When the Big Muddy Dance Company launched in 2010, it featured just six dancers who performed around the St. Louis area, building momentum for the grassroots organization. Sixteen years and countless world-class dance performances later, it has grown and transformed, becoming Saint Louis Dance Theatre. The repertory dance company is dedicated to invigorating life through dance, whether it’s by sharing high caliber artist experiences with the St. Louis region, engaging with emerging and world-renowned choreographers or training future performers.
Board chair Shereen Fischer was inspired to get involved with Saint Louis Dance Theatre after witnessing the organization’s impact. She has a personal understanding of how important access to the arts can be. “St. Louis is home to so many wonderful artistic and cultural institutions, but there was not much happening in contemporary dance,” she notes. “Saint Louis Dance Theatre brings the community access to world class choreographers and some of the most exciting dancers. It has elevated the entire city nationally and even internationally. It brings me so much joy to support its mission as a former dancer and lover of the arts.”
The impact Saint Louis Dance Theatre has been able to have is thanks in part to the leadership of its artistic director, Kirven Douthit-Boyd. His illustrious dance career includes being part of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for 11 years, performing at the White House and choreographing works for Dallas Black Dance Theater, Ailey II and more. Douthit-Boyd’s reputation and dedication to contemporary dance has attracted both choreographers and dancers to the St. Louis region. “Last season, we had two positions available, and 382 young dancers from across the country applied,” Fischer says. “Because of Kirven, choreographers are offering Saint Louis Dance Theatre the opportunity to perform their most famous works as well as world premieres.”
As Saint Louis Dance Theatre has grown it also has established partnerships with other cultural institutions throughout the region. Collaborations have included performing at Powell Hall with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and the annual Gaslight Dreams production in partnership with Jazz St. Louis. Fischer notes that audiences can look forward to innovative new projects with community partners in the company’s 2026-27 season and beyond. “Saint Louis Dance Theatre is an integral piece of our city’s vibrant arts ecosystem,” she notes. “We believe in collaboration, accessibility, artistic excellence, personal connection, outreach to the community and global representation.”
It’s a labor of love to bring new and innovative art to the region. To make its work possible, Saint Louis Dance Theatre relies on the support of the community. This includes initiatives to aid performers, such as increasing dancer salaries to the national industry-standard wage. “It is imperative that we take care of the people that provide us with beauty and inspiration through their craft,” Fischer explains. “As a small organization that is making world-class art, Saint Louis Dance Theatre needs support from our community to help mark St. Louis on the map for contemporary dance. We celebrate that instead of having to travel all over the world to see high caliber dance, St. Louisans can experience important works right here at home.”
Fischer will serve as co-chair along with acclaimed visual artist Amy Granat for Saint Louis Dance Theatre’s annual Movers & Shakers Ball. This year’s event will be held Oct. 23 at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. “The ball will be exciting,” Fischer says. “Amy is spearheading a special project that will demonstrate the power of collaboration and celebrate the beautiful results when visual art and dance collide.” Guests can look forward to the world premiere of Douthit-Boyd’s newest work as well as the revival of fan favorite Cloud 9 by Norbert De La Cruz III. The evening will be themed “Orbit,” reflecting how bodies in motion are drawn together for purpose and community.
The Movers & Shakers Ball is just the beginning of what Saint Louis Dance Theatre is bringing to the community this autumn. Its Fall Series will continue Oct. 24 and 25. The program will include two more world premieres. “Saint Louis Dance Theatre is dedicated not just to art but to uplifting the region,” Fischer notes. “It is beautiful that the company’s work is for everyone to experience. That artistry and power can transport our community, and dancers and choreographers around the globe are taking note of what we are doing right here in our hometown.”
Saint Louis Dance Theatre is a repertory dance company that showcases high caliber artistic experiences. Its Movers & Shakers ball is Oct. 23 at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Pictured on the cover: Event co-chairs Shereen Fischer and Amy Granat (both seated), artistic director Kirven Douthit-Boyd and executive director Erin Warner Prange with Saint Louis Dance Theatre dancers. For more information, call 314.338.4058 or visit saintlouisdancetheatre.org.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Tim Parker
Pictured at the top Saint Louis Dance Theatre dancer Miles Ashe
Saint Louis Dance Theater dancers Molly Rapp and Sergio Camacho
Photos courtesy of Saint Louis Dance Theater