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You can tell at a glance that Joan and Jena Woodbury are mother and daughter.
Each has the slender physique of a born dancer, and bright eyes that sparkle with ideas.
Genetic traits aren't all that has been passed from mother to daughter. Woodbury shared with Jena her passion for dance, and gave her daughter a chance to do something important with the gift. And Jena Woodbury proved herself.
Now, after several years of planning the transition, Woodbury is stepping down as managing director of Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, which she co-founded with Shirley Ririe in 1964. Jena Woodbury steps into the managing directorship, having been associate managing director for the past four years.
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In her mother's footsteps • Jena Woodbury can't remember a time when she wasn't joining her mother for road trips to accept teaching opportunities and travel with Ririe-Woodbury. R-W colleagues agree unanimously that Jena Woodbury is a whiz at booking and managing the company's many national and international tours.
Besides working as R-W's touring manager, Jena worked a stint as education director, organizing the company's successful program of school tours, as well as working in marketing and public relations.
Along the way, Jena Woodbury moved to Portland, Ore., where she was associate general manager for Imago Theater.
That part of the story is a chapter most mothers and daughters will relate to. "I moved away because I needed my own identity," Jena said.
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Her own way • She acquired valuable experience in arts administration there, and loved connecting with Portland's artists and performers. But she missed Utah's sunshine, and when she returned to Salt Lake City, she understood Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company better. "I realized that the company is really unique and that these two women have dedicated their lives to something amazing," she said.
Jena Woodbury was especially impressed by the importance her mother and Ririe place on dance education and training new dancers for the company. "For me, that brought me back to my mom — realizing that those values I know I have came from her."
Jena Woodbury said she shares her mother's deep commitment to making the dance company a place of collaboration and creativity, but the two women's personalities are quite different.
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Turning point • Woodbury, a whirlwind of creativity and action, is more outgoing than her daughter. Jena Woodbury's serene manner conceals essential abilities to organize, create structure and manage details.
"I have to be myself. I'm not my mom," she said. "I'd like everyone to know that this is a new moment, and to come to the company with fresh eyes and fresh understanding."
It's a turning point that includes the debut of three new dancers — half of the company's contingent of six — and three new administrators.
Woodbury and Ririe will never step away completely from the company they created, but each feels good about gradually letting go. They have done so in a careful way other company founders might wish to emulate.
"The company couldn't go forward if we waited until we die," Woodbury said, direct as ever. "We built an organization that has a wonderful mission that we all believe in strongly. Jena has worked with us so long that she knows exactly what it is and what should be done."
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Artistic trajectory • The gradual transfer of power included promoting Charlotte Boye-Christensen to artistic director three years ago after bringing her in as associate artistic director in 2002.
"I have full faith in Charlotte and Jena in accomplishing the goals we've all agreed upon," Ririe said. She cited Boye-Christensen's choreographic brilliance and broad connections, and Jena's Woodbury proven ability to increase the company's artistic and financial stature internationally.
For Boye-Christensen, the recent changes at R-W create an opportunity for reflection on the contributions of Ririe and Woodbury.
"[They] really had a vision for creating something unique Salt Lake City that had an impact nationally and internationally," Boye-Christensen said.
The company's financial success and artistic relevance through nearly a half-century is remarkable, she said. She wants to continue that trajectory and push it even further.
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A fresh look • For Jena Woodbury, this is a time for giving Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company a fresh look, which will include rebranding, and planning to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary over a three-year period, from 2013 to 2015.
She's grateful to those who made the company's extended run possible. Woodbury and Ririe first of all, but also the company's longtime funders and arts lovers.
She's reminded of something she learned from French actor and mime Marcel Marceau, for whom she managed American tours from 2000 to 2003.
"He respected every single audience member," she said of Marceau. "He knew they made him who he was."
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