A NEW GENERATION OF AMERICAN DANCE THEATER.
SHADES
SHADES DANCE THEATER PRESENTS: THE RETURN
A night where freedom feels like music, and music feels like home. June 19-20, 2026
This Juneteenth 2026, Shades Dance Theater will return to Atlanta with a main stage performance packed with world premieres, moving through jazz, R&B, soul, and hip-hop — the music we grew up on, danced forward.
Join us for THE RETURN, June 19–20 2026 at the KSU Dance Theater
OUR STORY
ABOUT US
Founded in 2020, Shades Dance Theater is a repertory dance company rooted in storytelling. The company blends classical precision and contemporary technique with influences from the African diaspora, creating bold, signature works that bring emotionally resonant and innovative narratives to life. Drawing inspiration from iconic music across genres and generations - often dancing to artists such as Marvin Gaye, Lisa Gerrard, and Jay-Z - Shades’ repertory celebrates the human spirit and connects audiences from New York City to Atlanta, GA.
FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
CAMERON TERRY
Cameron Terry is the Founder and Executive Artistic Director of Shades Dance Theater. An Atlanta native and accomplished arts entrepreneur, Cameron founded Shades in 2020 to champion innovative storytelling that transcends background and speaks to shared humanity.
Cameron holds a BFA in Modern Dance Performance from the University of Oklahoma and an MA in Performing Arts Administration from New York University. His signature choreographic voice is a dynamic hybrid, blending the technical rigor of classical ballet, the sharp lines of Horton technique, and the grounded groove of West African dance. Cameron’s work carries historical reference and call-back, often set to the soulful sounds of eras past, allowing Shades Dance Theater’s repertory to look both forward and back, where legacy and innovation live in the same body.
Known for a leadership style rooted in clarity, purpose, and a holistic attention to detail—from choreography to technical production—Cameron is positioning Shades Dance Theater as a defining force in the next generation of American dance.
SIGNATURE PIECES
“I want my works to be able to withstand time.” - Cameron Terry
ANGELS DANCING AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN
A deeply moving story of grief and loss, featuring music by Lisa Gerrard. Created in honor of loved ones lost, the work invites audiences to see themselves in shared sorrow and healing.
SERENADE
Serenade brings romance and devotion to the stage through the rich harmonies of Boyz II Men. A heartfelt expression of love, the work turns movement into a declaration.
MR. & MR. POPPY
Mr. & Mr. Poppy was first created in 2019 and completed in 2023 for Shades Dance Theater’s Love, Fantasy, and Euphoria. The work is the company’s first LGBTQ+ love story and a celebration of Black male love. Exploring softness, discovery, and tenderness, it has become one of Shades’ fan favorites.
HARLAN
HARLAN honors Nelson Kendall, a devoted jazz lover, with the vibrant sounds of a New Orleans brass band. The company’s first jazz work bursts with rhythm, groove, and bold musicality. “Nelson wouldn’t want us to be sad,” Terry says. “So we gotta dance!”
2026 COMPANY
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CHIANNE D. RICE
Houston, TX
A graduate of Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and a current Ailey/Fordham BFA student, Chianne has refined her artistry at the Alonzo King LINES Ballet and through works by Tamisha Guy. She has graced prestigious stages including New York City Center with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Schomburg Center with HopeBoykinDance. This is Chianne’s first season with Shades Dance Theater.
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SOPHIA COOPER
Lexington, KY
Sophia is an Ailey/Fordham BFA student who has performed at Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall. Her professional credits include Alvin Ailey’s Memoria, Harrison Guy’s We Know the Sound of Forgiveness, and collaborative works with Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance. This is Sophia’s first season with Shades Dance Theater.
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JORDAN BLACK
Baltimore, MD
A Baltimore native and Marymount Manhattan College alumna, Jordan is a versatile movement artist who has performed works by Sekou McMiller and Jon Lehrer. In addition to her freelance career and work with the Julia Kane Dance Collective, she shares her expertise as a ballet instructor at Bronx House. This is Jordan’s first season with Shades Dance Theater.
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CALEB BURKS
Southfield, MI
Caleb is a Juilliard BFA candidate who holds the highest commendations in the Cecchetti ballet method. His expansive training includes scholarships with Complexions Contemporary Ballet and Alonzo King LINES Ballet, fueling a style defined by intention and adaptability. This is Caleb’s first season with Shades Dance Theater.
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KABRIA HOLLAND
Lorton, VA
Kabria’s distinguished background includes training at The Washington School of Ballet and performing with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Her artistry has been spotlighted in Pointe Magazine and Brown Girls Do Ballet, and she is a recent graduate of The Ailey School’s certificate program. This is Kabria’s first season with Shades Dance Theater.
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LAYLA BARBER
Weiden in der Oberpfalz, Germany
Layla is in her final year at The Ailey School under the direction of Melanie Person and Tracy Inman. She has collaborated with industry titans like Alonzo King and Christopher Huggins at venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to Cowell Theater. Beyond the stage, she has represented Bloch dancewear as a social media ambassador and trained extensively with The Washington Ballet. This is Layla’s first season with Shades Dance Theater.
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DARIUS CORBETT
Baltimore, MD
Darius is a Baltimore School for the Arts graduate and Ailey School scholarship student who has toured nationally in The Sleeping Beauty. His performance highlights include roles choreographed by Amy Hall Garner and appearances on the iconic Carnegie Hall stage. This is Darius’s first season with Shades Dance Theater.
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DOMINIC ROBERTS
Atlantic County, NJ
An Afro-Latino artist and Ailey/Fordham graduate, Dominic has performed works by Crystal Pite and Kyle Abraham at Jacob’s Pillow. He is a Springboard Danse Montréal alum dedicated to using movement as a tool for social activism and accessibility. This is Dominic’s first season with Shades Dance Theater.
