DEAR OLIVIA 2012

Inspired by a letter Joanie wrote to a young woman on the eve of her Bat Mitzvah, “Dear Olivia,” traces the life span of a woman under the guiding and watchful eye of a young girl’s spirit.

Choreography Joanie Block Original Score Billy Novick Film Maker Lynn Bikofsky Set Design Linda Klein

STREAMING SHABBAT 2013

When Joanie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, her husband wanted to send her into surgery with a gift assuring her of her family’s presence. The gift he offered was an image of the four of them at the Shabbat dinner table, holding hands, a circle of energy. Joanie succumbed to anesthesia, summoned the image, and let its light stream in. Stories from the Talmud, the Holocaust, and Joanie’s own memory are the inspiration for this work.

Choreography Joanie Block Original Score Billy Novick Film Maker Lynn Bikofsky

 EMERGE DANCING 2017

This multi-media concert, created and performed by Jewish and Muslim dancers, composers, writers and musicians offers a poignant expression of what is still possible at a time of fear and derision.

Choreography Joanie Block Film Maker Clarissa Duque

NEITHER HERE NOR THERE 2019

This dance explores the concept of home. How did our ancestors define home? How do we? Is it a place? Is it a feeling? Can it be owned? Can it be stolen?

Choreography Joanie Block Film Maker Clarissa Duque

UNDER THE CANOPY 2024

Expressions of life, love, loss and resilience, in honor of Joanie’s husband, Sandy Block, who died in 2021. Loss of identity and loss of homeland. Loss of a spouse, a sister, a baby, and a mother to dementia. These are the stories of grief and healing we dance in “Under the Canopy”.

Choreography Joanie Block, Edie Hettinger, Jason Jordan, Jennifer Lin, Andy Taylor

Original Score Ken Field

Film Maker Nicole Ward