MISSION & VISION

We want to hear different voices, see different cultural expressions of dance, listen to music from around the world and work with dancers from diverse backgrounds to give depth to and enrich our art and our community.  We celebrate the differences as well as the commonalities of artists, audiences and associates as a means to fulfill our mission to transform through discovery.  To this end, we actively pursue collaborations with organizations, dance companies and artists who represent the rich fabric of diversity that reflects the Los Angeles area in which DS&D is based.  The company is committed to presenting culturally diverse dance companies and has produced programs that include choreographers and cultures that represent not only the broad range of cultures within America but also India, the Middle East, Mexico, Peru, Africa, the Philippines and various indigenous groups of the South Pacific.  Some of our dances specifically address cultural equity and inclusion, particularly “The Vortex” which is based on true stories of scientists who are women, people of color and/or gender fluid.  The board and dancers in the company itself reflect DS&D’s commitment to cultural inclusion and they respectively engage their community with our events.  Many of the scientists we work with are from different countries and represent a myriad of cultural backgrounds as do the organizations we partner with such as Charles Drew University which is one of the most diverse colleges in the country.   We recognize and acknowledge the impact that systemic racism has had in communities of color and pledge to listen and work with these communities in an effort to build a more equitable landscape. We believe art is an effective platform to address these issues creatively and through our programming we are committed to serve and incorporate BIPOC individuals and communities