Discover Contemporary Dance in St. Louis: Inside Saint Louis Dance Theatre's Landmark (RE)Imagine Season
Keenan Fletcher | Photo by Pratt + Kreidich
St. Louis is redefining itself as a vibrant hub for contemporary dance, driven by the groundbreaking performances of Saint Louis Dance Theatre's landmark (RE)Imagine season. As our 2024-2025 season builds toward its much-anticipated spring finale, it's clear that something extraordinary is happening in the heart of America.
St. Louis Emerges as a Contemporary Dance Destination
A landmark grant from the Regional Arts Commission has positioned STLDT at the forefront of St. Louis' cultural renaissance, attracting attention nationwide. Although we perform at various venues, including COCA's Catherine B. Berges Theatre, STLDT is the city's only repertory dance company, with our home studio located in the Grand Center Arts District.
"This season reflects our vision of positioning St. Louis as a nationally recognized arts destination," says Executive Director Erin Warner Prange. "We're creating experiences that put our city in conversation with the broader dance community while celebrating the incredible artistic spirit that thrives here at home."
That conversation reached a historic milestone during the (RE)Build winter concert in February, when we became the first St. Louis dance company to produce legendary choreographer Jiří Kylián's work. The St. Louis premiere of Kylián's Sechs Tänze brought his distinctive blend of classical precision and theatrical whimsy to Gateway City audiences.
"Dance theatre reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously," notes our Artistic Director Kirven Douthit-Boyd. "When we bring humor to the stage, as Kylián does masterfully, we make powerful connections with our audience. That's what makes great art accessible to everyone."
This accessibility has garnered attention beyond the dance world. We recently graced the cover of the St. Louis Visitors Guide, featuring dancer Lily Cong in a striking image that captures both the athleticism and artistry that defines contemporary dance in the Midwest.
Historic Highlights from the (RE)Imagine Season
World Premieres that Captivated Audiences
The "theatre" in Saint Louis Dance Theatre isn't just a name—it's the essence of what makes our contemporary dance performances special. Each performance is crafted not just as a display of physical artistry, but as a narrative that expresses our shared humanity and moves audiences on a profound level.
The (RE)Imagine season opened boldly in October at the (RE)Claim fall concert with powerful world premieres, including Douthit-Boyd's poignant For Love’s Sake and Jamar Roberts' emotional Good Grief.
December saw a jazz-infused Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker collaboration with Jazz St. Louis that thrilled audiences—one attendee called it "Stunning!!!" while another praised how "the dances were beautiful, the choreography was exquisite, and the stagecraft was luscious."
Making History with Jiří Kylián's St. Louis Debut
February's (RE)Build concert made history with Jiří Kylián's playful Sechs Tänze and showcased works by Guggenheim Fellow Tommie-Waheed Evans, Jamar Roberts, José Limón, and Jessica Lang.
Audiences were deeply moved by these contemporary dance performances, with one patron describing it as "Beautiful, moving, captivating." Another shared,
"Every performance evoked a different emotion—sorrow, joy, giddiness—an unexpected but delightful variety. That's what I value most in these types of performances, the power of the arts to make us feel, question, and understand our world more deeply."
Bringing Dance Theatre to the Community
Youth Engagement Initiatives
"We believe that when there is more representation in the room, more art is possible," Douthit-Boyd explains. "We want every member of our community to feel seen, heard, and inspired by the stories we tell through movement."
Our commitment to inclusive storytelling extends beyond the stage. We launched a pilot community outreach program in collaboration with the City of St. Louis and the Youth Development Collaborative, offering complimentary tickets to all our mainstage productions to St. Louis City youth.
These initiatives help make contemporary dance accessible to new audiences and ensure that the next generation of dance enthusiasts can experience world-class performances right here in St. Louis.
Experience the Season Finale: (RE)Fine
In May, the season closes spectacularly with the (RE)Fine spring concert, offering two distinct contemporary dance experiences:
A captivating full-length ballet that reimagines Sherlock Holmes through dance, transforming Doyle's iconic detective stories into a theatrical journey of mystery and intrigue.
Performances:
May 30, 7:30 p.m.
May 31, 2 p.m.
A thrilling collection anchored by a world premiere from Filipino-American choreographer Norbert De La Cruz III, alongside celebrated works by Lang, Battle, Limón, and Kylián.
Performances:
May 31, 7:30 p.m.
June 1, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
"These programs represent the incredible range of contemporary dance," notes Douthit-Boyd. "When audiences experience both evenings, they see not just different dances, but different ways that movement can captivate, challenge, and connect us."
Be part of St. Louis's transformation into a national arts destination. Experience the magic of dance with STLDT at (RE)Fine—where storytelling meets movement to captivate, challenge, and inspire.
Tickets start at $35 and are available now. Join our email list to stay updated on performances and special offers from Saint Louis Dance Theatre.
The Voices of (RE)FINE
Norbert De La Cruz III builds on his collaborative approach experienced in Cloud 9 to create movement that reflects both individual artistry and shared humanity.
Joshua L. Peugh masterfully blends Sherlock Holmes intrigue while reimagining Victorian-era relationships in My Dear Watson.
Jamar Roberts approaches Good Grief as a "radical act of presence," creating work of profound emotional depth
Tommie-Waheed Evans, a Guggenheim Fellow, shares dance's transformative power through Notes on a Farewell: "Dance saved my life. It gave me a direction."
Jessica Lang explores spirituality and loss in The Calling, where a dancer emerges from an expansive white dress in a haunting solo
Robert Battle harnesses sophisticated musicality to address the raw power of relationships in Unfold.
SPECIAL OFFER
Experience both programs with our special "Twice as Nice" offer: after purchasing your first ticket, see the second performance for just $20.10 – a nod to the year our company was founded.
