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Dissonance Dance Theatre  ·  20th Anniversary

The 2026–27
Season

2007  —  2027  ·  Twenty Years of Artistry

Three world premieres

Oct
18
2026
World Premiere · Season Opener

Through the Dark,
The Light Beckons

Publick Playhouse  ·  Cheverly, MD  ·  Oct 18, 2026

Five new works for the 20th Anniversary Season opener, honoring the African American contemporary modern tradition. Featuring original choreography by Shawn Short and guest choreographers performing in the styles of Horton, and Afro-modern.

World Premiere Contemporary Modern Ballet 20th Anniversary
Tickets Available Soon Show Details
Through the Dark, The Light Beckons
2027
TBD
 
World Premiere

Until Love Comes
Knockin'

Atlas Performing Arts Center  ·  Washington, DC  ·  Date TBD

An evening-length world premiere presented through Ngoma's Atlas Performing Arts Center partnership. Choreography by Shawn Short. Date to be confirmed — join our interest list to be first to know when tickets open.

World Premiere Washington, DC Atlas Partner
Show Details
Until Love Comes Knockin'
Spr
'27
TBA
World Premiere · Touring Production

Road of Angled
Turns

Venue TBD  ·  Spring 2027

A world premiere choreographed by Shawn Short with Guest Choreographer Kareem B. Goodwin. Venue and dates to be confirmed. Join our interest list for first access when tickets open.

World Premiere Guest Choreography Touring
Show Details
Road of Angled Turns

Creative Team

Shawn Short, MFA
Principal Choreographer  ·  Founding Artistic Director
Shawn Short, MFA

Former Faculty, Washington Ballet · Former Soloist, El Teatro de Danza Contemporánea El Salvador · Bolton/Smith · KT Dance · Principal Choreographer & Fight Choreographer, Folger Theatre's Julius X · Post-Graduate Certificate in Business · 21 professional certifications

Full bio
Kareem B. Goodwin
Resident Choreographer  ·  Guest Choreographer, ROAT
Kareem B. Goodwin

Guest Choreographer, Road of Angled Turns · Dallas Black Dance Theatre commission, Publick Playhouse · DDT Resident Choreographer

Full bio
Timeless Dance. Remixed.· Through the Dark, The Light Beckons· Until Love Comes Knockin'· Road of Angled Turns· Dissonance Dance Theatre· 20 Years of Artistry· Washington, DC· World Premieres· Est. 2007· Publick Playhouse· Atlas Performing Arts Center· Timeless Dance. Remixed.· Through the Dark, The Light Beckons· Until Love Comes Knockin'· Road of Angled Turns· Dissonance Dance Theatre· 20 Years of Artistry· Washington, DC· World Premieres· Est. 2007· Publick Playhouse· Atlas Performing Arts Center·

Shawn Short in Julius X

Folger Theatre's Julius X — Shawn Short
Photo: Ngoma Center for Dance Annual Report 2025  ·  Folger Theatre's Julius X
"The work demands that the body speak what words cannot — it is Black contemporary dance at its most urgent."

Shawn Short served as Principal Choreographer and Fight Choreographer for Folger Theatre's celebrated Julius X production — a re-imagining of Julius Caesar set in contemporary Washington, DC. The production brought together the worlds of classical theatre and Black concert dance, drawing on Shawn's deep background in theater, movement studies, and concert dance.

Read Shawn's full bio