Karlovsky & Company Dance

Karlovsky & Company Dance is a professional contemporary modern dance company committed to presenting the art of dance-theater through innovative choreography that embodies the essence of the human experience. We nurture collaborative partnerships with musicians, visual artists, and choreographers to provide an experience for the viewer that evokes personal reflection. 

The company is committed to supporting talented artists within our community, developing our unique artistry, forging national and international collaborations, and delivering captivating dance programs to diverse audiences throughout the St. Louis region and beyond. Programming includes concert performances, community performances of site-specific dance, dance on film, and dance and somatic educational initiatives for dancers, older adults, and children. The company believes that the arts play a vital role in our human existence and contributes to nurturing a healthy cultural future.

Founded and directed in 2012 by Dawn Karlovsky, the company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in St. Louis, Missouri, and a resident organization of the Kranzberg Arts Foundation.

The work of Karlovsky & Company Dance extends beyond the region with a long history of presenting site-specific community performances, concert work, and residencies nationwide and internationally. Since the inception of the company, the choreographic work of Karlovsky & Company Dance has been commissioned internationally with tours to France and South Africa, and nationally presented in New York City, Minneapolis and Duluth MN, Tulsa, San Francisco-Bay Area, and Kalamazoo, MI. 

The 2024–25 season marks Karlovsky & Company Dance’s 12th year. The company recently premiered TAPESTRY, an international concert collaboration with Divadlo Štúdio tanca from Slovakia.

Now embarking on their third international tour, Karlovsky & Company Dance will travel to Slovakia this summer to present the second part of this collaborative project. This exciting opportunity offers the company a chance to share its artistry on a global stage, deepen cultural connections, and continue its growth as a creative force in contemporary dance.

Discover more about Karlovsky & Company Dance through the highlights of our featured programs outlined below.

CONCERT WORKS

Mainstage Productions: Our evening-length productions bring choreographic landscapes to life through a dynamic integration of contemporary dance-theater, live music, spoken word, and video/visual art. Through collaborations with national and international creators, we cultivate cultural exchange and offer fresh, transformative perspectives on the human experience. We create dance works that are visceral, poignant, and expressively captivating – art that resonates deeply on a human level.

Playful Pairings: Collaborations in Movement, Music, Taste, and Space: Audiences take an immersive journey of site-specific dance performances playfully paired with live music, culinary treats, and drinks crafted to match the qualities of movement, music, theme, and environment. This program is adapted for children and adults.

COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES

InTRANSIT: City spaces are energized through this free program where community dancers are invited to collaborate and perform with company members and musicians in creating site-specific dance works. Audiences are guided on foot to various outdoor locations, experiencing spaces uniquely transformed by dance and live music.  InTRANSIT is a family-friendly public performance.

DINE ON DANCE: Since 2004, these free performances have brought dance and live music to the St. Louis community at select outdoor locations. DINE ON DANCE features diverse dance forms by local choreographers, providing them the opportunity to reach new audiences with full production support from Karlovsky & Company Dance.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Summer Somatic Series: Weekly movement workshops for movers of all types to help deepen one’s movement experiences, enhance sensory awareness and performance skills, and engage in self-care. A variety of modalities are offered including Alexander Technique, Authentic Movement, Feldenkrais Method®, and more. 

About Dance: An engaging introduction to dance for retired adults and children, offering insights into the art of dance and choreography. This lecture-demonstration program is designed to be accessible to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience dance as an art form.

Brain Moves: The Brain Moves program is a resource designed to help classroom teachers incorporate movement into lessons. The program features movement activities based on total body connectivity patterns that strengthen the body-mind connection supporting focus and attention, and promoting emotional regulation, presence, and social-emotional growth in young learners.

Company and Community Classes: On-going open classes for company members and community dancers and masterclasses with visiting guest artists and collaborators.