(RE)Imagine 2024-2025 Launches with Free Tickets for St. Louis Youth, World Premieres, and a Dazzling Movers & Shakers Ball

Saint Louis Dance Theatre (STLDT) is thrilled to unveil its highly anticipated 2024-2025 season, (RE)Imagine, marking a bold new era for the company and a celebration of the vibrant spirit of St. Louis. As part of its commitment to accessibility and community engagement, STLDT is proud to launch a pilot community outreach program, in collaboration with the City of St. Louis and the Youth Development Collaborative, a Mayor Jones initiative, by offering complimentary tickets to the season opening (RE)Claim fall concert series to St. Louis City youth. Up to 100 tickets per eligible performance will be distributed to youth-serving programs.

“We must champion world-class art experiences for our youth. These encounters ignite creativity, fuel innovation, and ultimately build a brighter future for our city,” said Lakesha Robinson, Senior Advisor for Children, Youth, and Families for the city of St. Louis.

“Through this pilot program, we aim to inspire St. Louisans to believe that world-class dance is not only possible in our city but accessible to all,” said Erin Warner Prange, Executive Director of STLDT. “Through movement, we tell the diverse stories that shape us—no history lesson or training required. It’s a universal language that builds a more welcoming and vibrant St. Louis for everyone to call home and visit, no matter their experience with concert dance.”

The season kicks off with a spectacular opening weekend of unique performances each night, beginning with the (RE)Claim fall concert from October 24-27 at COCA’s Catherine B. Berges Theatre. The festivities peak at the glamorous Movers and Shakers Ball on Saturday, October 26th, a dazzling evening of dining, dancing, and celebration at 560 Music Center and COCA, including tickets to the evening performance as part of the Ball. The final performance of the weekend on October 27, culminates a triumphant weekend of dance.

(RE)Claim showcases a captivating blend of world premieres, company premieres, and iconic works that illuminate the human experience through movement. Acclaimed guest artist Jamar Roberts, known for his “uncommon force and originality” (Dance Magazine), contributes a world premiere alongside the world premiere, For Love’s Sake, by STLDT Artistic Director Kirven Douthit-Boyd.

The weekend program also features the company premiere of Robert Battle’s poignant duet Unfold, José Limón’s timeless solo Chaconne performed with live music by a St. Louis Symphony Orchestra soloist, and Come…The sun doesn’t wait by Omar Román De Jesús, showcasing the company’s versatility and dedication to preserving dance legacies while also supporting emerging voices. This diverse repertoire, featuring artists from varied backgrounds and generations, underscores STLDT’s ambition to become the most diverse and inclusive dance company in the Midwest.

The remainder of the (RE)Imagine season continues this celebration of inclusive artistry, featuring the Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker in December, the (RE)Build winter concert in February, the Tour de Dance progressive dining and dancing showcase in March, and the (RE)Fine spring concert in May.

“This season is a testament to the transformative power of dance, and our belief that when there is more representation in the room, more art is possible,” said Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Artistic Director. “Audiences will witness the brilliance that emerges when diverse voices and experiences converge on stage. We are committed to providing world-class dance to St. Louis by pushing boundaries, pursuing artistic excellence, and ensuring that more of our community feels represented and inspired by the stories we tell through movement.”

About Saint Louis Dance Theatre 

Saint Louis Dance Theatre is a premier professional dance company blazing new trails by interweaving the Gateway City’s storied legacy into boundary-pushing contemporary performances. Combining world-class artistry with a bold vision, Saint Louis Dance Theatre champions inclusivity, collaboration, and artistic excellence. This fusion of purpose and passion positions Saint Louis Dance Theatre as a beacon for the spirit of St. Louis in every performance.

With a grand vision of elevating St. Louis as a nationally recognized arts destination, Saint Louis Dance Theatre aims to deepen connections locally while showcasing the region’s pioneering creative force on a national scale. For more information, visit stldancetheatre.org.

(RE)Claim Fall Concert Details

• Dates: October 24-27, 2024
• Venue: COCA’s Catherine B. Berges Theatre, 6880 Washington Avenue St. Louis, MO 63131
• Program A (Oct 24-25):
  • For Love’s Sake by Kirven Douthit-Boyd (World Premiere)
  • Chaconne by José Limón (Company Premiere)
  • Come…The sun doesn’t wait by Omar Román de Jesús
  • DANCE by Kirven Douthit-Boyd
• Movers & Shakers Ball Program (Oct 26):
  • For Love’s Sake by Kirven Douthit-Boyd (Excerpt)
  • Unfold by Robert Battle (Company Premiere)
  • World Premiere by Jamar Roberts
• Program B (Oct 27):
  • Come…The sun doesn’t wait by Omar Román de Jesús
  • Unfold by Robert Battle
  • For Love’s Sake by Kirven Douthit-Boyd (World Premiere)
  • World Premiere by Jamar Roberts
• Tickets: Available at https://www.stldancetheatre.org/reclaim-fall-concert

Pilot Community Outreach Program Details: 

• Participating youth-serving programs can receive up to 25 complimentary tickets on a first-come first-served basis for the (Re)claim Fall Concert series performances:
  • Thursday, October 24th – 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, October 25th – 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, October 27th – 2:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, October 27th – 7:30 p.m.
• All performances will take place at COCA’s Catherine B. Berges Theatre, 6880 Washington Avenue St. Louis, MO 63131
• Up to 100 tickets per evening will be available to youth-serving programs within the city of St. Louis.
• To request tickets, please email youthprograms@stldancetheatre.org.
• Tickets are valid only for the specific performance for which they are redeemed and cannot be exchanged or transferred.
• Ticket availability is subject to capacity and cannot be guaranteed.

Movers and Shakers Ball Details:

• Date: October 26, 2024
• Locations: 560 Music Center & COCA
• Time: 5:00 pm – 10:15 pm
• Co-chairs:
  • Rhonda and Carlton Adams
  • Francesca DeStefane
• Host Committee:
  • Shereen Fischer
  • Andrea Slavik
  • Denise Thimes
  • Tyeler Hood

Tickets and Information: https://www.stldancetheatre.org/movers-and-shakers-ball