ST. LOUIS — Contemporary dance is one of many forms that make up the St. Louis performing arts scene.

The highly decorated Big Muddy Dance Company, which has been around since 2010, will open its 2023-24 season entitled “BECOMING” this upcoming fall.     

They are redefining identity by celebrating diversity under the direction of a renowned artistic director Kirvin Douthit-Boyd.

This year through next, dancers will train under choreographers from South Africa, Los Angeles, and New York.

“Every day is different. Every day looks different, and every day feels different and I’m a different version of myself,” said Nyna Moore, joining the ensemble for the first time this season.

The Denver native will join 15 other creatives from St. Louis and around the globe.

“I found them on Instagram, I was looking for auditions and trying to figure out what my next steps were um after graduating from college,” she said.

“I think that St. Louis is a fantastic arts city and something that could really galvanize the art scene is the inclusion of contemporary dance with how it uses stage acting, text, voice,” said Gorrell Lawyer-Jefferson.

The 33-year-old is inspired to inspire and noted it was the work that Douthit-Boyd and other leadership were doing to promote connectivity within the community that convinced him to make St. Louis home.

“I feel like I am kind of paying it forward. Being here. Being an anchor for a lot of people,” Lawyer-Jefferson added.