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.
Resident Choreographer
Investing in Artistic Excellence. Developing New Voices in Black Dance.
Dissonance Dance Theatre’s Resident Choreographer Program provides sustained support for emerging and established dance artists — fostering creative development, expanding professional reach, and strengthening the company’s artistic vision within Washington, DC’s cultural landscape.
The program is grounded in the belief that consistent, long-term investment in a choreographic artist produces transformative results — not only for the artist, but for the dancers, students, and communities that benefit from their work.
What the Program Provides
Resident choreographers work annually and directly with DDT’s professional company members to develop innovative contemporary ballet works. Through this program, artists receive:
- – Studio space at the Atlas Performing Arts Center
- – Direct access to DDT’s professional company dancers
- – Technical and production support
- – Performance opportunities as part of DDT’s main stage season
- – Marketing and documentation of all created works
- – Sustained mentorship from DDT’s Founding Director, Shawn Short
A Legacy of Developing Artistic Voices
Past resident works have been featured in DDT performances at prestigious venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Atlas Performing Arts Center, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Former guest choreographers have included artists from the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Abraham.In.Motion, and Dance Theatre of Harlem — each bringing fresh perspectives and approaches to DDT’s repertoire.
DDT is DC’s only nationally recognized Black-managed contemporary ballet company between New York City and Atlanta. The Resident Choreographer Program is central to that distinction.
Support the Artists Who Shape Our Community
The DDT Resident Choreographer Program is made possible through the generosity of individuals and institutions who believe in the transformative power of the arts. Your investment sustains the mentorship, resources, and performance opportunities that allow exceptional dance artists to grow — and ensures that the next generation of Washington, DC dancers learn from leaders at the forefront of the field. Choreographers interested in the program must complete the guest choreographer form, and be choosen for three choreographic works.