Guest Choreographer Programs

Dallas Black Alum setting his work on DDT.
Kjara Staric Wurst

Guest Choreographer

Dissonance Dance Theatre’s contemporary voice feeds on diversity. We look for choreographers who build works from a solid classical ballet core, and through a contemporary dance style. It is our view that choreographers who work with the company see their works as contributions to a new concert dance language that reflects the 21st Century.

We provide each guest choreographer with a quality recording of the staged work that includes an a possible interview with the choreographer. At this time, Dissonance provides limited commissions or honorariums for choreographic works rendered.

Interested choreographers should provide a 5-minute DVD reel demonstrating choreographic range, a headshot, resume, bio.

Images: (Top to Bottom) Dallas Black alumnus Jamie Thompson rehearsing his work Journey. Kjara Staric Wurst directing dancers in her work Be Human.

New Voices of Dance

Founded in the Summer of 2016 by Shawn Short, New Voices of Dance (NVD) is a new program that promotes the development of choreographers dedicated to contemporary ballet and modern choreography by providing opportunities to develop their talents.

NVD’s goal is to increase the number of working choreographers, that are currently emerging (not aspiring) choreographers working in their cities of artistic employment.

Choreographers travel fare, receive an honorarium for their work, along with an HD quality MP4 of their produced work for their professional reels. Choreographers currently set their work on Dissonance Dance Theatre (DDT). Choreographers are directed and guided by DDT’s Founder/Principal Choreographer Shawn Short.

Selected choreographers must be emerging choreographers – not aspiring. Selectees cannot have choreographic experience with a major dance, theatre or production company.

Images: (L to R) Philadelphia choreographer Ryan Tuerk working on his work 13th Hour. NYC choreographer Maleek Washington in the studio. DDT dancers Christine Motta and Phillip Fobbs. Philadelphia choreographer Kareem B. Goodwin teaching class before his rehearsal.