Saint Louis Dance Theatre Announces 2025-2026 Love Languages Season
World Premieres, Symphony Collaboration, and Community Programs Highlight Season of Connection
Dancers: Demetrius Lee, Dave McCall, and Keenan Fletcher | Artwork: Fallen Fruit, The Way Out West
ST. LOUIS, Mo., June 2, 2025 --- Saint Louis Dance Theatre (STLDT) unveils its 2025-2026 Love Languages season, presented by Paul and Kathleen Matecki, featuring innovative world premieres, beloved masterworks, and meaningful collaborations that celebrate movement as a universal language of human connection.
The upcoming season showcases an exceptional roster of internationally acclaimed choreographers whose work defines contemporary dance's global landscape. Belgian-Colombian innovator Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, whose choreography has been performed by the Joffrey Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, and companies across five continents, creates her first world premiere work for STLDT. Swedish master Johan Inger, recipient of the prestigious Benois de la Danse award, brings his celebrated Walking Mad to the company. Stephanie Martinez, Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” (2022), contributes Kiss, her moving exploration of human connection, alongside additional world premieres by STLDT Artistic Director Kirven Douthit-Boyd.
At the heart of the season are three seasonal series---Fall, Winter, and Spring---each offering multiple performances over a weekend with programming that showcases these unique choreographic voices and dancers. The series productions are complemented by collaborations with Jazz St. Louis and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, as well as the immersive Tour de Dance experience in Grand Center Arts District.
"Dance is the physical manifestation of emotions --- the key attribute of refined storytelling," said Douthit-Boyd, former principal with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. "Through our Love Languages season, we explore how movement transcends words to express our deepest connections. From the revolutionary choreography of Annabelle Lopez Ochoa to Johan Inger's boundary-breaking Walking Mad, each performance invites audiences to experience how world-class dance articulates our shared humanity."
The season opens November 14-16, 2025, with the Love Languages Fall Series featuring world premieres by Lopez Ochoa and Douthit-Boyd, followed by the return of Gaslight Dreams: set to the music of The Nutcracker Suite by Ellington & Strayhorn (December 19-20), made possible by the Whitaker Foundation, a STLDT and Jazz St. Louis holiday tradition.
January brings Stravinsky and Debussy: Music in Motion (January 10-11, 2026), marking STLDT's second collaboration with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, featuring world premiere choreography by Douthit-Boyd set to Stravinsky's vibrant Pulcinella Suite at the newly renovated Powell Hall.
The Love Languages Winter Series (February 27-March 1, 2026) showcases the company premiere of Johan Inger's award-winning Walking Mad, while the intimate Tour De Dance returns March 26, transforming iconic St. Louis spaces into immersive performance venues through progressive dining and dance experiences.
The season concludes May 29-31 with the Love Languages Spring Series featuring the company premiere of Stephanie Martinez's Kiss, described as "a love letter" to fundamental human connection.
STLDT's artistic vision extends beyond the stage through an innovative partnership with 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis, where the season's striking photography was captured among the hotel's contemporary art collection, creating a visual dialogue between movement and contemporary art.
"Our Love Languages season doesn't just celebrate artistic excellence---it strengthens the bonds between STLDT and the wide range of communities we serve," said Erin Warner Prange, Executive Director. "We continue to build on our successful community initiatives, including the Youth Access Program providing tickets to St. Louis youth, Senior Embrace performances at retirement communities and senior centers throughout the region, and ensuring accessibility through our Community Night "pay what you can" performances. Together with our Kids Circle program for children ages 5-10, these initiatives reflect our belief that world-class dance should be accessible to everyone in our community."
Subscription packages for the 2025-2026 season start at $95 and include subscriber benefits with season partner 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis.
For complete season information and to purchase subscriptions, visit stldancetheatre.org/lovelanguages.
Love Languages Performance Schedule
LOVE LANGUAGES FALL SERIES November 14-16, 2025 | Catherine B. Berges Theatre at COCA | World premiere by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa & Kirven Douthit-Boyd
GASLIGHT DREAMS: set to the music of The Nutcracker Suite by Ellington & Strayhorn December 19-20, 2025 | With Jazz St. Louis | Skip Viragh Center
STRAVINSKY AND DEBUSSY: MUSIC IN MOTION January 10-11, 2026 | With the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra | Powell Hall | World premiere choreography by Kirven Douthit-Boyd
LOVE LANGUAGES WINTER SERIES February 27-March 1, 2026 | Catherine B. Berges Theatre at COCA | Company premiere of Johan Inger's Walking Mad
TOUR DE DANCE March 26, 2026 | Grand Center Arts District | Immersive multimedia performance experience
LOVE LANGUAGES SPRING SERIES May 29-31, 2026 | Catherine B. Berges Theatre at COCA | Company premiere of Stephanie Martinez's Kiss.
About Saint Louis Dance Theatre
Saint Louis Dance Theatre is a premier professional dance company blazing new trails by interweaving the Gateway City's storied legacy into boundary-pushing contemporary performances. Combining world-class artistry with a bold vision, Saint Louis Dance Theatre champions inclusivity, collaboration, and artistic excellence. This fusion of purpose and passion positions Saint Louis Dance Theatre as a beacon for the spirit of St. Louis in every performance.
With a grand vision of elevating St. Louis as a nationally recognized arts destination, Saint Louis Dance Theatre aims to deepen connections locally while showcasing the region's pioneering creative force on a national scale. For more information, visit stldancetheatre.org.
Season Sponsors and Partners
Saint Louis Dance Theatre's Love Languages season is made possible through the generous support of the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis (ARPA for the Arts), Missouri Arts Council, and Shubert Foundation. Season partner 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis provides additional collaborative support.
Social Media Kit
Link to Social Graphics on Dropbox
🌟 ANNOUNCING: STLDT 2025-2026 "Love Languages" Season! 🌟
Dance speaks what words cannot. Experience how movement expresses our deepest connections through six powerful productions:
Fall Series (Nov 14-16): World premiere by Kirven Douthit-Boyd & international sensation Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
Gaslight Dreams (Dec 19-20): Our holiday tradition with @jazzstl returns!
Stravinsky & Debussy: Music in Motion (Jan 10-11): STLDT + @SLSO at the newly renovated Powell Hall
Winter Series (Feb 27-Mar 1): Johan Inger's breathtaking Walking Mad + a world premiere by Kirven Douthit-Boyd
Tour de Dance (Mar 26): Intimate, immersive dining and dance experience
Spring Series (May 29-31): Stephanie Martinez's moving Kiss celebrates human connection
🎟️ Season subscriptions start at $95
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