Internationally Renowned Springboard Danse Brings Summer Project to Point Park University and Downtown Pittsburgh Friday, July 18, 2025
A photo from ABYSS, a pop-up installation at the Smithfield-Liberty parking garage by Springboard Resident Choreographer slowdanger.
Through a new, multiyear partnership with Point Park University, Springboard Danse relocated its three-week summer project to Pittsburgh from Montreal. Springboard Danse is recognized worldwide as a destination for career development.
In total, 120 dancers, 10 Principal Companies, seven Emerging Choreographers, two Resident Choreographers and one Fellow gathered from around the world at Point Park to collaborate and connect through workshops, classes, showings, auditions, creations and the staging of international repertory.
"We were blown away by the generosity and hospitality we experienced from Point Park, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and UPMC Sports Medicine during our first year in Pittsburgh," said Alexandra Wells, founder and artistic director of Springboard Danse.
"The partnership between Springboard Danse and Point Park highlights dance's unifying characteristic while bridging emerging and established artists from around the world with creatives, centering Pittsburgh as an artist destination," said Garfield Lemonius, M.F.A., School of Dance dean and artistic director of the Conservatory of Performing Arts. "This inaugural project was an ecosystem filled with incredible dancers and creatives from all over the world, showcasing body intelligence through movement dexterity and innovative physicality."
Behind the Scenes at Springboard Danse
Alumni Participation at Springboard Danse
Twelve Point Park alumni returned to campus in a variety of roles for Springboard Danse | Pittsburgh.
Jannah Rosa '18 and Joi Ware '19 first attended Springboard as participants in 2019 and were thrilled to return as staff members this year. Rosa is a program manager and Ware is a program associate.
"Springboard was the launching pad for my professional dance career. From performing and teaching to choreography and arts administration, the program played a pivotal role in shaping my path," said Ware. "Springboard was the bridge between my pre-professional training and a sustainable career, connecting me with some of the industry's most inspiring and influential artists who helped guide me toward my goals."
Sidra Bell Dance New York, one of the 10 Principal Companies, brought company member Kimie Parker '19 as a guest teaching artist and choreographic assistant.
"As a Point Park and Springboard alumna, my role with Sidra Bell Dance New York has been incredible. This has been a full-circle moment," Parker said. "I first met Sidra in my junior year when I was cast in her piece Wreckage for the Conservatory Dance Company at Point Park. Her rehearsal process and methods opened my eyes to a new perspective on contemporary dance. I'm forever grateful to Point Park for introducing me to Sidra, which has propelled my six-year collaboration with her and the company."
For Marques Murphy '25, returning to Point Park as a Springboard dancer felt like coming home.
"I grew up at Point Park, so being in an environment that holds so many memories from my life here brought a deep sense of warmth," Murphy said. "It's made my experience with Springboard even more fulfilling. I'm very grateful to be a part of this program."
Additionally, alumni and part-time Point Park dance faculty Taylor Knight '12 and Anna Thompson '12, co-founders of slowdanger, were Resident Choreographers at Springboard. Their work ABYSS, a pop-up installation featuring movement, sound and laser lights, was featured in the rotunda of the Smithfield-Liberty parking garage in Downtown Pittsburgh.
Photo Gallery: Springboard Danse 2025
State-of-the-Art Facilities Create a Hub for Artists
All Springboard Danse classes, rehearsals and auditions took place in Point Park's George Rowland White (GRW) Performance Center. According to Wells, the GRW dance complex created a hub for the artists.
"After a three-year pause, seeing all the dancers gathered together in one studio for the Resident, Fellow and Emerging Choreographer audition on the first night was one of the most memorable moments of the project," said Wells. "This was the first time in our 25-year history that all the classes, rehearsals and auditions have all happened in one building, all thanks to access to the GRW Performance Center at Point Park."
Springboard events were also held in the University's Pittsburgh Playhouse. Those included the PLATFORM showing, featuring excerpts of work previously created by Resident, Fellow and Emerging Choreographers, and the industry showing, which highlighted works-in-progress created and/or staged by principal companies, Resident, Fellow and Emerging Choreographers.
"We are so grateful to Garfield Lemonius, Marlin Collingwood, assistant vice president of enrollment management and Dr. Chris W. Brussallis, president of Point Park University, for their partnership," Wells said.
