Assistant Dean of Programming and Special Projects Jackie Kopcsak in rehearsal for her premiere "Sweet Nothings" | Photo by Matt de la Peña

The Assistant Dean of Programming and Special Projects discusses the joy of curation and challenging artists in meaningful ways.

By Arjun Kochhar (BFA ’25)

Jackie Kopcsak walks on a path of many histories. As a founding faculty member and Associate Professor of Practice, she shares a long and kindred past with the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. In her many years pioneering the school, she has stood at the forefront of the institution’s dedication to art, artists and artistry.

In June 2023, by virtue of a nomination from Dean Julia M. Ritter, Kopcsak was elevated to the position of Assistant Dean of Programming and Special Projects. “For a school like USC Kaufman—an institution deeply dedicated to high-caliber performance along with the development of professional artists—having someone who understands its curatorial needs is key,” Ritter shared. “This position necessitates time, dedication and a strong foundation, all of which are characteristics exemplified by Jackie Kopcsak.”

More than most, Kopcsak has found a joy in curation. “I am constantly seeking out those who are redefining the boundaries of our craft—perhaps innovating with vernacular dance or exploring contemporary forms in different ways,” she says. “I am thrilled at the possibility of engaging with artists from across the world. Often, I consider how they might contribute to the school and its students. Other times, I assess how their work aligns with our curriculum. How they may enhance or challenge our dancers in meaningful ways.”

As a result of her devotion to expanding artistic horizons, USC Kaufman is on the brink of a milestone and Kopcsak is at the heart of it. In a school first, members of the Class of 2024 and 2025 are bound for Becket, Massachusetts, to make their debut at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival on July 24. Soon after, the school will make an additional presentation at the Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre at Boston University on July 28.

The journey to Jacob’s Pillow started with an invitation, when Executive & Artistic Director Pamela Tatge connected with the school. “The initial idea was to present repertory work featuring the Class of 2024. This is primarily considering that they did not have their first-year in-person,” explained Kopcsak. “Therefore, when Jacob’s Pillow emerged as a possibility, we thought about honoring those who did not have that four-year experience. This was the starting point.”

As this thought shaped into reality, Kopcsak curated a program that embodies the breadth of the Kaufman curriculum. In doing so, she led with questions. “There is a lot of dabbling with emotionalities and practicalities. How can the evening have an arc but also work within the parameters of our production possibilities?” she says. In a school so deeply steeped in hybridity, Kopcsak dedicated time and thought to handpicking the repertory.

In collaboration with the Artistic Advisory Committee—a team that serves as the faculty curatorial council —Kopcsak modeled a program that showcases the school’s extensive movement diversity. USC Kaufman’s East Coast tour features four exquisite works of choreography: Medulla Problems by Claude and Alfred Mann Endowed Professor of Dance Kyle Abraham, … Loving Well by Artist-in-Residence Hope Boykin, L/Anding by USC Kaufman Lecturer Nina Flagg in addition to the world premiere of Jackie Kopcsak’s Sweet Nothings.

Looking back on the months of preparation that have carried this tour forward, there is a soothing joy knowing that history is about to unfold. What follows now is the beauty of sharing it with the audiences at Jacob’s Pillow and Boston University. So, when asked what dream is guiding this debut, Kopcsak thought for a brief moment before responding: “The full-bodied movement will make the audience feel, beyond doubt, a kinesthetic empathy. They will be grooving in their seats. Hopefully, they will leave a little more joyful than when they came in.”

Dean Ritter added, “This engagement provides us, as an institution, with an opportunity to connect with the community, patrons, faculty, and staff. These are the keepers of history. Today, we have the opportunity to create a history of our own with them.”

The USC Kaufman 2024 Summer Tour is made possible by The Lau Family, Tour Lead Benefactors; The Noble Family Collaborative Arts Fund. Additional support provided by The Rod & Elsie Nakamoto Travel Fund; The Robert N. Braun, MD & Joan Friedman, MD Travel Fund. Special thanks to Shelly Nemirovsky, Hank and Gerry Alpert and the USC Kaufman Board of Councilors.