Through the Dark, The Light Beckons

Season 20 · October 2026 · Publick Playhouse, Cheverly, MD

Dissonance Dance Theatre opens its historic 20th Anniversary Season with Through the Dark, The Light Beckons — a bold, all-new evening of dance choreographed by Founding Director Shawn Short. Celebrating the power, spirit, and stylish legacy of Black movement, this world-premiere program weaves together five new works that speak to womanhood, ancestral memory, everyday heroism, and the rhythmic evolution of Black dance from its roots to today. A landmark evening marking twenty years of artistic purpose.

Season Repertoire — All Works Choreographed by Shawn Short

Lady D (New Work) — A female solo in three movements exploring a woman’s strength through handling internal conflicts, releasing past pain, and finding freedom.

For The Ancestors (New Work) — An athletic, spirit-fueled celebration of Africanist movement fused with contemporary dance, performed to the percussive sounds of African cellist Abel Selaocoe.

Heroism Is Walking (New Work) — A response to our conflicted times, this urgent work invokes the hero within as bodies blur with speed to Bryce Dessner’s climactic score.

October London Suite (New Work) — A three-part contemporary jazz work bringing sophisticated cool and head-bopping grooves to the stage, set to the smooth sounds of “21st Century Marvin Gaye,” October London.

Ashes on the Door of Promise (New Work) — A love letter to a world filled with pain, this four-part contemporary soft-shoe ballet asks the question: are things really the way they seem to be?