Rubans Rouges Dance

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About Rubans Rouges Dance Company

Rubans Rouges (roo ‘bon rooj), French for Red Ribbons founded in 2009 by dancer and choreographer: Noelle Rose Andressen. READ BELOW about how the company was named.
Noelle merged her two artistic passions: dance & film on stage and screen with her contemporary modern dance company to develop a breakthrough piece: “Shattered Innocence (Red Ribbons)”. From there she has developed dance performance pieces with passion and theatrical artistry that explore the human condition through narrative story lines.

The spirit of Rubans Rouges can be seen in the lavish use of provocative lighting schemes, costume design and the artistic applications of scenery and props. The desire is to have dance pieces of high artistic value, and also be entirely accessible and enjoyable to the audience.

Mission: To have each audience member connect on several different levels to these creations; the mind to understand the intent, the heart to feel the depths of the emotional content, and the soul to be ennobled to new enriching heights of creativity. Highly supportive of helping other artists and reciprocating to further share performance venues in a non-competitive atmosphere that cultivates community and camaraderie internationally. Based in NYC, LA, and Europe.

Real Life Healing Experiences

Real Life Healing Experiences
Copyright 2017 – Written by Noelle Rose Andressen

We incorporate self help with performing arts to give audiences real life healing experiences. I’m Jay and I am writing Miss Andressen’s words on her behalf. If you need more information please let us know. Hope this helps:

“I have been an author and performer for the self help field with our company for ten years. We are not only a performing arts company as we take it to a new level of experience and healing through our outreaches and performances.

Our company creates dance performances about many subjects that our society manages: cancer, women’s rights & empowerment, addictions, life struggles, abuse, etc. These types of our performances are community outreaches called: DanceWarrior. We create a fully immersive and experiential program that helps others help themselves while being entertained.

After the show we have meet and greet sessions where the audience can give feedback and exchange ideas. Most often what occurs: people open up for the first time that they too have been suffering something similar to what we danced about. We then point them in a direction to get further help. It’s like we opened the door for them to self healing. They often buy my self help books that talk deeper and further about my personal experiences.”

Molding Business Structure

Molding Business Structure
Copyright 2017 – Written by Noelle Rose Andressen

We have an expert team on internships and our programs. While we are performing arts in nature, we still have to follow a solid business structure to maintain professionalism and respect.

To give you some brief tips:

1. Molding. We look for ambitious yet mold-able candidates. It is challenging to have a potential intern be successful in our program(s) if they do not have the willingness to learn. We advise new incoming to retain what they may have learned elsewhere but be receptive to our way of processing. We have a code of conduct that they must abide by that spells out what we expect of them.

2. Leveling Up. We developed several levels of internships that are bi-coastal. We realize that people come to us with prior knowledge and some with very little. For interns to get the most out of their program, we have them take a survey. This survey assists us with level placement.

3. Diversity. This is a must. Our programs successes are based on many things, diversity is key. In the climate of promoting not only equality, we realize that people are not cookie cutter humans. We promote acceptance and learning about one another’s backgrounds. Monthly, we facilitate a full company get together which give our employees, staff, volunteers, and interns an opportunity to share their diversity in the form of art & culture.

Early On-set Glaucoma

Early On-set Glaucoma
Copyright 2017 – Written by Noelle Rose Andressen

“My name is Noelle Rose Andressen. I am a professional contemporary ballet dancer for Rubans Rouges Dance. I have had many things to overcome in my life: breast cancer, sexual child abuse, and then something new presented itself that would threaten my ability to dance.

About 3.5 years ago, I started noticing that my vision was becoming more blurry than usual. I had thought it was due to lack of sleep or eye strain and brushed it aside. However, one night during a performance, I realized it was much more than that.

My dance partner and I often perform a beautiful and technically challenging duet called: “Couer de Verre” – a section from “Red Ribbons”. It incorporates intricate choreography with passionate drama. One risky move that is a trademark of our company is called the “T-Split.” It is a place in the dance where we separate across the stage, I run and leap upwards and he catches me in his arms as I come down and precariously balance on his hips. We then lean back and split apart forming the shape of a “T”.

This night when we got to this portion of the dance, I noticed that my vision grew limited. It was like a dark tunnel, I could not see peripherally. I blinked my eyes and strained to see where my partner was. It was so very dark and the stage lights created a surreal double-vision like glow. I counted my steps and ran to where I believed he was but I had over traveled and as I leaped into the air our bodies slammed into each other as I went upwards. I trusted he would be there to catch me on my way down. He caught me, barely as my satin dress slipped on his costume. We executed the rest of the movement and I balanced best I could and we leaned back. I knew I had missed our signature move. As we finished the dance and took our bows, I my heart sank. Even though the audience was so supportive and applauded louder than I ever heard, I knew that something wrong had occurred and it was my fault.

After the performance I went backstage. I sunk into the wall and wanted to disappear. I had let my partner and fans down. I also disappointed myself. I never missed this part in the dance. We were always flawless. I couldn’t figure out what had happened to my vision. My partner approached me and said, “Our costumes slipped. I don’t think anyone else noticed.” I knew he was being gracious. He kissed my forehead and went in the dressing room.

When I got home, I had told my husband what happened. He thought I had had an occipital migraine. I had them every once in a while. I told him that I didn’t think so but he encouraged me not to worry but did take me to the doctor.

After several examinations and tests, the words from my doctor: “You’re legally blind with early on-set glaucoma.” stunned me. I had been near sighted for many years, but this–this was a nightmare. On our way home I felt faint, in part due to a side-effect from the eye drops and also disbelief. “How can this be?” I had already gone through so much in life and now this. My eyesight grew worse over time so I took some time off from performing as I learned how to adjust to not seeing as well as I could and how to do ever day regular things. There were several issues with this diagnosis: my reactions/side-effects to medications and the risk of the disease if left untreated. I needed time to think about all things and needed to figure out a effective plan.

My first day back in the studio for rehearsal proved to be more challenging. I had a huge blow to my self-esteem after a less than perfect performance and I didn’t know if I’d be able to continue. I let the music: “ROSEWOOD” scored by my husband, play for a few minutes. I hoped that his emotional sound tapestry would enrapture my heart enough to overcome my fear of failure. I heard my favorite part in his music where it reached a crescendo and trickled into softness then rise with dedicated passion. I moved my arms as I closed my eyes and thought, “Is this what lays in my future…dancing to music without ever again seeing it?”

Just as a tear threatened to fall, I mustered up inner strength. “No!” I was determined to beat this somehow. My nick name was: Dance Warrior for a reason. I had earned this title because I had overcome many things that were put before me to challenge me and I used these things to make me stronger and better. With that, I danced ferociously and fervently. I wasn’t going to let this overwhelm me and win.

My partner and I got another chance to dance our infamous duet again. This time I spoke to the technical director before we staged our dance and asked if they could accommodate my disability. I was most concerned about falling off the stage so we worked out a plan to have lights set on stage in such a way that would alert me of where the edge was. I also worked a little with my partner and I learned how to angle my head a specific way so that I would be able to see him when we performed our “T-Split”. I wasn’t about to let it get messed up again.

While being legally blind is considered a disability, I see it as a super-power. It allowed me to do things that most people cannot do. It showed me that I am strong and this too can be overcome. I am a “Dance Warrior”, I had finally proved it to myself. My strength in turn encouraged others with disabilities and now my dance company has started a “Dance Warrior” program that does many things to help encourage others, one of which is helping those with disabilities. We are showing others that dance is for everybody.

I am currently working on other solutions and medical treatments for my eyesight. I am ultimately hoping for a cure for others and myself.”

My Name is

My Name is
Copyright 2017 – Written by Noelle Rose Andressen

“My name is Noelle Rose Andressen. I am a legally blind, contemporary ballet dancer with early on-set glaucoma. While I have overcome many trials including breast cancer, I found the most challenging to overcome was my past: being sexually molested as a child. (43)

To help myself and others heal, in 2008 I began creating the “Red Ribbons” dances that depicted my story of what I suffered. It felt uncomfortable to be raw, real, and uncensored in presenting my truth but I had to be honest with myself and not sugar coat the facts. (50)

I risked my reputation on many levels as sometimes people shun or falsely shame sexual abuse victims. I decided to show courage and change how sex abuse victims were seen and performed my dances to show that there is no shame on the victim, it is the abuser that should bare the shame. (53)

In 2009, I performed on many stages the story and how I overcame. One night after I’d performed, a woman cried in my arms. She thanked me for having the fortitude to say in dance what she could never say with words. Her honesty caused me to persevere. (48)

Over the years many have thanked me for sharing my dances with an audience. I realized I was making a difference in other’s lives and I grew in confidence. I didn’t feel shame about what had happened to me any longer. (41)

This Rose is no longer silent. I have bloomed. Since I persevered, I have received respect for my hard work all these years. My cry for children and women to be treated right is no longer silent. Whatever it is you desire to do, I advise others to not remain silent so they can bloom too.”

Do Less Days

Do Less Days
Copyright 2017 – Written by Noelle Rose Andressen

Yes I can relate, as I tend to be an ambitious and very focused worker. I had to slow down and once a week I have my Do Less Days. After surviving breast cancer I needed to find a way to employ self care methods. At first it was challenging because I like to keep busy but I knew I had to balance productivity and longevity. My life expectancy because of the past cancer depends on much self-care and peacefulness. One my Do Less Days I don’t work on my company Rubans Rouges Dance at all. Instead I practice yoga, pranayama (breathing), coloring and have calming music in the background. I avoid all technology and social media and I eat all fresh foods. I realized that after surviving cancer, I needed to make serious life changes, I want to be a strong example for my son and be around for him during his growth. I think as women since we are able to do and be many things, we forget that we are important too.

Business Decisions

Business Decisions
Copyright 2017 – Written by Noelle Rose Andressen

While there may never be absolute perfect times to make the transition quitting your day job, you will help enable your success by having 6 months to a year’s worth of of your income from your job saved in a separate bank account. You can then withdraw from this account when necessary to keep your income from experiencing a sudden drop. This will help lessen the financial strain until your entrepreneurial venture begins to bring in what you were making at your desk job.

When I was transitioning from my administrative job to my own business, Rubans Rouges Dance, I had concerns about how long it would take for it to become self sustaining. When planning this transition with my husband, he and I both decided that saving 6 months of savings would be appropriate for our situation and that I would also be teaching dance classes part time to help supplement our income. Teaching was in a field that I loved and was very related to my business as well. This way if my business didn’t take off as quickly as I desired, I could always fall back on teaching with more hours and not have to do a desk job.

Since my business is a creative venture and a business not based on consumer “need” but “want”, I had to learn how to market it properly. I do believe businesses based on things consumers need is a little less challenging as far as marketing goes. What worked for me was researching the field of the arts and understanding what I wanted to do as a goal. I wanted to be able to reach an audience so through our performances we were able to touch people’s hearts and our audience grew.

#1 Don’t be afraid.

It kept me from being timid and created a security in me to know that I didn’t have to second guess myself.

#2 Wait for the right timing – This will never come

There is never a right time that will come along, you have to actively create it and make it happen. We can’t possibly guarantee the future but we can make wise decisions to help us lead to success. If I would’ve listened to the “wait” advice, I’d still be waiting.

The greatest misconception about the timing is that it’ll be a smooth transition. That you’ll have immense bliss and freedom from the 9-5 grind. Having your own business often entails longer hours and there’s more dedication required. This can make for a challenging transition and could cause tension in the home. Having your own business is a lot of work and as long as you’re prepared for the reality of that, you can make your transition happen.

The Room

“The Room” has always fascinated us because in all senses of the dramatic structures that we’ve been taught and we ourselves utilize in narrative storytelling, it should not work. However, these very elements in this film are what endear us to it, from the mundane and captivating chaotic drive of the dialogue to the brilliant breaks in character and narrative devices, it depicts a reflection in what seems relatable real life, perhaps this is exactly what the filmmaker was attempting to speak on.”

Noelle Andressen-Kale & Kristopher Kale

Husband & Wife Emmy nominated writer-producer team; producers of “Awakenings & Beginnings Dance Festiv

Adjustments

I’m a professional dancer-choreographer. I am legally blind due to glaucoma at an early age. I still have some sight but it’s very challenging but I an thriving and successful in my career path. I have been able to make adjustments like right now I have an assistant who helps me during the day and my husband at night. They both read my emails and type for me or I use the dictation app. For my dancing, I have wonderful tech people around me and when I perform the always make sure I have foot lights to line the edge of the stage so I don’t fall off the edge. The side lights keep me from going to far in the wings. I have a duet partner that’s been very helpful and understanding. He and I made some adjustments and I use counting to help me know where he is.

These are just some of the small things I’ve done to help me function and adapt. I want to be an encouragement and example for others so they don’t give up mo matter what comes their way.

Healing and Victory

I am a professional dancer and a survivor of sexual abuse. I was abused by my grandfather when I was a young child. I also had sexual harassment incidents (one a rape when I was a teen).

Here are some steps I took to healing and victory:

1. Acknowledge & Accept: I had to acknowledge that I was abused sexually by my grandfather. I also had to accept the other incidents, and stop blinding myself with denial. It was the truth and I had to accept it.

2. Wise Counsel: I went to a counselor and a support group that helped me. I was able to stop being angry at myself and at the abusers.

3. Speak Up & Stand Up: I had to consciously decide to stand up and stand strong. I turned what happened to me into a triumph by writing about it in my Dance Warrior book & video series.

4. Help Others: I now help others who suffered the same thing by dancing a dance called “Red Ribbons” and speaking publicly about it through my community outreach: Red Ribbons outReach. Knowing that I’m helping others further heals me.

Holiday Hope

Our dance company Rubans Rouges Dance (French for red ribbons) focuses on helping people turn their tragedies into triumphs via dance and the messages in the dances. We give them Hope. Many of the subjects and themes we present: overcoming sexual abuse, cancer awareness and hope of survival, joy, acceptance and many other pertinent subjects to our time.

The heart beat of the company is Noelle Rose Andressen who is the founder and creator. Most of our pieces are derived from her tragedies and how she turned them into triumphs. I remember one time after her dance performance of “Red Ribbons” (her company is named after this dance piece that talks about her abuse she survived), a woman fell into her arms crying with gratitude. The woman said Noelle set her heart free and took the first step in recovering from her abuse because of Noelle’s dance.

During the holiday season especially we perform beautiful dances through our outreach as a form of our charity giving. We do not make any money for ourselves, we just offer the gift of Hope through dance for free performances during this time of year. Our outreach within the company is called: Red Ribbons outReach. We also hand out red ribbons at the end of each performance that encourages others to not lose hope. It’s very symbolic.