Feature Documentary Honors Renowned Dance Educator and Her Enduring, Poignant Legacy at Oklahoma City University; with Encore Screening on June 15
Oklahoma City (May 28, 2025) - Life’s Ballet: A Gift to Borrow, a feature-length documentary examining the life and legacy of Jo Rowan, the renowned dance educator who created and led the world-class Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment at Oklahoma City University for 42 years, will have its world premiere on Friday, June 13 at 5:15 p.m., at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art during the 25th annual deadCenter Film Festival. The celebrated dance educator is available for interviews leading up to the screening, which will encore at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 15 at Harkins Theatre Bricktown on the final day of the festival.
Rowan retired in 2022, facing her own curtain call after decades of inspiring generations of performers, including Kristin Chenoweth and the film’s co-director and producer, Wendy Garrett. Through archival footage, personal interviews, and vérité-style moments in her home, the film presents a nuanced portrait of a teacher navigating the emotional transition into retirement.
The film brings Garrett back to the local film festival alongside colleague, and the film’s co-director and producer, Christopher Hunt, five years after the premiere of their first project together, EDDIE, which chronicled the life of Hall of Fame basketball coach Eddie Sutton and premiered on ESPN to critical acclaim in 2020.
"Jo shaped generations of dancers, who were artists and thinkers,” Garrett said. “She demanded your best and gave you the tools to find it. Christopher and I carried that same spirit into co-directing Life’s Ballet and felt a deep responsibility to honor Jo’s legacy with care, beauty and honesty. We knew this wasn’t just about capturing her story, it was about honoring the depth of her influence and the lives she transformed through her fierce love and discipline. Christopher’s cinematography brought grace to the way we captured her. And to premiere this film at deadCenter, where Oklahoma stories are truly celebrated, it’s a homecoming we’re proud of.”
As Jo faces life beyond the studio, the film explores her enduring influence and the deep connection between educators and the lives they transform, offering a poignant reflection on purpose, mentorship, and the next chapter of life.
“Jo’s story is personal, but it carries something universal,” said Hunt. “This film is a reminder of how powerful a great teacher can be, not just in the classroom or on the stage, but in shaping who we become. From start to finish, this project invited us to be as artful and intentional as possible, and I hope audiences are as moved by watching it as we were making it. If people walk away thinking about the mentors in their own lives, we’ve done our job.”
Tickets for individual screenings can be purchased for $10 up to 20 minutes before the start time, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis after festival passholder admittance. Festival pass and individual ticket details can be found here.