Octavia Cup Dance Theatre More Photos...

Founded in 1998, Laura Ward/Octavia Cup Dance Theatre is an all female, contemporary ballet company devoted to highlighting the dynamic strength of women. The choreography and staging challenge both the dancers and the audience to delve a little deeper into their own shadows and mirrors with a sense of humor and absurdity. The choreography is usually on pointe, but the movement expands well beyond the conventional forms of ballet as so clearly stated by Jack Anderson from the New York Times "instead of having dancers skim with balletic grace, she often had them stagger". The company collaborates with other New York based artists to create multi-layered spectacles rich with imagery, feelings, and ideas. Each piece is presented in a nonlinear kaleidoscopic manner, providing drama and resonance, reaching into the secret soul spaces that thrum beneath the surface of everyday life. Laura Ward is responsible for masterminding most of the choreography and staging, she dances in the company along with Heather Garbrandt, Jaime Thompson and Lisa Benke.