Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Dayton Contemporary Dance: Celebrating African American Heritage Through Modern Dance
Founded in 1968, we are Dayton's premier modern dance company, nationally ranked among the top 10 and recognized as the foremost African American performing arts institution in Ohio. Our mission centers on celebrating the African American experience through contemporary dance, creating powerful narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. With a repertory housing works by legendary Black choreographers like Donald McKayle and Talley Beatty, we combine artistic excellence with community engagement through performances, educational programs, and outreach initiatives.As cultural ambassadors, we've toured globally while maintaining deep roots in our hometown, investing in local communities through workshops, residencies, and special events. Our Joyce Theater season featuring Paul Taylor's Esplanade marked historic firsts, cementing our role as innovators preserving dance heritage for future generations.
Services
Contemporary Dance Performances
Arts Education Programs
Community Workshops
National Tours
Online Dance Classes
Details
- Year established: 1968
Highlights and features
- We have 56 years of experience as America's foremost African American modern dance company
- Our repertory houses the world's largest collection of works by Black choreographers
- We offer arts-integrated education programs for K-12, university, and community audiences
- Our Joyce Theater performances marked historic firsts in dance industry representation
- We combine technical mastery with cultural storytelling in every electrifying performance
Services
Contemporary Dance Performances
Our electrifying performances showcase original works and masterpieces by Black choreographers, blending technical precision with cultural storytelling. Each season features mixed repertory programs at Dayton's Victoria Theatre and University of Dayton Boll Theatre, plus national tours that bring our artistry to diverse audiences through emotionally resonant movement narratives.
Arts Education Programs
We deliver curriculum-integrated dance education for K-12 students, university masterclasses, and online virtual classes. Our Donald E. Hubbard Teaching Programs combine movement with academic learning, fostering creativity and cultural awareness through workshops, residencies, and community engagement initiatives that serve all age groups.
Community Workshops
Our Community Connection Series offers interactive workshops, masterclasses, and special event performances that engage diverse populations. From Black history celebrations to corporate diversity programs, these experiences create inclusive spaces for participants aged 10-60+ to explore contemporary dance's transformative power through movement and dialogue.
National Tours
We bring our critically acclaimed performances to stages across America and internationally. Recent tours include appearances at New York's Joyce Theater and Durham's American Dance Festival, showcasing our ability to captivate global audiences while maintaining Dayton roots. Each tour features both classic repertory pieces and innovative new commissions.
Online Dance Classes
Our digital platform offers accessible dance education for all ages, featuring technique classes, cultural workshops, and performance viewings. These virtual programs extend our reach beyond Dayton, allowing global participants to experience our unique blend of contemporary dance artistry and African American heritage through structured online learning experiences.
People
Debbie Blunden-Diggs
Artistic Director
Debbie Blunden-Diggs leads as Artistic Director, bringing decades of dance expertise and a commitment to preserving African American choreographic heritage while championing new works that push artistic boundaries.
Shola Odumade
Grants Administrator
Shola Odumade manages grant administration, ensuring the company's financial sustainability while maintaining its mission of cultural preservation and community engagement through dance arts.
Shonna Hickman-Matlock
Director of Arts Enrichment
Shonna Hickman-Matlock directs educational programs, developing curriculum-integrated dance initiatives that connect with K-12 students, universities, and community organizations across Dayton's diverse population.
Questions
What makes Dayton Contemporary Dance Company unique?
We are America's foremost African American modern dance company with the world's largest repertory of works by Black choreographers, combining cultural heritage with contemporary innovation.
Do you offer educational programs for children?
Yes, our K-12 programs integrate dance with academic curriculum, and we offer youth workshops, summer intensives, and school residencies that make dance accessible to all students.
Where can I see your performances?
Our home performances are at Dayton's Victoria Theatre and University of Dayton Boll Theatre, with national tours reaching cities like New York and Durham through prestigious festivals.
How do you engage the local community?
Through our Community Connection Series featuring workshops, masterclasses, and special events that serve diverse populations from 10-60+ years old across Dayton's neighborhoods.
Can I access dance education online?
Yes, our virtual platform offers technique classes, cultural workshops, and performance viewings that extend our programming to global participants through structured online learning experiences.
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