Dance Series: Complexions Contemporary Ballet

Experience one of the most groundbreaking companies in American dance. Led by legends Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, Complexions Contemporary Ballet reinvents ballet by fusing classical technique with contemporary movement, street styles, jazz, and pop culture to create a vibrant, genre-defying performance. It features:

• Retro Suite, a high‑energy journey through the company’s most unforgettable works

• For Crying Out Loud, a raw new piece set to acoustic versions of U2’s Songs of Surrender—a powerful exploration of vulnerability and collective emotion

The result is an evening that pulses with rhythm, athleticism, and raw emotional clarity. With a company of 16 extraordinary dancers from diverse backgrounds, the ensemble celebrates individuality while creating a shared language that defies convention. Classical lines melt into street style, contemporary movement collides with rock and roll, and every piece feels urgent, alive, and undeniably current.

Critics around the world have taken notice. The Philadelphia Inquirer calls Complexions “matchless,” while The Guardian praises them as “game-changing… forging a path for what ballet can be instead of what it historically has been.” With choreography that amplifies music and emotion alike, their performances feel both elevated and electric.

Click here to learn more. Dance Series season tickets are on sale now. Experience the company redefining dance for a new era—right here in Des Moines.