Saint Louis Dance Theatre’s (STLDT) 2025-2026 Love Languages season, introduced by Paul and Kathleen Matecki, options groundbreaking world premieres, cherished masterworks, and significant collaborations that remember motion as a common language of human connection.
The upcoming season showcases an distinctive roster of internationally acclaimed choreographers whose work defines up to date dance’s world panorama. Belgian-Colombian innovator Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, whose choreography has been carried out by the Joffrey Ballet, Dutch Nationwide Ballet, and corporations throughout 5 continents, creates her first world premiere work for STLDT. Swedish grasp Johan Inger, recipient of the distinguished Benois de la Danse award, brings his celebrated Strolling Mad to the corporate. Stephanie Martinez contributes Kiss, her transferring exploration of human connection, alongside extra world premieres by STLDT Inventive Director Kirven Douthit-Boyd.
On the coronary heart of the season are three seasonal collection—Fall, Winter, and Spring—every providing a number of performances over a weekend with programming that showcases these distinctive choreographic voices and dancers. The collection productions are complemented by collaborations with Jazz St. Louis and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, in addition to the immersive Tour de Dance expertise in Grand Middle Arts District.
“Dance is the bodily manifestation of feelings — the important thing attribute of refined storytelling,” mentioned Douthit-Boyd, former principal with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. “By our Love Languages season, we discover how motion transcends phrases to specific our deepest connections. From the revolutionary choreography of Annabelle Lopez Ochoa to Johan Inger’s boundary-breaking Strolling Mad, every efficiency invitations audiences to expertise how world-class dance articulates our shared humanity.”
The season opens November 14-16, 2025, with the Love Languages Fall Sequence that includes world premieres by Lopez Ochoa and Douthit-Boyd, adopted by the return of Gaslight Goals: set to the music of The Nutcracker Suite by Ellington & Strayhorn (December 19-20), a STLDT and Jazz St. Louis vacation custom.
January brings Stravinsky and Debussy: Music in Movement (January 10-11, 2026), marking STLDT’s second collaboration with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, that includes world premiere choreography by Douthit-Boyd set to Stravinsky’s vibrant Pulcinella Suite on the newly renovated Powell Corridor.
The Love Languages Winter Sequence (February 27-March 1, 2026) showcases the corporate premiere of Johan Inger’s award-winning Strolling Mad, whereas the intimate Tour De Dance returns March 26, remodeling iconic St. Louis areas into immersive efficiency venues by means of progressive eating and dance experiences.
The season concludes Might 29-31 with the Love Languages Spring Sequence that includes the corporate premiere of Stephanie Martinez’s Kiss, described as “a love letter” to basic human connection.
STLDT’s inventive imaginative and prescient extends past the stage by means of an modern partnership with 21c Museum Resort St. Louis, the place the season’s hanging images was captured among the many resort’s up to date artwork assortment, creating a visible dialogue between motion and up to date artwork.
“Our Love Languages season doesn’t simply have fun inventive excellence—it strengthens the bonds between STLDT and the big selection of communities we serve,” mentioned Erin Warner Prange, Govt Director. “We proceed to construct on our profitable group initiatives, together with the Youth Entry Program offering tickets to St. Louis youth, Senior Embrace performances at retirement communities and senior facilities all through the area, and guaranteeing accessibility by means of our Neighborhood Night time “pay what you possibly can” performances. Along with our Children Circle program for youngsters ages 5-10, these initiatives mirror our perception that world-class dance ought to be accessible to everybody in our group.”
Subscription packages for the 2025-2026 season begin at $95 and embrace subscriber advantages with season companion 21c Museum Resort St. Louis.
For full season data and to buy subscriptions, go to stldancetheatre.org/lovelanguages.
