Mississippi: The Dance Company

In 1983, The Department of Theatre Arts hired John Henry, a highly acclaimed and award-winning dancer/choreographer from San Francisco to become its first full-time dance faculty member. John accepted the position under the condition that the department would support a concert dance company under his direction. When he arrived in Oxford, he was asked what the company should be called. He thought a moment, then jokingly said, "How about something real original, like—Mississippi: The Dance Company?" Everyone had a nice laugh, but as the weeks wore on toward the company's first performances, no other name had surfaced; Mississippi: The Dance Company became our resident dance company's permanent name.

Current Artistic Director, Jennifer Mizenko, took over in 1989, and under her leadership, Mississippi: The Dance Company has become a major player among college and university companies, appearing regularly in Gala performances of American College Dance Festival Association. In 2004, the company achieved national finalist status and was invited to perform Before Now and After Then at the Kennedy Center in our nation's capital.

From its inception, modern dance has been the focus of the company's work, but all of its concerts have included an eclectic mix of jazz, tap, ballet, even hip-hop. If you love dancing and have talent, every Mississippi: The Dance Company concert will have something you would kill to be in.

For additional information, please contact:
Jennifer Mizenko at

jmizenko@olemiss.edu

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and video clips.