The Akron Black Artist Guild commissioned a collaboration for Frtrss Dance Theatre and African drummer, Berhane Okantah, to premiere a unique work in the lobby of the Akron Art Museum during the 2024 Creative Connect. Creative Connect is an opportunity for ABAG to showcase the various art disciplines we support as an organization.

Frtrss Dance Theatre was able to participate as a panelist during the second half of the Next Generation Dance Legacy Conversation, hosted by GroundWorks Dance Theater. The two part event featured established dance organization founders and their origins & stories over the past 20 years as well as new startups, companies and dance platforms and the challenges and opportunities they face.

Frtrss Dance Theatre made their first appearance at the Revoice Conference and performed a revamped version of Forgivenessand a new dance in collaboration with Linden Hope Music.

Revoice was founded in 2018, when a group of Christians gathered to support and encourage each other in their faith. Most of them were gay/same-sex-attracted, and all of them believed that the Christian faith required them to live within the confines of a traditional sexual ethic. That first conference, and each of the events that have followed in subsequent years, was marked by joyful community, Spirit-filled worship, and challenging teaching.

For those who were unable to attend, here is a free pass to watch "Forgiveness" from the Revoice Conference and enjoy the conference recordings as well!

Frtrss was chosen as the Choreographic Fellow to present a new work in The Movement Projects first Concert Dance Series in Akron on May 3rd and 4th, 2024.

Homesick exhibits the unhoused population and explores how thin the line is that separates one from this experience by showing the decline of someone with a seemingly fortunate life and their sudden immersion into the homeless community. Inspired by the story of a man experiencing homelessness that I was able to interview and collaborate with, taking elements from the parable of The Good Samaritan, Homesick challenges us to observe our posture towards the Golden Rule and contemplate who we see as a neighbor.

Commissioned for Ohio Contemporary Ballet’s Emerging Choreographer’s Showcase, Victory Lapse is an exploration of addiction, relapse and recovery. Drawing from emotional depth, the performance seeks to offer a poignant reflection on how relapse affects both those battling addiction and their loved ones. As well as serve as a reminder and recovery resource for those battling addiction.

Forgiveness is a dance on forgiveness created for Miller South School for the Performing Arts and premiered February 8th, during their Black History Month Program

The Boy Who Cried Werewolf is an interactive dance performance that unfolds with the audience! Inspired by the tabletop game One Night Werewolf by Bézier Games, and the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf, this dance invites the audience to solve the mystery that unfolds in front of them through the eyes of the characters from One Night Werewolf.

Frtrss Dance Theatre was able to present their first project during Ballet Legato's presentation of Giselle at Elyria High School Performing Arts Center during Mother's Day Weekend.

Our first project in Akron used a prayerful lament for a miracle and transplanted into a story involving a boy who encounters Love and Death three times in his life.

Thank You to Joe and Anna for their faith and story and praise God for their answered prayer!