Photography by Ned Jacobs 2025

ABOUT

“Bodily hexis is political mythology realised, embodied, turned into a permanent disposition, a durable manner of standing, speaking and thereby feeling and thinking.”
- Pierre Bourdieu

Welcome to Hexis Dance Company. This is a movement in contemporary dance that is coordinated and carefully crafted to shape the art form as it currently lives and breathes. We are innovators in contemporary dance on stage and screen in the professional and pre-professional realms. Independent of one another AND together as one, the two populations are imbued with a naturally curious, synergistic vigor and curate a captivating experience for all.

Mission

Hexis Dance Company is dedicated to shaping the future of contemporary dance through collaboration across generations of artists. By bringing together professional dancers and emerging young artists, Hexis fosters a dynamic environment where experience, experimentation, and mentorship illuminate the evolving language of contemporary dance.

Background

Contemporary dance is an emerging and emergent field, progressing rapidly in so many directions, that approaching it from any angle requires curiosity about the following qualifications: What is contemporary dance? Who is contemporary dance? Where is contemporary dance? When is contemporary dance? And, perhaps most importantly, why contemporary dance in the first place? A definition of contemporary dance must be simultaneously detailed without being reductive and universal without being too broad. Here at Hexis Dance Company, Polly would like to propose the following definition based on her research:

Contemporary dance is the interplay of corporeality and aesthetics, the embodiment of history, and the temporality of choreographic and improvisational methods.

One key aspect of Hexis Dance Company is that it uniquely serves as the platform for pre-professional dancers to begin building the relationships that will support them in their entry into the current state of contemporary dance. Hexis Dance Company is composed of two ensembles: Hexis I, the professional company; and Hexis II, the company of under-18, pre-professional dancers. The relationship between the two groups is reflexive, with each benefiting from the experiences of the others through research, rehearsal, performance, and conversation. Collaboration is steadfast, embedded, and constantly evolving in the arts. The nature of the collaborative spirit is one that is inquisitive and tenacious, sensitive and declarative all at the same time.The inspiration that comes from difference in thought, method, and expression unites individuals in a common movement. Hexis Dance Company embodies these ideals and lives in gratitude of spirit and generosity of thought, leading the charge of change in contemporary dance.

Hexis I

Hexis I is the professional company in Hexis Dance Company. The company is comprised of highly talented and thoughtful individuals who are deeply invested in contemporary dance. Hexis I is constantly questioning what it means to be a professional contemporary dance company in the US in the 21st century through choreography, film, class, and discourse. On stage and on screen, the company is excited by its responsibility to contribute to the ever-growing body of repertory that makes up the nuanced field of contemporary dance in a virtuous, meaningful way.

One of the main pillars of Hexis Dance Company as a whole is interdisciplinary collaboration. Hexis I is constantly in partnership with musicians, composers, film makers, photographers, and researchers, among others, to inform its latest creations. While primarily a concert contemporary dance company, these artists are constantly exploring ways that other mediums can enhance and augment contemporary dance through conversation, improvisation, and practice. The future of contemporary dance is now, and Hexis I is at the forefront of informing and shaping its presentation, education, and outreach.

Hexis II

Hexis II is the pre-professional company in Hexis Dance Company. The youngest generation of pre-professional dancers is perpetually referred to as the “future” of dance, with each graduating class annually ushering in the next group. For these teen-aged artists to be equipped to fully realize themselves as arbiters of the next movement, they need access and experience in it in order to inform it intelligently. Designed for dancers 13-18 years old, Hexis II provides age appropriate opportunities for aspiring performers to be a part of a contemporary dance company and dance alongside professional dancers on stage and in rehearsals. This is a radical departure from traditional youth dance experiences in the K-12 settings and a unique innovation in contemporary dance.

The main goals of Hexis II are: