ST. LOUIS — Contemporary dance is one of many forms that make up the St. Louis performing arts scene.
The highly decorated Big Muddy Dance Company, which has been around since 2010, will open its 2023-24 season entitled “BECOMING” this upcoming fall.
They are redefining identity by celebrating diversity under the direction of a renowned artistic director Kirvin Douthit-Boyd.
This year through next, dancers will train under choreographers from South Africa, Los Angeles, and New York.
"Every day is different. Every day looks different, and every day feels different and I'm a different version of myself," said Nyna Moore, joining the ensemble for the first time this season.
The Denver native will join 15 other creatives from St. Louis and around the globe.
"I found them on Instagram, I was looking for auditions and trying to figure out what my next steps were um after graduating from college,” she said.
"I think that St. Louis is a fantastic arts city and something that could really galvanize the art scene is the inclusion of contemporary dance with how it uses stage acting, text, voice," said Gorrell Lawyer-Jefferson.
The 33-year-old is inspired to inspire and noted it was the work that Douthit-Boyd and other leadership were doing to promote connectivity within the community that convinced him to make St. Louis home.
“I feel like I am kind of paying it forward. Being here. Being an anchor for a lot of people,” Lawyer-Jefferson added.
The movers spend six hours, five days a week rehearsing at the Center of Creative Arts in University City. They spend time in a technique class, in residencies with visiting artists, and shaping up pieces from the previous season.
Douthit-Boyd, a Boston Native and Alvin Ailey alum uses his expertise to ensure sure there is intent in the movement no matter the space dancers are in.
They partner with groups such as Jazz St. Louis and this season, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
“Really trying to bring the world of dance here to St. Louis and to really give my dancers a unique experience by way of different voices," he said.
The company has commissioned over 95 works in its repertoire to date and has completed over 350 performances.
“What makes us special is the way we are able to pull from our people in the community to create these really innovative collaborative artistic experiences for audiences,” he added.
The dancers and the operating team behind them want audiences to grow and take the journey with them.
“We need people to advocate for the organization. We need them to be willing to resource the organization by attending shows and sharing their time and treasure and we need people to tell the story,” said Robert S. Harvey, a board member.
The dance company will host its Big Muddy Mall on November 4th at COCA to kick off the season where dancers will premier some of their new pieces.
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