Saint Louis Dance Theatre is doing something genuinely thrilling with its 2026-2027 *Elements of Harmony* season, and honestly, I'm here for the audacity of it all. Five world premieres. An entire season of brand-new work. No dusty revivals, no playing it safe. That takes nerve, and in a world where too many companies coast on familiar crowd-pleasers, STLDT is choosing to trust its artists and its audience. You don't just dip a toe into that kind of creative risk; you cannonball in, and I respect the splash. It's the dance equivalent of showing up to brunch in a red lip and heels you plan to dance in, not just stand in. And that energy? That's the energy we love to see.
What really gets me is the lineup of voices they're championing. Rena Butler, Keerati Jinakunwiphat, Houston Thomas, and Dexandro Montalvo joining Artistic Director Kirven Douthit-Boyd isn't just a collection of names; it's a statement. Three of those choreographers are Princess Grace Award recipients, which is like the Oscars of the dance world but with better pirouettes. This is a company saying, "We see you, we value you, and we're putting our whole season on your vision." For the audience, that means a season that's going to be unpredictable, alive, and deeply human. It's the same spirit of bold, intimate creation we saw with Adia Anselmi's recent NYC performance, which explored connection through movement, or the way Chicago Dance Company Celebrates New Works and Rising Talent in 2026-27 Season is betting on fresh voices. And just like the Martha Graham Dance Company Finds New Home, Inspires in Times Square moment, this feels like a company planting a flag and saying, "We belong here, and we're not waiting for permission."
Now, here's my honest take for you, darling: this matters because it's an invitation, not a spectacle. We often talk about dance like it's something to just watch, but this season is a chance to feel it. It's a reminder that you don't need to know the difference between a plié and a pas de bourrée to connect with bodies in motion telling a story. If you've ever felt like dance was too stuffy or too "high art" for you, this is the season to let that go. STLDT is handing you a key and saying, "Unlock whatever you need to unlock." For the women out there who are tired of feeling like they need to be perfect, this is a masterclass in embracing the messy, powerful, and radiantly imperfect. It's self-love in motion, one world premiere at a time.
Here's what I'll be watching: how the audience shows up. A season this bold only works if you're in the room, and that's the concrete point. We vote with our presence. So, go. Bring a friend, buy the ticket, and let yourself be moved. Because when a company risks everything to create something new, the least we can do is show up and let it change us. That's not just supporting the arts; that's supporting the art of becoming more fully ourselves. And that, my queens, is a harmony worth hearing.
