Madjax Dance COMPANY

Release

MadJax Dance Company presents Release, a collection of works that encapsulates the idea of vulnerability juxtaposed by power and strength in today’s society bridging together age, race, and sexuality into a platform of powerful, thought-provoking works.  Each choreographic work will span from the profoundly simple example of noticing the humanity in whoever crosses paths to the more complex issues surrounding ongoing social injustices and this country’s rampant mistreatment of the human race, specifically people of color. Release further explores the roles of women carrying the weight of societal expectations while maintaining a sense of self-awareness, inner strength, and independence struggling to let go of painful feelings and memories from the past desperate for connection to people or a higher power.

Release invites the audience to explore their own emotions through a visual smorgasbord ranging from fun, quirky, lighthearted shenanigans to deep sorrows that happen along life’s journey filled with choices, connections, and memories.   Each choreographic work offers a different nuance and perspective, building upon the next, encouraging one to question their roles, purpose, and functionality in life. Choreography for Release is a collaborative effort with the help of the company members, highlighting original works created by Madi Jackson, Jailyn Harris, and a special commissioned work by guest choreographer Kim Karpanty.

About the Artistic Director & Founder: Madi D. Jackson

Madi D. Jackson is a native of New York and earned her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Kent State University. She also holds an MA in Professional Counseling from Liberty University.  She holds licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). She is currently on staff at Saint Martin de Porres High School as the Grade Level Counselor. Upon graduating with her undergraduate degree, she received a scholarship to study with Malashock Dance and Co. in San Diego, CA., and went on to perform as a Guest Artist in the San Diego Opera’s production of AIDA. She has since had the opportunity to perform and study across the nation, Canada, and Mexico. Madi has danced with the Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre and Quagmire Dance, Inc., and worked with Debbie Blunden Diggs, Sherry “Sparkle” Williams, and Shonna Hickman-Matlock from Dayton Contemporary Dance Theatre. She continued to study and train in New York with such notables as Sean Curran and David Dorfman. Madi was an Alumni guest artist with the Kent Dance Ensemble and performed at the Gus Giordano Jazz Dance World congress in Monterrey, Mexico. With an intense passion for choreography, she has had several of her works adjudicated by Ronald K. Brown, Elizabeth Streb, Zvi Gunthier, Mark Taylor, Martha Myers, and others. Madi recently had the opportunity to study directly with Lynn Simonson learning her jazz techniques, and was successful in completing the Simonson Method of Teacher Training (SMTT) Certification. She now incorporates the codified technique into many of her classes to train and develop dancers while moving anatomically correct to increase strength and reduce injury. 

She spent over a decade in the MD/DC area teaching, performing, and choreographing for several dance companies and developing many dance programs for charter and private schools.  She became a long-time company member of Full Circle Dance Company based in Baltimore and served as the studio administrator for many years. She has taught for the past 29 years in many styles to all ages, from 3 to adults. Upon returning to the Cleveland area nine years ago, Madi has performed with MaDaCol Dance Company at Case Western Reserve, served as a choreographer for the Cleveland Public Theatre STEP summer arts program for two seasons, and has held teaching and administrative roles in local charter schools. She has performed new works for The Cleveland Dance Project, Cleveland Dance Festival, Lakewood Arts Festival, Move It Festival, and the Ohio Dance Festival.  Madi currently teaches Contemporary and Jazz at The Beck Center for The Arts.  

About MadJax Dance Company

MadJax Dance Company (MJDC) was created amidst a pandemic in June 2020 by Artistic Director Madi D. Jackson. Furthering the community is as much a priority to MadJax Dance Company as getting on stage, making its mission to foster growth in others through training, performance, and interconnection. It is considered an all-level, multi-generational dance company allowing for inclusivity to all technical skill sets and abilities. Madi Jackson has a seamless way of bringing together performers interested in social activism and proudly boasts company members that lift the world around them through philanthropy. Civic engagement is a pillar for the company and often a muse for its movement.

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All photos courtesy of MadJax Dance Company.