Photo courtesy of Rosen JCC
LESS THAN TWO YEARS AFTER LAUNCHING ITS ARTS AT THE J INITIATIVE, the Rosen JCC is entering its 2026–2027 season with a clear purpose: to establish itself as one of Central Florida’s most welcoming cultural gathering places by offering performances that celebrate artistic excellence while fostering community connections.
What began in 2025 as a new arts initiative has quickly evolved into a growing destination for audiences seeking affordable, high-quality programming in Southwest Orlando. According to Ofira Bondorowsky, the enthusiastic response from the community has reinforced the Rosen JCC’s belief that there is room for a performing arts series that emphasizes accessibility, cultural exploration and shared experiences alongside artistic achievement.
“The Rosen JCC launched Arts at the J in 2025 and quickly discovered a demand for diverse, affordable, high-quality arts programming in Southwest Orlando,” Bondorowsky said. “The 2026–2027 season builds on that momentum with a vision of using the arts as a bridge, bringing people together across cultures, generations and experiences.”
Bondorowsky said the carefully curated lineup is intended to celebrate “a wide range of artistic traditions, from music and dance to theater and cultural programming,” with every event offering audiences an opportunity to experience something unfamiliar while discovering common ground with fellow attendees.
“Each performance is designed to inspire curiosity, broaden perspectives, and create shared experiences,” Bondorowsky said. “Through Arts at the J, we are creating a welcoming destination where the community can gather, experience exceptional performances and celebrate the power of the arts.”
That emphasis on accessibility distinguishes the series within Orlando’s increasingly robust arts landscape. While many organizations focus primarily on presenting world-class performances, Arts at the J seeks to remove barriers that sometimes discourage audiences from exploring unfamiliar art forms. Affordability, diverse programming and an intentionally welcoming atmosphere all work together to encourage curiosity rather than intimidation.
The result is a season that invites audiences to travel across continents and cultures without leaving Orlando.
Opera Orlando. Photo by Ashleigh Ann Gardner.
Among the programming are performances spanning ballet, jazz and opera, alongside celebrations of South Pacific traditions, the fiery rhythms of flamenco and the moving theatrical production I Never Saw Another Butterfly. Together, the lineup demonstrates a commitment to showcasing artistic traditions that reflect both global cultures and deeply personal human stories.
For Bondorowsky, however, presenting a diverse lineup is only part of the mission.
The Rosen JCC is also reimagining what audiences can expect from a performing arts series by expanding beyond the traditional model of purchasing a ticket, watching a performance and heading home.
“This season, Arts at the J is focused on expanding what a performing arts series can be,” Bondorowsky said. “Rather than simply presenting performances, we are curating experiences that encourage participation, conversation, and cultural discovery.”
That philosophy is influencing how the organization develops its programming and partnerships.
Rather than working independently, Arts at the J is deepening relationships with arts organizations throughout Central Florida, bringing together both established institutions and emerging companies. Those collaborations introduce audiences to new artists and creative voices while allowing local arts organizations to reach broader and more diverse audiences.
Bondorowsky believes those partnerships strengthen not only the Rosen JCC but the region’s cultural ecosystem as a whole.
“We are deepening collaborations with arts organizations across Central Florida, both established institutions and emerging companies, to bring new voices, artistic perspectives, and creative programming to our community,” she said. At the Rosen JCC, those collaborations also reinforce the organization’s belief that art serves as a universal language capable of connecting people with different backgrounds and experiences.
That sense of discovery remains central to the season’s identity.
Whether audiences are attending a ballet performance, experiencing opera for the first time, immersing themselves in South Pacific traditions or reflecting on the poignant historical themes explored in I Never Saw Another Butterfly, each event has been selected to encourage exploration rather than familiarity.
Bondorowsky said the organization intentionally pairs artistic excellence with accessibility so audiences feel comfortable venturing outside their usual preferences.
“We are intentional about pairing artistic excellence with accessibility, inviting audiences to discover performances, cultures, and artistic expressions they may not otherwise experience,” Bondorowsky said. That commitment extends beyond artistic programming into the overall visitor experience. Arts at the J aims to foster conversations before and after performances, encouraging attendees to engage with one another and with the cultural traditions represented on stage. As Orlando’s population continues to diversify, Bondorowsky sees the arts playing an increasingly important role in helping residents better understand one another through shared experiences.
Ultimately, she hopes Arts at the J becomes known not simply as another venue on the region’s cultural calendar but as a place where curiosity is rewarded and community is strengthened through creativity. “Our goal is for Arts at the J to continue evolving as a place of discovery where people are inspired to explore something new, engage with different perspectives, and develop a deeper appreciation for the arts,” Bondorowsky said.
That aspiration positions the Rosen JCC’s 2026–2027 season as more than a collection of performances. It represents an ongoing investment in cultural exchange, artistic accessibility and community building—one performance, one conversation and one shared experience at a time.
As Arts at the J continues to establish its identity, its rapid growth suggests Southwest Orlando has embraced the concept of a performing arts series where exceptional programming and meaningful human connection share the spotlight equally. For audiences seeking performances that entertain while encouraging exploration and understanding, the Rosen JCC’s newest season offers an invitation to discover not only new art forms, but perhaps new perspectives as well.