Boston — Kaplan Construction, a women business enterprise (WBE) general contractor and construction management firm serving Greater Boston, has completed the fit-out of a new dance studio for Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE), a Haitian folkloric and contemporary-infused dance organization, in Roxbury, Massachusetts.
The 3,000-square-foot JAE Dance Center is located on the ground floor of 2147 Washington Street, a six-story mixed-use development constructed by Kaplan in 2025. Supported by a broad coalition of public and private funders, including the Barr Foundation, the City of Boston, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Cultural Facilities Fund, the new studio establishes a permanent home for JAE as it expands its artistic and community programming in Boston.
The studio includes a large open dance space outfitted with acoustical wall and ceiling panels, a sprung dance floor, mirror wall, and a black box theatrical curtain system with a 40-foot projection surface. A theatrical ceiling grid allows for future lighting and audiovisual installations. Additional spaces include an entry vestibule, staff office, storage areas, and a four-stall bathroom with a shower.
Given the studio’s location beneath residential units, acoustical performance was a key design and construction priority. Kaplan worked closely with the project’s design team to develop a ceiling assembly engineered to achieve a high sound transmission class (STC) rating, minimizing noise transfer during classes and rehearsals. Multiple in-progress reviews were conducted to ensure precise execution of acoustical and structural details.
“Starting from the earliest planning conversations, Kaplan was an engaged and responsive partner,” said Dan Koff, project manager at Jean Appolon Expressions. “Their attention to the technical details that mattered most has resulted in a studio that supports our current programs while giving us the flexibility to grow and evolve.”
Situated in the heart of Nubian Square, the JAE Dance Center is intended to serve as a cultural anchor for the Roxbury neighborhood, hosting dance classes, exhibitions, and community art events. The project was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on January 27, featuring remarks from JAE leadership, Boston City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune, and regional cultural leaders, along with live drumming and performances by JAE artists.
Project team members included Jean Appolon Expressions as client, DREAM Collaborative as architect, Kaplan Construction as general contractor, RSE Associates as structural engineer, Norian Siani Engineering as MEP/FP engineer, Meridian Associates, Inc. as civil engineer, and Cavanaugh Tocci as audiovisual and acoustics engineer.
