Saint Louis Dance Theatre wins Wins the 2025 A-List Awards by St. Louis Magazine
Double A-List Recognition Celebrates Community and Collaboration
When nearly 360,000 St. Louisans cast their votes for the region's finest in arts, culture, and beyond, Saint Louis Dance Theatre found itself honored in not one, but two categories of St. Louis Magazine's prestigious A-List Awards. The recognition feels especially meaningful because it comes directly from the community we serve and the creative partners who make our work possible.
Readers Choose Their Top Dance Company
The A-List Readers' Choice Award for Top Dance Company represents something profound: our neighbors, friends, and fellow St. Louisans see contemporary dance as an essential part of what makes this city vibrant. When you vote for us, you're not just recognizing our dancers and artistic team—you're championing the idea that world-class dance belongs in St. Louis.
"This recognition belongs to everyone who has supported our vision," says Executive Director Erin Warner Prange. "From subscribers and donors to community partners and audience members, this award reflects the collective belief that St. Louis is a home for exceptional contemporary dance."
The readers' choice victory particularly resonates with our mission to make dance accessible to all St. Louisans. Through initiatives like Community Night "pay what you can" performances, Youth Access Program, and Senior Embrace outreach, we've worked to ensure that few barriers stand between someone and transformative artistic experiences.
Editorial Recognition for Gaslight Dreams
The A-List Editors' Choice Award for Collaboration celebrates our partnership with Jazz St. Louis on Gaslight Dreams, our jazz-infused reimagining of holiday classics set to Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn's “Nutcracker Suite.” This production—formerly known as the Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker—represents exactly the kind of creative partnership that strengthens St. Louis's artistic ecosystem.
The collaboration brings together two of the region's premier arts organizations, each contributing their distinct expertise. Jazz St. Louis provides world-class musicianship and deep jazz heritage, while Saint Louis Dance Theatre contributes innovative choreography and theatrical storytelling. Together, we create something neither organization could achieve alone.
Looking Ahead
As we prepare for our Love Languages season, these awards remind us that our work resonates because it speaks to universal human experiences. Whether through the playful humor of Jiří Kylián's Sechs Tänze or the collaborative magic of Gaslight Dreams, we create performances that connect with St. Louisans across all backgrounds and experiences.
The recognition also reinforces our belief that world-class art and community accessibility can coexist. Every performance we present, every partnership we forge, and every program we offer reflects our conviction that St. Louis deserves the finest contemporary dance—and that everyone should be able to experience it.
Celebrating Community
These A-List Awards belong to our entire community. To subscribers who trust us with their time and investment. To donors who make our programming possible. To collaborative partners like Jazz St. Louis who share our vision. To critics and audiences who engage thoughtfully with our work. To students and families who participate in our educational programs.
Thank you for making these honors possible. Here's to continuing this creative journey together.
Want to experience award-winning dance in St. Louis? Our Love Languages season begins this November with world premieres, beloved masterworks, and the return of Gaslight Dreams. Season subscriptions start at $95 and include benefits with season partner 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis.