Embrace: A Season of Connection
CINCINNATI, OH — Mutual Dance Theatre (formerly known as Contemporary Dance Theater and MamLuft&Co. Dance until their merger in fall of 2021) announces its 2025–2026 season, Embrace: A Season of Connection. The four productions bring nationally- and internationally-recognized Modern and Contemporary Dance to Cincinnati, including performances by guest companies, as well as commissions of numerous choreographers who will create work on the company’s local artists.
Running from October 3, 2025 to May 2, 2026, the season’s theme points to our undeniable connections, in all their complexity and power. Mutual Dance Theatre’s resident company and two guest companies (who are presented in our Jefferson James Contemporary Dance Theater Series) will examine connection in some of its many forms: the reciprocal reliance of bodies in choreography, the deep resonance of shared stories, and the collective experience of live performance.
“Embrace is more than a season theme: it’s an invitation,” says Jeanne Mam-Luft, Mutual Dance Theatre’s Artistic and Executive Director. “We want audiences to feel the deep, human connections that contemporary dance can reveal and to experience the rich perspectives we uniquely bring to Cincinnati.”
Highlights of the season and related community events include:
- Two acclaimed guest companies, both of who will be making their first appearances in Cincinnati: the riveting Deeply Rooted Dance Theater of Chicago (October 3-4, 2025) and the sensationally popular Yue Yin Dance Company of New York City (February 20-21, 2026).
- Two productions of world premieres performed by Mutual Dance Theatre’s highly talented resident company: the perennially-sold-out Up-Close (December 4-13, 2025) and the bold Modern Mix (May 1-2, 2026), featuring works by a Princess Grace Honoraria recipient, an artist voted “Best Choreographer” in Chicago by Chicago Reader, a former Phantom of the Opera touring cast member, and more.
- Fascinating and approachable audience talk-backs.
- Masterclasses and community classes that offer audiences chances to connect to each other and artists.
Season Details
All performances take place at 7:30pm at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, except for Up-Close, which takes place at Mutual Arts Center Hartwell.
Presenting Deeply Rooted Dance Theater of Chicago: October 3-4, 2025
Richly dramatic, riveting, and culturally resonant.
Hailed as a “major force” in Chicago dance, and described as richly dramatic, riveting, and culturally resonant, Deeply Rooted’s large company commands the stage.
Mutual Dance Theatre in Up-Close ’25: December 4-13, 2025
Sold-out every year, a fourth-wall-breaking experience.
Unlike any other show in the season. World premieres: Breath, Flesh, and Bone / A Manual for Lovers at the end of the world (by Crystal Michelle, a Princess Grace Honoraria recipient) and Look Thrice (by Hannah Williamson, known for crafting mysterious journeys).
Presenting Yue Yin Dance Company of New York: February 20-21, 2026
A sensation, mesmerizing and “goosebump-inducing.”
Speak with any young dance artist today, and they will recognize Yue Yin immediately. YYDC is a sensation capturing the attention of over 80,000 fans across the globe. Described as “gasp-provoking,” “modern dance of the highest quality,” and “goosebump-inducing.”
Mutual Dance Theatre in Modern Mix ’26: May 1-2 2026
A tour-de-force and spectrum of invigorating voices.
A tour-de-force of curated talent with world premieres by: Joshua Ishmon (Chicago, “Best Choreographer” Chicago Reader), Shane Ohmer (Philadelphia, Les Grands Ballet Canadiens, Phantom of the Opera, and more), and Nat Wilson (New York, YYD, Kibbutz Contemporary Dance, ZviDance, Visceral, and more).
Season Subscriptions
This year’s lineup features nationally-acclaimed guest companies from across the country alongside the bold artistry of Mutual Dance Theatre, the resident company; our season subscriptions offer audiences an amazing package deal and first dibs at premium seating:
- Starting at just $100 for a 3-show package.
- Audiences can save time and money while also supporting the non-profit arts organization.
- Subscribers secure the best seats, including the new Director’s Choice Seats, hand-picked by Artistic Director Jeanne Mam-Luft.
- An add-on offers first access to Up-Close, which features very limited seating and sells out each year.
Season subscriptions are available now at: mutualdance.org/subscription or at the Aronoff Center box office at (513) 621-ARTS or 650 Walnut Street.
For the full schedule and more details, visit: mutualdance.org/performances.
Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers’ work is made possible by: the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the annual ArtsWave Campaign, the region’s primary source for arts funding; an investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council, a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically; and individual donors.
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About Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers
Mutual Dance Theatre is the city’s longest-running and most consistent Modern Dance organization, both as a presenter and a resident company. MDT was formerly known as Contemporary Dance Theater (est. 1972 by Jefferson James) and MamLuft&Co. Dance (est. 2007 by Jeanne Mam-Luft) until their merger in 2021. Both organizations began as performing troupes, but in the early ‘90s, CDT dissolved its company and subsequently focused on presenting guest artists. The two organizations joined to create the aptly-named Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers, taking enumeration from its elder half and thus celebrating its 54th season in 25-26. Mutual has honored and combined the priorities of both founding organizations: investing in a virtuosic local company with the aim of becoming a significant presence both locally and nationally, as well as the continued presentation of Modern and Contemporary Dance from across the States (and sometimes, beyond). Mutual also reaches thousands of children each year through education and its academy, as well as charity-supported outreach. Learn more at mutualdance.org.
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 