The Big Muddy Dance Company is excited to announce that Kirven Douthit-Boyd will step into the Artistic Director role to usher the 12-year-old company into its next chapter of growth.

"I’m thrilled to have been chosen to lead the company into the next iteration of existence. Now is the time to be brave and to make bold decisions in efforts to honor my commitment to elevating the St. Louis dance landscape. My goal is to bring the work of diverse artists and choreographers to the forefront and engage in impactful collaborations with local arts institutions." - Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Incoming Artistic Director Kirven Douthit-Boyd has become a well-known figure in the St. Louis arts community during his 7-year tenure at COCA as Co-Artistic Director of Dance, following an 11-year performance career with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Kirven will remain connected with COCA in a curatorial role as Associate Director of Dance Productions, while transitioning into a full-time position with The Big Muddy Dance Company to lead this group of 15 professional dancers with intentional direction.

"Kirven has a vivid and articulate vision for this company's potential. His drive, his passion, and his attention to detail (both in the studio and out) will take us all to greater heights and put St. Louis on the national map of dance destinations." - Erin Prange, Executive Director

In addition to his new role as Artistic Director beginning July 1, Douthit-Boyd has also served as The Big Muddy's Artistic Curator over the past 4 months to develop the company's 2022-2023 Launch Season. His prior work as a longtime choreographer for the company presents a smooth transition of leadership, and he has created a powerful lineup of renowned guest artists to present premiere works on the company. The season will serve as a launch point for a new artistic direction and a new phase of growth for the organization.

MAIN STAGE SERIES:

IGNTE October 28-29, 2022 at Berges Theatre

A collection of world premieres that display the power and versatility of our dancers, featuring choreography by Norbert De La Cruz III, Thang Dao, Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Geoff Alexander, and Brandon Fink.

AN EVENING OF MYSTERY January 27-28, 2023 at The Grandel

A reimagining of the iconic character Sherlock Holmes, directed and choreographed by Joshua L. Peugh.

BLAZE May 19-20, 2023 at Berges Theatre

A specially curated blend of exciting new works and audience favorites, featuring choreography by Elizabeth Corbett, Marcus Willis, and more.

ADDITIONAL EVENTS:

THE BIG MUDDY DANCE FEST: September 16-18, 2022 in Grand Center

THE BIG MUDDY “MASQUERADE” GALA: October 15, 2022 at the Sheldon Concert Hall Ballroom

TOUR DE DANCE PROGRESSIVE DINNER AND DANCE SHOWCASE: March 30, 2023 in Grand Center

SUBSCRIPTION TICKETS:

PREMIER SUBSCRIPTION ($400) Includes preferred seating at all three main stage productions, an invitation to opening night receptions, as well as access to the 2022 Big Muddy Dance Fest, the Masquerade Gala, and Tour de Dance.

MAIN STAGE SUBSCRIPTION ($110) Includes preferred seating at all three main stage productions, an invitation to opening night receptions.

2022-2023 Launch Season Subscription Packages are available now:

https://thebigmuddydanceco.org/subscribe/

 

About The Big Muddy Dance Company:

Our Mission: To invigorate life through dance.

Our Vision: A diverse community that believes in the love, joy, and transformative power of dance. The Big Muddy Dance Company seeks to invigorate life through dance. The Big Muddy Dance Company is a St. Louis-based repertory dance company that builds a love of dance by providing fun, experiential, and highly entertaining performances. By engaging both emerging and established choreographers, collaborating across the community through performances and outreach, and training future artists through our school and trainee program, we constantly strive to invigorate life through dance.

The organization operates programming through three major entities: The Big Muddy Dance Company, producing both major productions and community performances; our educational program, which offers classes to adults as well as training programs for pre-professional dancers; and Senior Embrace, the company's senior citizen outreach program.

Company History:

Formerly St. Louis Dance Theatre, Inc., The Big Muddy Dance Company was founded in April 2010 by Paula David with a small company of 8 local dancers. Since that time, The Big Muddy Dance Company has booked over 300 performances due to their flourishing reputation. The Big Muddy Dance Company was named “Best Local Dance Company” in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2019 by Go! Magazine, St. Louis Post Dispatch, as well as “Best Local Dance Company” by Riverfront Times in 2015 and appeared on St. Louis Magazine’s A-list in 2017, 2019, and 2020. The company won two 2020 St. Louis Theatre Circle Awards and a St. Louis Arts Award for their participation in the collaborative production “Such Sweet Thunder.”

More about the company: https://thebigmuddydanceco.org/