TESTIMONIALS

“We brought Jody Sperling/Time Lapse Dance to Southern Methodist University as part of the SMU Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute’s annual Big Challenge Series focusing on climate resilience. As we sought programming and events that would highlight the interdisciplinary nature of potential solutions to the challenge of climate resilience, we realized Jody Sperling/Time Lapse Dance would be a perfect fit. We were excited to bring them to SMU for a week-long residency that included many class visits, a panel discussion on spurring climate change engagement between Jody and SMU faculty, and a culminating performance by the company of their works Arbor, Plastic Harvest, Wind Rose, and Piece for a Northern Sky. 

Through all of these engagements Jody and the company shared an innovative dance practice that communicated how the goal of climate resilience can be advanced through artistic expression and creative collaboration across disciplines. The class visits in particular were a big hit. Not only did Jody and the company lead classes in the Dance department, but Jody also fostered connections with faculty and students in fields as diverse as Art History, Anthropology, Engineering, and Earth Science. Each class she visited appreciated the insight and unique perspective she was able to bring and she empowered our campus to find ways to engage and make a difference in our environment, no matter what our specialty is. 

The culminating performance was powerful and moving. The company gives a visually gorgeous performance and their passion for their craft and mission is evident in all they do. Each piece they performed is carefully curated at every level—the music, lights, costume, and choreography are all deeply intentional. The performance no doubt elevated the audience’s appreciation for the arts and inspired them to take action to protect our planet.”
—Karisa Cloward, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Ruth Collins Altshuler Director, Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute, Southern Methodist University

“Jody Sperling’s weeklong residency at the University of Illinois was transformative for our dance students. Jody’s teaching expanded their sense of space and brought expressions of joy and wonder to their faces through her group exercises and the feelings inspired by the Loïe Fuller-style costumes she graciously brought with her. Jody’s lectures on the innovations of Loïe Fuller and on her own Time Lapse Dance were fascinating, and as an added benefit, will be useful for further Illinois faculty research. Her residency was a catalyst for three remarkable cross-disciplinary events, which brought together students and faculty from dance, game studies and design, experimental fashion, theater lighting and costuming, media studies, and environmental studies. The Center for Advanced Studies, which sponsored a prestigious lecture for her, noted that there never had been so many campus departments to co-sponsor a visiting scholar or artist. We at the University of Illinois are thankful for all the information and the inspiration she imparted to us and are hoping to have her back for more!”
—John Toenjes, Professor, Music Director, Co- Director of Undergraduate Education, University of Illinois Department of Dance

“The embodiment of nature’s beauty, strength, and our place within it, comes alive when Jody Sperling/Time Lapse Dance performs. We hired the ensemble as the anchor piece for our City of Forest Day celebration in NYC. Not only was “Arbor” with its sweeping larger-than-life tree-themed silks the perfect match to the day, but every audience member from the youngest to the oldest was riveted. And behind-the-scenes planning was a joy. Jody had a complete understanding of our aim, and unwavering dedication when we had to pivot from outdoors to indoors due to rain. She and the dancers were so generous and kind and created an unforgettable experience we now collectively share.”
—Christina Delfico, founder iDig2Learn

Jody Sperling /Time Lapse Dance was a central attraction for our Earth Day event. The performance was spectacular! From start to finish, the dancers captured the essence of Earth Day with their energy, movement, and creativity. The performance was held on a bustling open street with lots of activity but the group's choreography created a sense of unity and connection, making it feel like we were all part of one big party! The audience, which included young children, were captivated and many passersby also stopped to enjoy.  Overall, the performance is a testament to Jody's talent, creativity, and commitment to community. I would highly recommend Jody and her group to anyone looking for a unique and captivating dance experience.
—Solveig Entwistle, Car-Free Earth Day Event Organizer 

"I highly recommend Jody without reservation, and have only positive opinions of her as a performing artist and creator, in addition to the high level of artistic achievement she extracted from our dancers . . . Jody is a dedicated, curious artist, who is openly available to the student artists selected to work with her. She also built a strong rapport in collaboration with the university system, faculty, and eventually the audience. She has an honest, deep, and warm personality. Our students were impressed by and honored to work with Jody. They thrived as they worked together to build community in the true spirit demanded by her movements of both the body and the costumes. Jody is exacting, while holding the positive confidence that students will achieve success in her work."
–Maida Withers, George Washington University

“Jody’s week-long campus residency beautifully illustrated the connections that exist between sustainability and the arts. Her programming engaged folks from a variety of disciplines in deep discussion and reflection about the impacts of climate change and prompted individuals to consider the role that the arts, and dance more specifically, can play in climate action. Jody’s residency was well-received and forged new relationships between the Sustainability Office and our Dance Department.”
—Levi Rogers, Sustainability Coordinator, Skidmore College

“We hired Jody Sperling to do a lecture/demonstration at The Clark for the opening of our show, The Impressionist Line and our own Toulouse Lautrec print, Miss Loie Fuller. Our standards are high and Jody did not disappoint. Her performance filled the house and brought the house down, so to speak! We are still getting visitor comment forms from people who were in the audience, raving about her show. Jody was a pleasure to work with, from beginning to end. She is the consummate professional, knowledgeable, down-to-earth, and extremely talented. Without a doubt, we plan to work with Jody again in the future.”
—Ronna Tulgan Ostheimer, Ed.D., Director of Education, The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute

“Jody’s re-envisioning of Loie Fuller’s work and her own dynamic choreography was a tremendous treat for the senses. In her two solos and in dancing with her company, the audience was captivated by the velvety richness of color and movement as the dancers swirled yards and yards of silk with effortless ease. Our audience was completely enthralled by the sheer beauty of the presentation and the endless possibilities that fabric, movement and music together can offer. I think, if the modern dance pioneer Loie Fuller were there that evening she would have approved and even been enchanted. I continue to hear wonderful comments about the concert.

Jody Sperling was a delight to work with from beginning to end. I have great admiration for her style which is filled with creative imaginations and a fluid strength at its core. She also brings a joie de vivre to her choreography which is evident in the dances performed with a set of unique skills by her dance company members. In person, Jody is well organized, charming and professional, her competence as a dancer, choreographer and a scholar came through in all the activities she presented for us. From all aspects, the entire residency with Time Lapse was an unqualified success. ”
—Ranjanaa Devi, Director of Asian Arts & Culture, Fine Arts Center. University of Massachusetts Amherst

“Every component of the residency was an unqualified success. The range of Time Lapse Dance’s offerings touched our community on many levels. The performance was outstanding, and I continue to hear from audience members how captivating and hypnotizing they found it. The performance at the Lied Center broke an IAS record with 920 spectators, who came out on a rainy night no less.”
—Rhonda Garelick, Curator & Director of the Interdisciplinary Arts Symposium

“From exquisite re-invisionings of the works of dance pioneer Loie Fuller to the presentation of her own dynamic and original contemporary choreography, Jody Sperling and Time Lapse Dance provide a broad palette of possibilities, including master classes, lectures, and performance activities to audiences of all ages. In addition to her talents as a choreographer of stunningly beautiful dance presentations, Ms. Sperling is a delightful person to work with: responsible, efficient, and well organized. I have the utmost respect for the quality of her work, the professionalism of the company, and her ability to work with presenters to create vibrant residencies tailored to the interests of each community.”
—Cynthia Williams, Professor of Dance, Hobart & William Smith Colleges

“What an absolute pleasure it was to host Jody Sperling/Time Lapse Dance at the Westminster Arts Center at Bloomfield College this year. It was the second time we’ve had Ms. Sperling . . . Audiences were mesmerized by the amazing spectacle of dance and light . . . I cannot thank this company enough for bringing such a unique performance to our space and for being so easy to work with. From the planning with their designers working with our tech director to the exuberance each dancer brought with the, it was an enjoyable experience from beginning to end. I don’t believe I could recommend this company enough to others (and have done just that with colleagues that I know at other arts centers). I strongly and highly suggest that anyone looking for a dance program would include Time Lapse Dance in their line-up. This company is top-notch and deserves to be seen by many.” 
—Gregory Allen, Managing Director Westminster Arts Center

“It was our great pleasure to have Jody Sperling/Time Lapse Dance . . . Our community is still talking about their stunning performance. . . It was an undulating, iridescent, captivating program of modern dance that enthralled the audience.”
—Carrie Clark, Maryhill Museum of Art