Choreographer, Shannon Hummel

Artistic Statement

​​“I create choreography and artistic practices that open space for intimacy, vulnerability, human connection, and both personal and communal revelation. This process begins with detailed physical conversations between myself and the dancers. My happy place is with them. I find my deepest joy in watching their individual voices, creativity, and intentions shine through the movement—until the work no longer feels like mine, but theirs. In this collaborative ‘giving away’ of dance, I get to tell a story and receive one at the same time.

I love being pulled through the expectation and surprise of a story—aligning seemingly disparate ideas into emotionally resonant, universal truths. I’m most drawn to the moments where we fall short, misread, overshoot, or underestimate—and yet, through love, chance, or grit, we continue on. Unpacking the emotional value of each moment is what I bring to dance, and what dance gives back to me. It offers me truth, clarity, and a self-understanding I can’t find any other way.

Beyond what I make, I think deeply about how I share it and with whom. I love using my work as a tool for broader dance appreciation—offering it in unapologetically accessible ways, often “planting” dances among audiences who may not see dance as relevant, but are surprised to experience it with emotional familiarity, humor, and curiosity. The dancers and I are excited for viewers to trust their own experience of what they see. We prioritize space for reflection, inquiry, and relationship-building after performances. We want to know people—and hopefully, inspire them to seek out dance in the future and embrace it as a surprising and vital part of their lives and communities.”

— Shannon Hummel, Founder, Professional Company and Mobile Programs Director