BrockusRED (formerly Brockus Project Dance Company) will celebrate its 35th anniversary this weekend with the premiere of Deborah Brockus’s “Every Scrap of Grace” at the Brockus Project Studios August 7 – 9, 2026. In a press release, Brockus described her new work as “”A full evening work examining humanity When everything falls away, you are stripped to the core of who you are A longing for what you can never reach left to find hope and joy in small scraps the impact we have upon each other Community, connections, kindness Finding joy in the things that matter Realizing that you are a part of all the cycles of creation and re-creation.”
BrockusRED – Julienne Mackey, Denali Huff, Hannah Joo, Daurin Tavares, Mara Hancock (Center) in TREE – Photo by Denise Leitner
One can not label Deborah Brockus into one category. She is first and foremost a dancer, but Brockus never stopped there. She is a choreographer, an educator, an entrepreneur, a director, a curator, and a producer. And, Brockus has definitely done more than anyone to highlight, nurture and produce Dance in Los Angeles. In 2005, Los Angeles Times dance writer Lewis Segal described Brockus as ‘the single most important person in Southland dance” an “impresario”, ‘ the mother superior of LA dance” and ”tireless.” All of which are true.
Leah Hammel Moises Josue, Michel Luciana Johnson in “The Great Beyond” by Deborah Brockus – Photo by Paul Antico
Brockus Project Dance Company was founded in 1991 and rebranded BrockusRED in 2013. Brockus’s choreographic style is almost as diverse as she is, incorporating modern dance, contemporary dance, ballet and jazz. Before branching out on her own, Brockus performed with the Lula Washington Dance Theatre, so there may be a touch of Afro-modern in the mix as well.
BrockusRED – (L-R) Arturo Gonzales and Bryan Burns in Jazz Club – Photo by Sal Aridi Photography.
The dance festivals and showcases that Brockus has produced include the Los Angeles Dance Festival, Spectrum, New Perspectives (high school invitational), Split (mixing local and out of state companies), Caught Between (multi-media) and Why We Dance Series (dialogue between artists and audiences). These do not include the numerous choreography showcases Brockus has curated and produced over the years at Brockus Project Studios.
Los Angeles Dance Festival – Photo by Denise Leitner
Brockus was the founding director of Redlands based Brockus Conservatory of Dance and Musical Theater. She is the former Chair of the Dance Department at Idyllwild Arts Academy, former chair of dance at the California Conservatory of the Arts, former head of the Dance division of LAUSD’s Saturday’s Gifted and Talented Conservatory.
BrockusRED in “Dune” choreography by Deborah Brockus – Photo by Denise Leitner
Here are some of the dancers who have performed with Brockus Project Dance Company or BrockusRED over the years. Raymond Ejiofor, Gina Lewis, Isaac Huerta, Laura Ann Smyth, Jason Pollard, Will Clayton, Micaela DuPauli, Rachelle Donofrio, Anne Lee Taylor, Alondra Leyea, James McQueen, Chris Jones, Brance Souza, Luis Martinez, Holly Lenard, Adam Moss, Brian Burns, Julienne Mackey, Hannah Joo, Stephanie Mizrahi, Raven Smith, Maya Hancock, Denali Huff, Rebecca Lee, Joyln Rea, Arturo Gonzalez, and Ann Lee Rohovec.
“Deborah Brockus and BrockusRED dance company has been a significant arts and culture hub for Los Angeles based dancers and audience members,” said Rebecca Lee. “Deborah Brockus has continuously provided accessible class and performance space as well as building meaningful community amongst generations of dancers. Deborah’s commitment to uplift dancers in not only their craft, but their life journey is one that has touched so many peoples lives including my own.”
Denali Huff had this to say about working with Brockus, ““Working with Deborah has shown me how meaningful it is to have a place where dancers can continue to grow, take risks, and feel part of a community. Through BrockusRED, she has created opportunities for generations of Los Angeles artists to train, perform, collaborate, and keep developing their artistic voices. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of this community and for the trust, encouragement, and opportunities Deborah has given me as an artist.”
LADF 2025 – BrockusRED in “Black Ice” by Deborah Brockus – Photo by Denise Leitner.
Brockus’ new work “Every Scrap of Grace” will feature a cast of 20 dancers so one can imagine that there will be former and current company members involved in the production.
BrockusRED – Deborah Brockus center – Photo by Denise Leitner.
“For 35 years, Brockus Project Dance Company has transformed lives through the power of dance, bringing meaningful performances, education, and artistic opportunities to communities across Los Angeles and beyond.” – press release
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WHAT: “Every Scrap of Grace” – A celebration of the 35th anniversary of BrockusRED.
WHEN: Friday – Saturday, August 7 and 8 at 8:00 pm, Sunday, August 9 at 6:30 pm (General Seating)
WHERE: BPStudios, 618 B Moulton Avenue, LA, CA. 90031 – located in the Brewery Arts Complex in Lincoln Heights. 1 mile east of Union Station – Free street parking on Moulton Avenue.
TICKETS: $20 or 2 for $35 cash at door or Zelle or Venmo – When purchasing your ticket please note the date you are coming, tickets will be held at the door.
Zelle 562-412-7429 – Venmo@Brockusprojectstudios
To learn more about BrockusRED, please visit their website.
For more information about BPStudios, please visit their website.
Written by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: BrockusRED – Photo by Denise Leitner.
