ago) inspired Jenn to establish Company X, an adult dance company that encompassed all different styles. “Every member of the company brings something different,” she notes, “there are people who excel in ballet, tap, and modern dance, which broadens the appeal to a variety of people in the community.”
When asked what gave her the confidence to establish Company X, Jenn mentions all of the people she knew who still want to dance, who “…still want to move those legs.” There are so many “former” dancers who wanted to remain connected to dance that she knew it was worth a try. So in September of 2003, the 9 member company started rehearsing and on January 28, 2004 Company X officially opened its doors. Their performances have included First Night 2004, one at Union Station, and a fundraising event at Mechanics Hall. For Jenn, the biggest thrill of Company X is “…that it was mine, that I was the catalyst for all of this,” and that “…the caliber of the dancers makes it so worthwhile.”
But it’s not all cheering and curtain calls. Starting a company like this has its troubled spots as well. Scheduling is difficult when the group of people involved are not only dancers, but mothers, teachers and other professionals as well, ranging in age from 23 to 36 years old. It can be hard to find a time that works for both the accountant in tax season and the woman raising a newborn.
Looking back on Company X’s first year, Jenn was amazed at the success and thought, “Wow, this really can happen!” While Company X has no official performances planned for spring as of yet, they are gearing up for another great year, planning and rehearsing its repertoire of classical ballet, modern, tap and jazz. Keep your eye out for flyers and of course check thePulse in coming months for more information. Worcester can expect to be very proud of this up-and-coming addition to its cultural scene, its own resident dance company.
Anyone interested in auditioning for or finding out more information about Company X can call 508.612.1215 and ask for Jennifer Agbay.
