The latest feature film from Water Drum Films, Life’s Ballet: A Gift to Borrow explores the remarkable life and legacy of Jo Rowan, a pioneering dance educator who built a world-class university program and inspired countless students through her passion and discipline. Blending vérité-style 16mm footage, intimate interviews, and archival material, the film captures Rowan’s enduring impact as both an artist and a mentor.

More than a biography, it is a meditation on artistry, purpose, and the delicate balance between creating, teaching, and letting go. Co-directed with Wendy Garrett and produced in partnership with 5th Position, the film stands as a testament to a life lived in motion.