Saint Louis Dance Theatre Company Dancer Demetrius Lee Named a 2026 Princess Grace Award Winner
Honor from the Princess Grace Foundation-USA marks a milestone for STLDT and underscores Artistic Director Kirven Douthit-Boyd's vision for St. Louis as a rising arts destination
ST. LOUIS, MO — August 5, 2026
Saint Louis Dance Theatre (STLDT) is proud to announce that company dancer Demetrius Lee has been named a recipient of the 2026 Princess Grace Award, one of the most prestigious honors given to emerging artists in theater, dance, and film in the United States.
Established to uphold the legacy of Her Serene Highness Princess Grace of Monaco, the Princess Grace Foundation-USA identifies and elevates extraordinary early-career artists through unrestricted cash grants, along with long-term professional support that continues throughout a winner's career. Each year, the Foundation receives nominations from arts organizations, universities, and past Award winners across the country — yet selects just 18 Princess Grace Award winners annually across all three disciplines it supports: theater, dance, and film. The Foundation's community of honorees now numbers more than 1,000 artists nationwide, placing Lee among a select group recognized for their artistic intentionality, technical excellence, and promise of extraordinary impact on their field.
For Saint Louis Dance Theatre, Lee's recognition is a landmark moment. Founded to bring bold, contemporary ballet to the Midwest, STLDT has quickly built a reputation for developing dancers of national caliber while rooting that work firmly in the St. Louis community. A Princess Grace Award — an honor whose past dance recipients include some of the most celebrated names in American ballet — brings national validation to that mission and signals SLDT's growing standing among the country's most exciting contemporary dance companies.
The honor also shines a spotlight on the artistic direction of Kirven Douthit-Boyd, who has led STLDT with a distinct vision: to cultivate world-class dance artistry in St. Louis and, in doing so, position the city as a genuine destination for dance on the national stage. Lee's award is a direct reflection of the training, repertoire, and creative environment Douthit-Boyd has built for the company since its founding.
"Demetrius’ extraordinary talent is a testament to the caliber of artistry that we continue to build at Saint Louis Dance Theatre," said Douthit-Boyd, Artistic Director of Saint Louis Dance Theatre. “He is incredibly deserving of this honor, and we look forward to continuing with him on his journey as a mover and creator.”
"I am so thankful to be recognized by the esteemed Princess Grace Foundation, and truly humbled to be included among such an amazing cohort of artists." said Lee.
Lee will join the Princess Grace Foundation's community of Award winners, gaining access to the Foundation's continued funding and career-development opportunities as he continues his work with Saint Louis Dance Theatre.
About Saint Louis Dance Theatre
Saint Louis Dance Theatre, under artistic direction of Kirven Douthit-Boyd, is the city’s premier contemporary dance company and elevates the art form through world-class performances, showcasing exhilarating works created by national and international diverse voices.
About the princess grace foundation-USA
The Princess Grace Foundation-USA is a national program dedicated to identifying and supporting emerging artists in theater, dance, and film at the outset of their careers. Through the Princess Grace Awards and ongoing career support, the Foundation has built a community of more than 1,000 artists nationwide, upholding the legacy of Her Serene Highness Princess Grace of Monaco.
Media Contact:
Erin Prange
Executive Director
eprange@stldancetheatre.org
