Southern DanceWorksSouthern DanceWorksFounded in 1963 and led by the innovative choreographer Germaul Barnes, SDWx stands as Alabama’s premier contemporary dance company. Our mission focuses on boosting community engagement, partnering with artists, and broadening the movement vocabulary to incorporate new and diverse voices. Located in Birmingham, we nurture strong ties with local communities while also welcoming global viewpoints. Through our performances, residencies, and workshops, we cultivate transformative spaces where dance serves as a medium for storytelling, healing, and cultural dialogue[suggest: connection].
Community Impact
Whether partnering with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, hosting residencies at the Alyse Stephen Performing Arts Center, or offering professional mentorship through ASFA, our mission remains clear: build bridges through movement and nurture the next generation of artists.
With over 200 community members attending our latest performances and dozens of volunteers, composers, and artists working behind the scenes, SDWx stands as a beacon of collaboration and cultural pride in the American South.
Our mission is to cultivate an equitable organization that nourishes multi-disciplinary dance with a global perspective.
Our vision is to provide dance artists with diverse lived experiences a place to craft dance works relevant to and reflective of our communities.
The 2024 Lurks Behind Cast: Cedrick Scruggs, Daniel E. Hernandez, Zoey Jenkins, Eryn Cade, Ally Campbell, Nicholas Thacker, Ciara Martin, and Artistic Director Germaul Barnes take a photo with Jonathan Skinner of WBRC News
Our Programs