We’re looking forward to introducing you to Rebekah Brown. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Rebekah, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I’m chasing my dreams, both big and small – following the path as God directs, creating meaningful work, growing as a person, and leaving a legacy through dance. I’m also striving for a life filled with joy, connection, and purpose.
If I stopped, life would definitely lose some of its spark; the energy, creativity, and bonds I build through dance would fade. Moving toward these things keeps me inspired, keeps me creating, and keeps those around me inspired too.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Rebekah Brown, and I’m the founder and director of H2O Dance Company. I started H2O in 2015 as a passion project outside of my normal work life, and over the last ten years it has grown into a beautiful space where dancers can come together, create, and share meaningful work with our community.
This October we’ll celebrate our 10th anniversary season with a performance called Resonance. It’s both a look back and a step forward: a curated collection of audience (and dancer!) favorites and defining works from the past decade, alongside four new premieres.
Something that makes H2O special is the community it creates. Many of the dancers balance full-time jobs outside of dance, but this company gives them a space to return to their artistry, connect with one another, and be part of something bigger. Over the years, the company has become like a family. Some dancers have been with me since the beginning, while others have come and gone; but the heart of the company has always stayed the same.
I’m constantly inspired by music, visual art, and especially by my dancers themselves. H2O has become the space where all of those ideas come to life!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
When I was young, I was often told I was “bossy.” I didn’t love that word – it made me feel like I should tone myself down, or that being curious or having answers and solutions wasn’t something to be proud of. The truth is, I just really liked asking questions and learning, and always had an opinion about how to get things done.
What I’ve come to realize over the years is that what people called “bossy” was actually the beginning of leadership skills. That natural curiosity, drive to organize, and desire to guide others has become one of my strengths. With H2O, I have a place where those qualities are celebrated. I get to be in charge in a way that brings people together, and the dancers value the way my brain works and all my quirks. They enjoy the process of taking the visions and patterns in my head and transforming those ideas into movement and choreography.
It’s been freeing to recognize that what once felt like a flaw was actually part of who I’m meant to be. Turns out, it was just me practicing for the role I have now.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes. In preparation for this 10th anniversary show, I thought about stepping back. Normally I take a year or two between shows, doing smaller projects to keep the dream alive, but after producing full-length shows in 2022, 2023, and 2024, I felt drained. Producing a show is no joke – especially since I handle everything myself: planning, schedules, choreography, costumes, lighting, funding, marketing… you name it. Some days it felt like too much, and I even considered not doing the anniversary show at all.
What kept me going? The dancers. I realized I needed the community and the energy of being in the studio with them just as much as they needed a space to create and connect. Knowing they looked forward to our time together gave me the push I needed, and in time, celebrating 10 years of H2O felt like a milestone worth honoring – not just for me, but for everyone who’s been part of the journey.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think one of the biggest lies the dance world – and really, the arts world in general – tells itself is that there’s a “right way” or a “wrong way” to do things. That includes how you run a company, how you build your career, or even how your creative path should look. The truth is, every person’s artistic journey is different, and it’s okay if yours doesn’t mirror anyone else’s.
I’ve learned that if you truly believe in something, that belief is there for a reason. It’s part of who you are, so don’t shy away from it! From my experience with H2O, the people who follow you will believe in it too. The community we build, and the trust and excitement we share in the studio comes from mutual belief in the work and in one another. Surrounding yourself with people who support your vision isn’t just nice, it’s essential. That’s how a passion project becomes something bigger than yourself, and how it can survive the hard, exhausting, incredible years.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember how it felt to be part of H2O. I hope they talk about rehearsals full of laughter and hard work, about the friendships they formed in the studio, and about feeling both encouraged and challenged. I want them to remember feeling at home, discovering opportunities they didn’t know existed, and reviving dreams they thought were dormant. More than anything, I hope they felt seen, inspired, and part of a community that lifted each other up through movement and creativity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.h2odance.com
- Instagram: @h2odance
- Youtube: @rebekahjbrown Resonance: Celebrating 10 Years of H2O
October 24-26 at the Light Box Theater
h2o.ticketleap.com/resonance
Image Credits
Doug McMinimy, Mei Lu, Peggy Fischbeck
