Memphis is moving in a new way. Nine local arts organizations have come together under a new initiative called Dance Memphis, designed to strengthen and showcase the city’s vibrant dance community.
Led by ARTSmemphis, the collaboration brings together Ballet Memphis, Collage Dance, New Ballet Ensemble & School, Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC), Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Orpheum Theatre Group, Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary’s, and the University of Memphis Department of Theatre and Dance.
“Dance Memphis is about more than performance, it’s about impact,” said ARTSmemphis president and CEO Elizabeth Rouse. “By working together, we can elevate the city’s dance culture and drive more engagement across our community.”
The initiative launches with a centralized calendar that spotlights dance performances and events across the city — making it easier than ever for Memphians to connect with the art form.
Upcoming highlights include the Orpheum’s Tablao Flamenco (Sept. 25), Ballet Memphis’ Macbeth (Oct. 10), and Collage Dance’s Let It Fall (Oct. 10).
Local leaders see this effort as a game-changer. “A rising tide lifts all boats, and Dance Memphis is that tide,” said Collage Dance executive director Marcellus Harper. “Just as Memphis’ music has moved the world, our dance community has the power to do the same.”
By sharing resources and uniting voices, Dance Memphis aims to expand access to education, performances, and collaboration — affirming Memphis’ place as a creative capital of the South.
