Three months after taking the job, Dance Complex head quits

Less than three months after becoming executive director of the Dance Complex in Cambridge, Billie Jo Joy is leaving. Wednesday, she abruptly submitted a letter of resignation, and Friday sent an e-mail to the dance community. “I went there to do my best to offer my skills to make positive change,” she wrote. “I was not able to garner the support I needed, so I decided to leave and get on with my life. I am excited about the other opportunities awaiting me now. I wish everyone well.” In August, Joy succeeded founder Rozann Kraus, who had led the complex for more than 20 years. Friday, Kraus said there had been a lack of clarity in defining Joy’s position. “I think she was disappointed her role couldn’t be more expansive and she couldn’t call the shots on her own without board approval,” Kraus said. “She came in very clear and excited and felt that she would have free rein in terms of the decisions she could make about the direction of the complex. She thought the board would be fully supportive of what she wanted to do instead of taking her vision under consideration and working on it. I think we’re all really sorry that it didn’t work.” Kraus and the rest of the five-member board will meet this weekend to appoint an interim director and regroup for another search. “This time with more clarity,” Kraus added. “We’ve learned from our mistakes.”